Ph.D. students, first year

• Attend orientation sessions.
• Get advice on which courses to take.
• Seek funding and employment opportunities.
• Meet faculty members who are doing research that interests you and take their classes.
• By the end of the first year, submit a plan of study to your graduate chair.

Ph.D. students, later years

• Confirm who your academic advisor is and work together to finalize a research topic.
• Take the Russ College's graduate writing course.
• Select faculty members to serve on your dissertation committee.
• Schedule and take your comprehensive exam.
• Develop and obtain approval for your research project.
• Take steps to develop and defend your dissertation.