Program Milestones

Master's Level Milestones

Non-Thesis Track: 
  1. Program of Study submission (annual revisions) 
  1. Comprehensive Examination Committee approval 
  1. Comprehensive examination and oral presentation 
  1. Degree conferral 
Thesis Track: 
  1. Program of Study submission (annual revisions) 
  1. Thesis Committee formation (typically same as Guidance Committee) 
  1. Thesis proposal and research 
  1. Thesis defense 
  1. Final document submission (TAD deadlines apply)

Doctoral Level Milestones

  1. Program of Study submission (annual revisions) 
  1. Comprehensive Examination Committee approval 
  1. Comprehensive examination and oral presentation 
  1. Prospectus submission (if applicable) 
  1. Dissertation proposal defense 
  1. Dissertation research and writing 
  1. Public dissertation defense 
  1. Final document submission (TAD requirements) 

Failure and Remediation

Comprehensive Exams/Defenses: 
  • Committee and director determine repeat eligibility 
  • Appeals available to Graduate College Dean 
  • Repeat attempts: 90 days or end of semester, whichever later 
  • Maximum two attempts typically allowed 
Academic Deficiency: 
  • Below required GPA triggers Graduate Catalog policies 
  • Graduate Committee may impose additional sanctions 
  • Appeals process: Associate Dean → Dean of Graduate College