Milestones Towards Completing the Doctorate

This is intended to be an informal document, not policy.  In the case of any discrepancy between this chart and the written policy, the written policy shall apply.

Note: All timing requirements (“N”) are counted as semesters formally enrolled in the department’s doctoral program, whether enrolled as PhD, MS/PhD or DES unless otherwise noted, referring to the end of the “Nth” semester. Semesters of formally approved “leave of absence” are not counted.

BY END OF	MILESTONE	CONGRATS IF MILESTONE(S) SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED	REMEDY IF MILESTONE(S) NOT FULFILLED
N = FIRST SEMESTER	Advisor(s) established. Algorithms prerequisite and all imports signed off.  Two new courses completed here.	Welcome!	Reminders to complete prerequisite and import forms, and that two additional courses must be completed here every semester until breadth completed.  MS/PhD students reminded that they must pass six graduate lecture courses through regular registration for a grade, not comp exams or imports, within first three semesters.
N >= FIRST SEMESTER	“Satisfactory progress” on research, meaning at least 50% time devoted to research, with promising results.	Wonderful, this is what you’re here for!	First time: Unsatisfactory progress, expect or require substantial research progress during upcoming semester and thereafter.  Second and subsequent times: Probation, require substantial research progress next semester and every semester thereafter, or termination from program.
N = SECOND SEMESTER	Algorithms prerequisite completed.	Analysis of Algorithms is the core of Computer Science	Unsatisfactory progress or probation, require completion next semester or face dismissal.
FIRST SEMESTER < N < FIFTH SEMESTER	Total 2*N courses completed here every semester until breadth requirement completed.	Good for you, keep it up!  If applicable, apply for your MS from SEAS as soon as you expect to qualify.	First time: Unsatisfactory progress, require passing specified number of additional courses next semester or face dismissal. Second and subsequent times: Probation, require passing sufficient additional courses next semester and every semester thereafter until breadth completed, or termination from program.
N = FIFTH SEMESTER	Breadth requirement completed.	Glad that’s over!	Unsatisfactory progress or probation, require breadth completion next semester or face dismissal.
N >= FIRST SEMESTER	Two (2) teaching units must be completed, in the same or different semesters.	Some students do additional teaching as paid course assistant or teaching fellow after completion of teaching requirement.	Most students assist their departmental advisor, so scheduling of student teaching units may depend on scheduling of  advisor’s teaching.
N = SIXTH SEMESTER	Candidacy exam passed.	Now you’re a candidate!	Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  Expect or require passing candidacy exam next semester or face dismissal.
N >= SIXTH SEMESTER	Establish target semester(s) for remaining teaching units if not already completed. Establish plan for completion of MPhil if not already conferred.	You’re on course. PhD students should apply for MPhil after 6 RUs, 60 points, courses, candidacy and teaching done.	Talk to your advisor!
N = EIGHTH SEMESTER	Thesis proposal passed.	After both MPhil and thesis proposal have been completed, you are what they call “ABD” (All But Dissertation).	Unsatisfactory progress or  probation, require sufficient progress towards thesis proposal by specified time or face dismissal.
EIGHTH SEMESTER <= N < TWELFTH SEMESTER	Dissertation research and writing in progress, with distribution and defense “coming soon”.	There’s a light at the end of the tunnel!  Looking forward to defense.	Unsatisfactory progress or  probation, require sufficient progress on dissertation by specified time or face dismissal.
N = TWELFTH SEMESTER	Thesis defense passed.	Congrats!	Unsatisfactory progress or probation, require distribution and defense by specified time or face dismissal.

It is important to understand that the milestones above complement the directed research requirement, which applies every semester from the time the student enters the doctoral program until distribution of the dissertation.  To maintain “satisfactory progress”, the student must be up to date on both directed research (directed by the student’s research advisor(s)) and program milestones as illustrated below.

Milestones		Research
		Unsatisfactory	Unsatisfactory
		Unsatisfactory	Satisfactory

Last updated on July 1, 2026.