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 MS/PhD, PhD or DES, referring to the end of the “Nth” semester. Semesters of 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. All “imports” signed off.  2 new breadth areas completed.	Welcome!	Satisfactory progress unless there’s a “severe” problem. Reminder that a mutually-agreed research advisor must be established no later than the end of the second semester. Reminder to complete imports, and that two new breadth areas per semester is required.
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!	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  First time: expect or require substantial attention to research during upcoming semester and thereafter. Second and subsequent repeats: probation or dismissal from program.
N >= FIRST SEMESTER	Two (2) teaching units must be completed sometime during the program.	Some students do additional teaching as a paid course assistant or teaching fellow after completion of the teaching requirement.	Most students assist their research advisor with whatever CS course they teach, so scheduling of a student’s teaching units depends on the scheduling of their advisor’s teaching assignments.
N = SECOND SEMESTER	Algorithms prerequisite completed.	Analysis of Algorithms is the core of Computer Science	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  Probation or dismissal from program.
FIRST SEMESTER < N < FIFTH SEMESTER	Breadth requirement completed OR total 2*N breadth areas completed here (NOT counting “imports”)	Good for you, keep it up! If applicable, apply for your MS from SEAS and advanced standing from GSAS as soon as you’ve completed 4 core breath areas, 2 elective breadth areas and 30 graduate points.	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  First time: expect or require a specified number of additional breadth areas completed the upcoming semester.  Second and subsequent repeats: probation or dismissal from program.
N = FIFTH SEMESTER	Breadth requirement completed.	Glad that’s over!	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  Place on or continue probation, require completion by end of upcoming semester or face dismissal from program.
N = SIXTH SEMESTER	Candidacy exam passed.	Now you’re a candidate. PhD students should apply for the MPhil as soon as possible after 6 RUs as well as all of the above requirements.	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  Place on or continue probation, require completion by end of upcoming semester or face dismissal from program.
N >= SIXTH SEMESTER	Target semester for thesis proposal defined.	You’re on course.	Discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.
N = EIGHTH SEMESTER	Thesis proposal passed.	Now you’re what they call “ABD” (All But Dissertation).	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  Place on or continue probation, require completion by end of upcoming semester or face dismissal from program.
N >= ELEVENTH SEMESTER	Dissertation distribution and defense “coming soon”.	There’s a light at the end of the tunnel!	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review.  Place on or continue probation, require plan for timely completion of dissertation or face dismissal from program.
N = TWELFTH SEMESTER	Thesis defense passed.	Congrats!	Unsatisfactory progress, discuss at the Semi-Annual Review. Place on or continue probation, require completion within a specified period or face dismissal from program.

Last updated on June 29, 2023.