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	Departmental Advisor established. Algorithms prerequisite and all imports signed off.  Two new courses completed here.	Welcome!	Reminder that research advisor must be established no later than end of second semester. Reminder that two additional courses must be completed here every semester until breadth completed.  MS/PhD students reminded that they must pass sufficient 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 year students without a research advisor should work with one or more prospective advisors.	The faculty should try to identify “admissions mistakes” as early as possible.  Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program. Require substantial research progress next semester, and thereafter, or face dismissal.
FIRST SEMESTER < N < FIFTH SEMESTER	Total 2*N courses completed here until breadth requirement completed.	Good for you, keep it up!	The faculty should try to identify “admissions mistakes” as early as possible. Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program. Require passing specified number of additional courses 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 research advisor, so scheduling of student teaching units may depend on scheduling of  advisor’s teaching.
N = SECOND SEMESTER	Algorithms prerequisite completed.	Analysis of Algorithms is the core of Computer Science	Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program. Require completion next semester or face dismissal.
N = SECOND SEMESTER	Research advisor established.	Every doctoral student needs a research advisor to supervise their research.	Students without a research advisor at any time beyond their first year may be immediately dismissed or granted at most one more semester to find a research advisor before termination from the doctoral program.
N = THIRD SEMESTER	MS/PhD completed for students who entered without prior MS.	Students who have completed MS, here or elsewhere, should register for one RU every semester until six have been accumulated for MPhil.	Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program. Require completion next semester or face dismissal.
N = FIFTH SEMESTER	Breadth requirement completed.	Glad that’s over!	Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  Require breadth completion next semester or face dismissal.
N = SIXTH SEMESTER	Candidacy exam passed.	Now you’re a candidate!	Discuss at Semi-Annual Review. Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  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.	Discuss at Semi-Annual Review.
N = EIGHTH SEMESTER	Thesis proposal passed.	After both MPhil and thesis proposal have been completed, you are what they call “ABD” (All But Dissertation).	Discuss at Semi-Annual Review.  Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  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.	Discuss at Semi-Annual Review.  Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  Require sufficient progress on dissertation by specified time or face dismissal.
N = TWELFTH SEMESTER	Thesis defense passed.	Congrats!	Discuss at Semi-Annual Review.  Unsatisfactory progress,  probation or termination from the doctoral program.  Require distribution and defense by specified time or face dismissal. (DES students terminated by SEAS after 14th semester.)

Last updated on April 3, 2025.