Typically,
students taking coursework enroll in three courses each semester (a
minimum of two per semester is required for even part-time students).
Taking fewer courses than this will substantially add to one's degree
completion time and requires permission from the Ph.D. program
director. It is the view of the program faculty that a student must be
immersed in doctoral studies to properly attain this education, and
taking one course per semester simply does not facilitate that.
Preliminary Dissertation Proposal
Within
12 months of completion of qualifying exams, a dissertation adviser and
partial dissertation committee must be composed, and a Preliminary
Dissertation Proposal approved and scheduled for public presentation.
Final Dissertation Proposal
The Final Dissertation Proposal must be completed and approved by the
dissertation adviser and committee within 18 months of completion of
the qualifying exams.
Seven-Year Rule for Completion of All Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
The Graduate School-New Brunswick specifies that all requirements for the Ph.D. degree, including successful defense and presentation of the dissertation, be completed within seven years of matriculation in a program of the graduate school. The Graduate School-New Brunswick Seven Year Rule policy on completion of the dissertation applies to both full-time and part-time students. Under exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted by the graduate school, upon application. It is the student's responsibility to file for such extensions, which must be approved by the program director and the Graduate School-New Brunswick. The graduate school has additional constraints imposed on students taking more than 10 years to complete their doctorate. The program is structured in a way that should allow all doctoral students to complete their studies within the seven-year window (and ideally much sooner).
Sample Timelines
The samples below are rough guides of possible pathways for students. A student's path through the program depends heavily on his or her interests and guidance from an adviser.
Sample 4-Year Program Completion Timeline
(This timeline assumes 9 credits each semester [full time] and transfer of 21 master's-level credits)
Year 1
Fall: 601, 602, 1 area requirement
Spring: 603 and/or 605, 1 or 2 area requirements; file for transfer of credits at end of semester; select initial adviser if one not assigned
Year 2
Fall: 604 if required, 2 or 3 area requirements
Spring: 608 (Practicum), 2 area requirements; present Practicum findings
Year 3
Fall: Prepare, take, and defend qualifying exams
Spring: Dissertation preproposal presentation; form remainder of dissertation committee
Year 4
Fall: Dissertation proposal approved
Spring: Dissertation finished/defended/presented
Sample 6-Year Program Completion Timeline
(This timeline assumes 6 credits each semester [part-time] and transfer of 21 master's-level credits)
Year 1
Fall: 601, 602
Spring: 603 and/or 605, 0 or 1 area requirements; file for transfer of credits at end of semester; select initial adviser if one not assigned
Year 2
Fall: 604 if required, 1 or 2 area requirements
Spring: 2 area requirements
Year 3
Fall: 2 area requirements
Spring: 608 (Practicum), 1 area requirement
Year 4
Fall: Finish Practicum; begin exam preparation; present Practicum findings
Spring: Take and defend qualifying exams
Year 5
Fall: Dissertation preproposal presentation; form remainder of dissertation committee
Spring: Dissertation proposal approved
Year 6
Fall: Work on dissertation
Spring: Dissertation finished/defended/presented
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