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  School of Communication and Information 2013–2015 Ph.D. Program in Communication, Information, and Library Studies Program Program Requirements Timelines for Completing Requirements  

Timelines for Completing Requirements


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

 
For additional information, contact RU-info at 732-445-info (4636) or colonel.henry@rutgers.edu.
Comments and corrections to: Campus Information Services.

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