The following reflects a common and recommend timeline for students to complete their Ph.D. degree and governs the scheduling of all components of your doctoral studies and dissertation research. Specific Graduate School deadline dates for each academic year can be found on the calendar.
Please refer to our program handbook for details on required forms to submit to Storrs at each milestone.
| Semesters 1-4 | Successfully complete formal coursework |
| Semester 2 | Prepare Plan of Study with major advisor |
| Semester 3 | Convene Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) |
| Semester 4 | Submit Plan of Study to the Public Health Office Assemble General Examination committee |
| Semester 5 | Develop and revise proposal for General Examination |
| Semester 6 | Complete written component of General Examination Complete oral defense of General Examination Submit draft dissertation prospectus to DAC |
| Semester 7 | Submit dissertation prospectus for external review (via Program Director) Conduct oral defense of dissertation prospectus Submit dissertation prospectus to public health office and they will send to the Graduate School after making a copy for your file |
| Semesters 7 & 8 | Commence dissertation research in full |
| Semester 8 | After final version of dissertation is approved by DAC, file Tentative Approval Page with Graduate School at least 7 days prior to oral defense Conduct oral defense of dissertation, which must occur at least three months after approval of dissertation prospectus by Storrs File final exam form with Graduate School and Public Health Sciences office Graduation! |