PhD Timelines

The following are intended as sample PhD timelines for Graduate Teaching Associates and Fellows. Timelines for PhD students may vary. Student should meet regularly with their advisor to establish a timeline for graduation.

A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours are required for the PhD, of which 50 credit hours must be earned while in the program (up to 30 graduate credit hours may be transferred from another institution). These requirements will generally be met through the natural progression of coursework in collaboration with minimum enrollment requirements per semester. GTAs are required to enroll in a minimum of 8 credit hours per semester and 4 credit hours for Summer term, if they so choose (Summer term registration is not required for GTAs on nine-month appointments). Fellows are required to enroll in 12 credit hours each for Autumn and Spring semesters and 6 credit hours for Summer term.

Regular PhD Sample Timeline - Graduate Teaching Associate

First Year

• WGSST 7700 - Feminist Inquiry I
• WGSST 7702 - Feminist Pedagogy
• Elective
• Mid-Semester- Transfer Graduate Credit

• WGSST 7701 - Feminist Inquiry II
• WGSST 7760 - Feminist Inquiry: Methods
• WGSST 8163 - Teaching Practicum
• Elective
• Mid-Semester - Annual Review 

Summer Term

• Enrollment optional

Second Year

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

• Language requirement 
• Prepare for candidacy exams

Third Year

• Remaining language requirement
• Candidacy exam reading hours
• Candidacy exams
• Prior to exams - submit reading lists

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• File dissertation prospectus
• Mid-Semetser  - Annual Review

• Enrollment optional
• Seek additional funding opportunities

Fourth Year

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Work on dissertation/conduct field-work
• Secure additional funding

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Mid-Semetser  - Annual Review

• Enrollment optional
• Seek additional funding opportunities

Fifth Year

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Secure additional funding

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Defend Dissertation
• Start of Semester - application to graduate
• Prior to Defense - notification of final examination form
• After Defense - report of final examination form

Regular PhD Sample Timeline - Fellow

First Year

• WGSST 7700 - Feminist Inquiry I
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Mid-Semester- Transfer Graduate Credit

• WGSST 7701 - Feminist Inquiry II
• WGSST 7760 - Feminist Inquiry: Methods
• Elective
• Elective
• Mid-Semester - Annual Review 

Summer Term

• Elective

Second Year

Autumn Semester

• WGSST 7702 - Feminist Pedagogy
• Elective
• Elective

• Language requirement 
• Prepare for candidacy exams

Third Year

• Remaining language requirement
• Candidacy exam reading hours
• Candidacy exams
• Prior to exams - submit reading lists

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• File dissertation prospectus
• Mid-Semetser  - Annual Review

• Enrollment optional
• Seek additional funding opportunities

Fourth Year

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Work on dissertation/conduct field-work
• Secure additional funding

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Mid-Semetser  - Annual Review

• Enrollment optional
• Seek additional funding opportunities

Fifth Year

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Secure additional funding

• WGSST 8999 - Dissertation
• Defend Dissertation
• Start of Semester - application to graduate
• Prior to Defense - notification of final examination form
• After Defense - report of final examination form