Students in all areas of study must pass a preliminary exam upon completion of their major and minor coursework requirements, usually administered at the end of the second year of study. While each department conducts preliminary exams in its own unique way, all students must pass the preliminary exam to successfully progress in the program.
Information on specific requirements and expectations are available from your advisor.
Teaching Requirements
Teaching will be an integral part of your training to become a tenure-track university professor. Teaching expectations and responsibilities vary by academic department. Each doctoral student will serve as the professor in charge for at least one course during their time in the program.
Most students also work as teaching assistants. Duties will vary, and might include helping a faculty member with grading and class preparation, leading discussion sections, and holding office hours to support undergraduate students.
Dissertation Defense
To successfully complete the program and obtain the degree, each doctoral candidate must successfully defend the dissertation to the dissertation committee and submit the dissertation to the Graduate School for review and archiving.
Dissertators must defend and deposit their dissertation no more than five years from the date of the preliminary examination.