University of Minnesota
Department of English
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Department of English

Home > Graduate Studies > Degree Programs > Ph.D. : Checklist

Ph.D. Progress Checklist

Department of English
Timely Progress Towards the PhD Checklist

Year 1
      ___ Meet the general requirements listed at the end of this form.

Year 2
     By 12/15:
     ___ Choose your Permanent Advisor and inform the DGS Assistant via email.
     By 3/15:
     ___ In consultation with your Advisor, assemble your Preliminary Oral Defense Committee (four total: three members from English and one member from an outside department). The committee must be listed on your Degree Program form.
     ___ File the Degree Program Transmittal form with the Graduate School.

Year 3
     By 12/15:
     ___ Satisfy the language requirement of proficiency in one foreign language or a reading knowledge of two foreign languages.
     ___ Provide your Reading List to your Oral Defense Committee and have each member sign and return a copy of the list to DGS Assistant.
     By 4/15:
     ___ Formally schedule and sit for your Preliminary Written Examination.
     By 5/15:
     ___ Provide your Preliminary Written Examination to your Preliminary Oral Defense Committee.
     ___ Submit the Preliminary Written Examination Reports to the Graduate School.
     ___ Formally schedule your Preliminary Oral Examination with the Graduate School (one week prior to the proposed exam date).
     ___ Sit for your Preliminary Oral Examination.

Year 4
     By 12/15:
     ___ Submit your Dissertation Prospectus and file it with the department.
     ___ File the Thesis Proposal Transmittal form with the Graduate School. The Thesis Proposal Transmittal Form also lists your Final Dissertation Exam Committee members.

Year 5 and Beyond
     ___ Complete your research and writing, and submit your dissertation to your Dissertation Readers.
     ___ Request a Graduation Package from the Graduate School.
     ___ File the Thesis Reviewer's Report and schedule the Final Oral Defense with the Graduate School at least one week prior to the defense.
     ___ File the Final Oral Examination Report with the Graduate School (one working Day after defense).
     ___ Submit an Application for Degree Form to the Graduate School by the first working day of intended graduation month.
     ___ Submit two copies of the Thesis Abstract, two copies of the Thesis (signed by Advisors) plus the Microfilm Agreement form and the Survey of Earned Doctorates form to the Graduate School.

General Requirements
     ___ Keep your GPA above 3.0
     ___ Carry no more than 9 incomplete credits at any one time.
     ___ Take required courses and complete all required credits.
     ___ Meet regularly with your advisor (at least two times a year).