PhD Timeline
Here's all the information you need to know to make sure you stay on track to get your Doctoral degree. The majority of your documentation is done through Seguidor. Make sure to review our Seguidor instructions before using it for the first time.
Degree Timeline
| Timing | Doctoral Degree Requirements | ||||||||
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As early as possible in your degree program |
Take GRAD 800 RCR Training (Responsible Conduct in Research) An email notification for registration will be sent to you for the Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) Program. Be sure to take action promptly after receiving the email, as registration is limited.
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Within 12 months after matriculation |
Prepare Individual Development Plan (IDP) Contact your Graduate Program Director to determine which IDP tool to use. Most UNMC programs recommend using myIDP. After completing all sections of the IDP, save the Certificate of Completion to your computer. You will need to upload the certificate into Seguidor. |
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Full-time: Within 12 months after matriculation Part-time: Within 18 months after matriculation |
Officially Designate Supervisor and Appoint Supervisory Committee Complete the Advisor/Supervisor Selection in Seguidor. After Supervisor is approved by the Dean, proceed to Advisory/Supervisory Committee Member Selection. Approval of Supervisory Committee composition by the Dean for Graduate Studies must occur before the initial committee meeting. |
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Full-time: Within one month of selecting a supervisor Part-time: Within one month of selecting a supervisor |
Complete Compact with Supervisor Complete the Compact with Supervisor and upload into Seguidor. |
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Full-time: Within 13 months after matriculation Part-time: Within 19 months after matriculation |
Meet with Supervisory Committee and Submit Approved Program of Studies In Seguidor, you schedule the Supervisory Committee Meeting to discuss required/recommended coursework and your general research direction. Construct your Program of Studies and compose and upload meeting minutes into Seguidor. |
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Every six months until completion of degree |
Schedule Semi-Annual Meetings of the Supervisory Committee In Seguidor, you schedule the Supervisory Committee Meeting to provide a short summary of progress since the most recent meeting (such as updates on research data, coursework, publications, presentations, and awards) and Supervisory Committee offers feedback. You compose and upload all meeting minutes into Seguidor. |
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At least 2 weeks prior to the examination Full-time PhD students who matriculated after fall 2018 must attempt the exam before the end of their third year of study. Part-time students who matriculated after fall 2018 must attempt the exam before the end of their fourth year of study. The Comprehensive Exam must be completed at least seven months, but no more than four years, prior to the dissertation defense. |
Request Comprehensive Examination Complete the Exam Committee/Schedule for the Comprehensive Exam via Seguidor. Contact the Program Director for any program-specific requirements regarding the composition of the Comprehensive Exam Committee. Using the Examination Rubric as a guide, your committee, or committee chair will assess the Graduate Studies Learning Objectives and provide feedback to you. Ensure that your exam committee has reported the results within seven days after completion of the exam. Results must be reported via the Exam Grade Page in Seguidor. Any member of the Exam Committee may submit the results on behalf of the entire Committee. Review the comprehensive examination & admission to candidacy requirements for additional information. |
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Approximately four to six months before the dissertation defense |
Obtain Current Dissertation and Graduation Instructions Download the Dissertation & Graduation Instructions for PhD Students for information on final exam timeline and procedures and dissertation format requirements. |
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By February 10 for May graduation By June 10 for August graduation By October 10 for December graduation |
Apply for Graduation Complete the Degree Application and pay the Degree Application Fee via MyRecords. |
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At least four weeks before the dissertation defense (Final Oral Exam) |
Distribute Dissertation to the Supervisory Committee Distribute your dissertation. Members of the Supervisory Committee should provide feedback within two weeks of receiving the document if there are major deficiencies. |
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At least two weeks before the Final Oral Exam and four weeks before Commencement |
Submit Request for Final Oral Exam Complete Exam Committee/Schedule for the Final Oral Exam via Seguidor. Ensure your exam committee has reported the results within 7 days after completion of the exam. Results must be reported via the Exam Grade Page in Seguidor. Any member of the Exam Committee may submit the results on behalf of the entire Committee. |
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No later than one week before Commencement |
Submit Graduation Documentation
Complete instructions can be found in the Dissertation & Graduation Instructions for PhD Students. |
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Typically one to two days before Commencement |
Celebrate Your Accomplishments Attend the Graduate Studies Honors Convocation Ceremony (in May for spring graduates; in December for summer and fall graduates). |
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At the end of the semester in which you satisfy your degree requirements |
Awarding of the Doctoral Degree Attend the UNMC Commencement Ceremony (in May for spring graduates; in December for summer and fall graduates). |