Common Questions

Common grad school questions

 

 

What is the typical timeline for a Ph.D.?

 

 

A Ph.D. program takes 5-6 years to finish on average.  During that time, you will complete course work, choose a thesis lab, TA classes, pass a qualifying exam, and defend your thesis.  Below is a typical graduate school timeline. Not all programs follow this exact layout; some differ on the amount of required teaching or the nature of the qualifying exam. Consider these differences when choosing between schools.

 

Year 1
  • Take required core courses offered by your program.
  • Complete three different lab rotations (one per quarter) and decide on a thesis lab.
  • Participate and present in journal clubs.

 

Year 2
  • Finish required core courses and take elective requirements.
  • TA one or more classes (programs differ significantly on their teaching requirements, but usually they require one or two quarters).
  • Research in your thesis lab.
  • Present in journal clubs.
  • Pass an oral qualifying exam (pitching a project proposal based on your current research) in order to be able to continue thesis research.

 

Year 3 – 5ish
  • Continue thesis research and meet with your thesis committee yearly.
  • Defend your thesis and graduate!

^Back to Top