Timeline for Major PhD. Reviews and Evaluations
Downloadable Program Guide
Following is a timetable that should be used as a guide to accomplishing needed tasks for the Ph.D. Degree in Learning Design and Technology. It includes dates for major reviews and evaluations by the faculty, the qualifying exam, preliminary exam, proposal, and dissertation.
Planning Course Work
Initially, meet with your temporary faculty advisor to begin planning the course work that you will pursue for your degree. You will meet with your advisor/committee chair prior to the beginning of each semester to plan course work.
Portfolio Review (if necessary)
If you did not satisfy the graduate competencies prior to entering Ph.D. study, you must develop a portfolio to demonstrate these competencies. Your portfolio will be reviewed by your advisor/committee chair when it is completed.
Annual Review
A yearly progress review will be conducted by the faculty in May. Student Progress Reports should be submitted by the end of spring semester.
Graduate Committee and Plan of Study
Formulate your graduate committee and create a Plan of Study to be filed with the Graduate School when about a third of the course work has been completed. The Plan of Study is first approved by your graduate committee and then by the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam
The purpose of the preliminary examination, integrating both written and oral components, is to assess your readiness to proceed with the independent research and writing that will lead to the completion of a satisfactory doctoral dissertation. It is normally taken near the end of course work for the degree. Specifics of the exam and its scheduling are determined in consultation with your graduate committee. At least two semesters must elapse between the preliminary exam and graduation.
Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is a formal proposal for dissertation work that is presented in writing and then orally to your graduate committee for suggestions and approval. The oral proposal meeting can occur no sooner than two weeks following the preliminary exam meeting.
Dissertation Defense/Final Exam
The dissertation defense is a formal meeting in which you present and defend your dissertation before your committee. It is scheduled in consultation with your committee when you have completed your dissertation and are prepared to finish the degree. A minimum of three weeks advance notice is required to schedule the defense date.