Key Milestones of the PhD Program
Meeting these milestones on time constitutes adequate progress toward the PhD degree.
- Pass the MS final exam before the start of year 2.
- Petition to go through the PhD qualifying procedure and get admitted to the PhD program in year 2 or earlier. (The student will receive an MS degree in Statistics upon fulfilling all of the MS requirements while working towards their PhD.)
- Pass the PhD comprehensive exam (prospectus) within 12-18 months (12 months is ideal, 18 months is acceptable) of being admitted to the PhD program.
- Write and defend dissertation within 24-30 months (24 months is ideal, 30 months is acceptable) of passing the prospectus.