How do I get a doctorate?   It's a 12-step program!

Ok!  You asked for it:

How long will it take me?   Time depends on the student.  Coursework is an easy estimate.  Most students complete their courses in approximately 2-3 years.  Coursework is easy  -- the dissertation is the tough part.  Once you finish your coursework and start your dissertation no one hassles you to write each week, turn-in homework, or gives you a grade at the end of the semester.  Repeat this each morning before you brush your teeth:

I will not graduate without completing my dissertation!
I will not graduate without completing my dissertation!
I will not graduate without completing my dissertation!

 . . .many students lose sight of this fact!

Your first day of doctoral coursework is NOT too early to begin thinking about your dissertation.  You are capable of defending your formal dissertation proposal within weeks of passing your qualifying exams (yes, people have done this).   I have seen students complete a quality doctoral program in as little as 3.5 years.  I've also seen students stop after 10 years.

Four to six years is a typical completion time if you are steadily working on your dissertation.   The ATTD program does have criterion for satisfactory progress specified in the ATTD Doctoral Handbook in the section titled "Satisfactory Progress".  A student who fails to make satisfactory progress (as determined by the major professor, in consultation with the program coordinator) will be removed from the doctoral program.

Simply put...the timeline above is the process. But I know, your thinking....

Ok, Ok....but, what are the Steps?

1.  Admissions to the doctoral program. 

The admissions procedures are contained on the doctoral admissions page.   The admissions process into the doctoral program is long, detailed, and comprehensive.   It is not only an important decision for the student -- it's an important decision for the faculty and students in the program.   Doctoral student contribute to the quality of a doctoral program.   Our doctoral program depends on our admissions process.

2.  Meet with the program coordinator to determine a major professor.

This is an early decision in your doctoral program, yet it is probably the most important decision of your doctoral program.  Your major professor will work very closely with you as your progress in your program and begin working on your dissertation.

3.  Choose a dissertation committee.

Your major professor will work with you to determine your doctoral committee.   This committee will approve the courses contained on your degree plan.  It is important to choose your committee very early in your doctoral program process.  Until your committee is chosen, and your degree plan is filed, you have no assurance that the courses that you are completing will count toward your degree requirement. 

4.  File your official degree plan.

Your major professor will work with you to create your official degree plan.  This degree plan must be approved by your doctoral committee.

5.  Complete your coursework and begin thinking about your dissertation topic.

On average, coursework should take a student 2-3 years depending on the number of courses that they take each semester.   I know that it's a simple equation, but . . .

number of course on your degree plan minus doctoral dissertation hours (12 hours)

total of above divided by number of hours per semester you plan to take

equals the number of semester to needed to complete your coursework

6.  Pass your Written qualifying exams.

Many of our students will take a one or more semester in serious study for the written qualifying exams.   The written qualifying exams are a comprehensive exam of the knowledge that you gained during your coursework.  Further, it measure your knowledge of your field of study based on your workplace skills.

7.  Pass your Oral qualifying exams.

Oral qualifying exams are the second part of the qualifying exam process that allows your committee to further clarify your written examination questions.

8. Complete and receive approval of your dissertation mini-proposal.

The ATTD program is unique in requiring that student complete a dissertation mini-proposal prior to the formal dissertation proposal.  This allows the graduate faculty to provide you informal feedback on the direction of your topic and the viability of successful defense.

9.  Complete and defend your dissertation proposal.

10.  Complete your dissertation.

11.  Defend your dissertation.*

12.  Graduation

* NOTE:  You are required to complete ALL degree requirement within 10 years of taking your first degree plan course. (For example:  first degree plan course is Spring 2005, you must complete your degree program by Spring 2015).