Timeline for the German Studies Ph.D.

Suggested timeline for students entering the PhD program with an MA

Year 1 
Coursework 

Fall:

  • Enroll in 6-9 hrs. of coursework, including GRMN 5020 (taken the fall semester in which you will be teaching language); the 6-9 hours can also include a course in your secondary concentration.
  • Take course for second language requirement, if needed.

Spring:

  • Enroll in 6-9 hrs. of coursework, a course for your secondary concentration, and (if still needed) one course with pre-1900 content.
  • Take course for second language requirement, if needed.
  • Consult thesis chair and Assoc. Chair about applying for DAAD and Fulbright grants in fall of year 2.
  • Consult thesis chair and Assoc. Chair about internships for year 2.
Year 2 
Qualifying Paper and Exam 

Fall:

  • Recommended internship**
  • Take course for second language requirement, if needed.
  • Apply for Fulbright and DAAD, deadlines in Sept. and Oct.
  • Apply for university dissertation fellowships.

Spring:

  • Dissertation hours, if needed*
  • Recommended internship**
  • Take course for second language requirement, if needed.
  • Submit your Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree (online form) at least two weeks before your first comprehensive exam.
  • Comprehensive exams.
Year 3 
Dissertation 

Fall:

  • Study abroad on DAAD, Fulbright or CU program (recommended)
  • Dissertation prospectus defense
  • Dissertation research and writing*

Spring:

  • Study abroad on DAAD, Fulbright or CU program (recommended).
  • Dissertation research and writing*
Year 4 
Dissertation 

Fall:

  • Dissertation research and writing*
  • Recommended internship**

Spring:

  • Dissertation research and writing*
Year 5 
Dissertation 

Fall:

  • Dissertation research and writing*
  • Recommended internship**

Spring:

  • Dissertation research and writing*
  • Schedule your dissertation defense (see Graduation Deadlines): Contract the Graduate Program Assistant for information on scheduling your dissertation defense.  This should be done during the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate.
  • Apply for graduation online.  (See Graduation Deadlines.)
  • Defend dissertation and submit final dissertation and Thesis Approval form (TAF) online by Graduate School Deadline.

*Dissertation hours: To register for dissertation hours, e-mail the Graduate Program Assistant the number of hours you would like to register for, and the name of your dissertation advisor. You must register for a total of 30 dissertation hours in order to graduate. You may not register for more than 10 dissertation credit hours in any one semester. No more than 10 credit hours taken prior to the semester in which the comprehensive exam is passed may be counted toward the 30 dissertation hours required for the degree. You must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 dissertation hours during the semester in which you defend your dissertation (including summer session, if the defense is held over the summer). 

You are required to register continuously for a minimum of five dissertation hours in the fall and spring semesters of each year, beginning with the semester following the passing of the comprehensive exam and extending through the semester in which you successfully defend your dissertation.

A student not required to maintain full-time status and not using campus facilities may claim off-campus status. In such cases, registration for three rather than the minimum of five dissertation credit hours is allowed. Off-campus status (3 credits of dissertation hours) is considered part-time. All University considerations for part-time status apply.

A student who fails to register continuously for dissertation credit hours after passing the comprehensive exam must retake and pass the exam, and validate any coursework more than five years old, to regain status as a student in good standing with the graduate school. At its discretion, the department may petition the Dean of the Graduate School for a time limit for completion of all degree requirements of up to one year after retaking of the comprehensive exam. The department must petition the Dean of the Graduate School to waive the requirement to retake the comprehensive exam.

**You are strongly encouraged to enroll in an internship for at least one semester during your doctoral studies.  Up to 3 internship credits may be applied toward PhD coursework.  Internships may also be taken during the summer, but students enrolling in summer internship hours do not receive tuition remission.