Timeline for Degree Completion

Milestone	We expect you to complete the milestone by the end of…	You will be making only borderline progress if you complete the milestone by the end of…	You will be dismissed from the program if you fail to complete the milestone by the end of…
Approved thesis proposal	2 semesters after entering	3 semesters after entering	4 semesters after entering
M.A.	4 semesters after entering	5 semesters after entering	6 semesters after entering
Comps	2 semesters after M.A./passing qualifying exam	3 semesters after M.A./passing qualifying exam	4 semesters after M.A./passing qualifying exam
Approved Dissertation Proposal	2 semesters after completing comps	3 semesters after completing comps	4 semesters after completing comps

• Semesters refer to fall and spring semesters, only. Summers are not included in the timeline. For example, a student who entered the program in fall ’07 and defended his or her thesis in August ’09 would have met the “acceptable completion” criterion.
• Students who fail to meet the deadlines in the middle column for any milestone will receive a letter from the Graduate Committee notifying the student that he or she is making unsatisfactory progress toward the degree.
• Deadlines may be modified in situations deemed to be truly exceptional by the faculty of the Department of Psychology.