The time schedule of events listed below should be considered as a guideline to help the student assess his or her rate of progress through the program of graduate study. It describes what is considered a normal chronological progression of events leading to the Ph.D. degree. If the student adopts these as objectives, completion of degree requirements may be facilitated:

1. Appointment of an M.A. committee during the first academic year.
2. Submission of a Master's thesis proposal before the end of the first semester of the second academic year.
3. Completion of all M.A. degree requirements by the end of the second academic year.
4. Selection of a Ph.D. advisory committee before the beginning of the third academic year.
5. Completion of the written doctoral comprehensive examination by the end of the third academic year followed by admission to doctoral candidacy.
6. Submission of doctoral dissertation proposal by the beginning of the fourth academic year.
7. Completion of all Ph.D. requirements by end of fourth academic year (or by end of the fifth year if clinical internship is required).