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All Northwestern University graduate students, whatever degree they seek, must fulfill a set of requirements regarding residency, approved courses, grades, and filing requirements for graduation.
In addition to requirements directly related to awarding of a degree, all students are required to maintain standards of academic integrity (see Academic Integrity section of this Web site). Regulations concerning registration and changes of academic program also apply to all students across degree programs and disciplines.
The only doctoral degree offered by The Graduate School is the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. In some cases, this degree is offered in conjunction with another degree, whether from another program administered by The Graduate School or from another school at Northwestern University (see Combined Degree Program Overview). Professional degrees, such as the doctor of medicine (M.D.), doctor of music (D.M.), doctor of laws (L.L.D./J.D.), and doctor of audiology (Au.D.), are offered through professional schools at Northwestern University, such as the schools of medicine, music, law and communication. These schools should be contacted directly concerning study toward these degrees.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is oriented toward research that will advance knowledge. Study for a specified time and accumulation of credit toward residency for courses taken are not by themselves sufficient to earn the Ph.D. degree. A student must demonstrate scholarly distinction and the ability to advance knowledge through independent research by achieving admission to candidacy and writing a dissertation.
Each doctoral student must complete all requirements for the Ph.D. by an established deadline. Graduate Faculty legislation states that all requirements for the doctoral degree must be met within nine years of initial registration in a doctoral program.
Northwestern University: Timeline for Completion of the Ph.D. Degree:
- MSTP students will not follow this timeline. Please see the MSTP Web site for information on MSTP program completion.
- The Graduate School requires a minimum of nine graded courses.
- Residency credit is no longer awarded through TGS but is handled by programs. A program may waive any requirements above nine graded courses based on coursework from another institution.
- If a student takes a leave of absence or does not register for summers in quarters one through eight, the Tuition Model and Registration timelines will be delayed accordingly, but not the Milestones timeline, unless other arrangements are made with TGS.
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Year One |
Year Two |
| Q1 - Fall |
Q2 - Winter |
Q3 - Spring |
Q4 - Summer |
Q5 - Fall |
Q6 - Winter |
Q7 - Spring |
Q8 - Summer |
| Tuition model |
Full Rate (funding typically guaranteed) |
Full Rate (funding typically guaranteed) |
| Registration |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
3-4 units of coursework or 590 |
| Milestones to be achieved |
Coursework towards residency requirement. A minimum of nine graded courses are required by TGS. Individual programs may require more graded courses. |
Coursework towards residency requirement. A minimum of nine graded courses are required by TGS. Individual programs may require more graded courses. |
| Forms to be completed |
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Year Three |
Year Four |
| Q9 - Fall |
Q10 - Winter |
Q11 - Spring |
Q12 - Summer |
Q13 - Fall |
Q14 - Winter |
Q15 - Spring |
Q16 - Summer |
| Tuition model |
Advanced Rate (funding typically guaranteed) |
Advanced Rate (funding typically guaranteed) |
| Registration |
TGS 500 and/or coursework |
TGS 500 and/or coursework |
TGS 500 and/or coursework |
TGS 500 and/or coursework |
TGS 500 in addition to non-required coursework |
| Milestones to be achieved |
Coursework towards program requirements (if applicable). Students must complete all required courses (including incomplete grades/F grade make-up) and be admitted to candidacy (PhD Qualifying Exam) by the end of the twelfth quarter. Students who have completed their program requirements will register for TGS 500 in addition to any non-required (extra) coursework. Students who have not completed their program requirements will register for courses as determined by their program. |
Students must complete their Prospectus (proposal of dissertation topic) before the end of the sixteenth quarter. |
| Forms to be completed |
PhD Qualifying Exam form (submitted by department. No student entry) |
PhD Prospectus form (submitted by student via TGS Forms in CAESAR ; approved online by department) |
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Year Five |
Years Six through Nine |
| Q17 - Fall |
Q18 - Winter |
Q19 - Spring |
Q20 - Summer |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| Tuition model |
Advanced Rate (funding typically guaranteed) |
Advanced Rate or Continuous Registration |
| Registration |
TGS 500 in addition to non-required coursework |
TGS 500 if receiving funding; TGS 512 if unfunded |
| Milestones to be achieved |
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Degree deadline - students have 9 years from matriculation to complete the PhD degree. Only rarely under extenuating circumstances will students be granted permission to continue beyond 9 years. |
| Forms to be completed |
Students who are completing their degree will complete the following forms: (1) Application for Degree via TGS Forms in CAESAR; (2) Final Exam Form via TGS Forms in CAESAR which will be approved by the department (3) NRC Survey of Earned Doctorates; (4) Online submission of dissertation via UMI ProQuest |
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* Those who do not complete in 9 years must enroll in TGS 513 (if not funded) or TGS 500 (if receiving funding or unfunded international student) for the remaining quarters and pay tuition accordingly.
Last updated: Oct 12 2009 2:28PM
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