Milestones
Preparation of the prospectus is governed by four milestones. These deadlines will be monitored by the Graduate Program office.
- Research topic conference – before the end of classes in the 4th term of enrollment.
Each student should arrange an informal “research topic conference” with at least three faculty members of the student’s choice. In preparation, and after preliminary consultation with these faculty members, the student will prepare a short memo describing between one and three ideas or topic areas for the dissertation. The conference is an opportunity to explore these ideas.
- Discussion of draft prospectus in research seminar – before the end of the 5th term of enrollment.
After the research topic conference the student should select three advisors for the prospectus. In developing a draft of the prospectus the student should consult regularly with these advisors. Before the end of the fifth semester, each student will discuss a draft in the student’s subfield research seminar, if possible with the advisors present. This is not a “defense;” the aim is to use the seminar as a workshop where advice can be given about the definition of the topic and plan of research.
- Prospectus conference – within a week after the research seminar.
After the research seminar, each student will arrange an informal “prospectus conference” with the three advisors to discuss how the draft prospectus should be revised.
- Submission of revised prospectus - by the end of the 5th term of enrollment or one month after the presentation in the research seminar (whichever comes later).
The student should submit the revised prospectus to the three advisors. The advisors will determine whether to approve the prospectus or recommend further revisions.
In all cases, students are required to secure final acceptance of the prospectus from their advisors before the end of the sixth term of enrollment in order to remain in good standing.