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How do you get a phd a guide to the phd timeline.

Everyone who considers a doctoral degree knows a PhD is a big commitment. 

Not only will it require all your mental energy, focus, and persistence, but it will also require a significant investment of your time. Your particular area of research, your institution’s policies and procedures, and the standard expectations within your field affect how long it takes to earn a PhD. The average PhD length is five or six years, while some students may take eight or nine years.

Regardless of how long a PhD program takes,  there are some common stages of a PhD that all doctoral students share. These significant and essential milestones shape the timeline for earning your doctorate . Read on as we take you through each step and explore the typical steps to a doctorate degree.

How Long Do PhD Programs Take?

The number of credit hours that you need to complete your doctoral coursework might depend on several factors: do you already have a master’s degree? Will you earn one en route to the doctorate? Or do you even need one? 

Different disciplines and research interests have their own PhD process, but even within your field of study, institutions may have diverse pathways for obtaining that terminal degree. For most, coursework will take anywhere from two to three years to complete.

During this time, students can serve as graduate research or teaching assistants or could even lead their own courses as instructors. In many degree programs, students develop their potential dissertation topics through their coursework and define their research plans in the next few years.

Steps to Getting a PhD: PhD Qualifying Exam and Comprehensive Exam

Many programs set up academic checkpoints to help keep students on track during their PhD journeys. The timing varies by program, but one of the most common – and possibly most stressful – forms of benchmarking is the PhD comprehensive exam or qualifying exam. Often administered around the end of the student’s coursework, these exams are your chance to demonstrate what you learned in your classes.

A faculty committee from your department oversees testing. Usually comprised of at least three members, your professors ask questions or assign writing prompts based on your experience in the program thus far. The format is generally a combination of written and oral exams designed to test your expertise in your discipline’s methodologies and significant content areas.

To better prepare yourself, research the number and kind of qualifying benchmarks the program will require in the university catalog before you begin your program. This will allow you and your advisor to effectively plan out the first few years of your degree and give you an idea of how you’ll be evaluated throughout your program.

Doctoral Dissertation Prospectus and Defense

You may be required to complete and defend a dissertation prospectus before officially becoming a PhD candidate. A prospectus is a document outlining your dissertation plan, which includes an explanation of your research topic, a potential outline of your dissertation, the methodologies you intend to employ, the significance of your research question, and a bibliography including sources that form the foundation of your research.

Your prospectus allows your dissertation advisor to understand the scope of your project. It should be thorough enough that they can provide useful feedback to help shape your research plan. After some revisions, an approved prospectus is the green light to move into the next stage of your PhD.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

If you have heard the term ABD – “All But Dissertation” – then that means you are in the home stretch of your doctoral program!

Well, sort of…only your dissertation remains!

Doctoral Dissertation Research and Writing

While you’ve made it through the coursework and qualifying exams, the dissertation is the culminating component of the doctoral degree. At this point, your approved research plan is ready to be set into motion. Depending on your discipline, this could be the stage where you travel extensively to conduct fieldwork, explore archives, or visit labs to collaborate on projects that relate to your dissertation work. For many students, the research phase can take a couple of years, but some may be able to complete it in one.

Writing your dissertation can be one of the most challenging parts of the whole PhD process. Not only are you condensing years of research into a single cohesive document, but you are also formulating graphs, charts, and other textual references to help clarify your argument. Often, formatting can be a major challenge for many students. 

In this stage, it’s most helpful to seek out resources to help you with the writing process. Many universities have dissertation writing workshops where you can learn best practices, as well as support groups where students meet regularly and help keep each other accountable. Most universities also offer competitive dissertation completion grants, supporting students with additional funding so they focus more of their time and effort on completing this undertaking.

Dissertation Defense

Everyone gets nervous about this major rite of passage. It can be difficult to take criticism over something you have poured your heart and soul into for years. Remember, though, that a good advisor will not let you defend if you’re not ready, and you literally wrote the book on your topic!

The dissertation defense is not intended to tear your work apart but rather is your opportunity to prove your expertise to your dissertation committee. Many defenses are open to observers, so you should attend a few in advance of your own, especially within your department, to get a sense of what it’s like. 

First, you’ll present the main points of your thesis. Then the committee will ask questions so they can clearly understand your arguments. Finally, they’ll send you out of the room while they deliberate and decide if you pass or not. If all goes well, you’ll be addressed as “Doctor” the next time you walk into the room!

Get Started on Your PhD Journey Today

No matter what your particular timeline looks like as you work toward your doctorate, know that the faculty and other students within your program are frequently a huge source of support — which means you won't do this alone! Additionally, every school has resources to assist PhD students, from libraries to writing centers to dedicated student support services. 

If you are excited about beginning your PhD journey, we invite you to request more information or reach out to one of our admissions professionals today. Best of luck as you begin this transformational experience!

learn more about

what it takes to apply to and succeed in a PhD program. Explore our resource — A Guide to Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a PhD Program!

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Application Timeline & Process

The timetable outlined below is a guide to assist students who plan to apply for academic Master’s degree and Ph.D programs. Because of the range of programs and requirements, the information below is a general framework. The process typically begins in the first semester of junior year, or two years prior to application. Students should plan on submitting application materials by the end of first semester senior year, or approximately eight months prior to matriculation.

The graduate school application process, also outlined below, is similar to the process you used when applying to undergraduate colleges; there are materials to gather and deadlines to meet. Many students find it helpful to compile a spreadsheet to help them stay organized and avoid missing important deadlines. Early decisions and rolling admissions policies are common, even if not explicitly stated. There are additional featured articles at the bottom of this page that can help you with some of these components.

Application Timeline

Junior year or one year prior to matriculating, september – december.

• Schedule an appointment with a Office of Career Strategy advisor.
• Meet with faculty and your Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss potential programs and letters of recommendation.
• Begin to prepare for the GRE.
• Research and develop list of target programs.

January – May

• Refine list of target programs.
• Register and sit for the GRE .
• Ask for letters of recommendation.

June – August

• Draft personal statements.
• Finalize list of target programs, noting application deadlines (most will begin in November).

Senior Year or One Year Prior to Matriculating

• Request letters of recommendation from faculty.
• Finalize your personal statements and have them edited by a writing tutor and other readers.
• Contact the Office of the Registrar to request transcripts be sent to target programs.
• Begin submitting applications. Confirm with programs that your application file is complete, including letters of recommendation.
• Begin exploring sources of financial aid (federal, institutional and private) and obtain and file applications as soon as possible.
• Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and file well before the deadline.
• Have your fall semester transcripts sent to target programs.

February – April

• Evaluate Letters of acceptance and offers of financial aid.

Application Process

Standardized tests.

Standardized tests are used in combination with your other application materials to gauge your preparation for graduate-level work. Tests may be general or subject specific depending on the subject and program requirements. Determine which, if any, standardized tests you need to take and gather information on how often the test is offered, testing locations, and cost. For GRE details and registration information, please visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website .

Additional considerations for Students with Disabilities who are thinking about applying to graduate or professional schools include identifying which exams are needed, how far in advance exam accommodations must be requested, and which documentations regarding your disability will likely be needed for exam accommodations.

Personal Statements

Preparing a well-written and effective personal statement (sometimes referred to as statements of purpose or personal essays) that clearly articulates your preparation, goals, and motivation for pursuing that specific graduate degree is critically important. You will need to spend a considerable amount of time and effort crafting these statements. For individual assistance with writing your personal statement, consult with the writing tutor in your residential college  or the Writing Center within the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning .

Letters of Recommendation

Graduate programs will commonly require 2-3 letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation allow an admissions committee to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and potential from another person’s perspective. You can find more information in our Soliciting Letters of Recommendation Blog .

Application Forms

Program application forms are typically available on the program web site; you can also call the program to request application materials. Pay special attention to any directions given and complete application forms exactly as instructed. Do not simply refer the recipient to your resume; answer all questions completely and thoroughly.

Transcripts:  Graduate schools usually require that you submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education as part of your application. You can request your Yale College transcript online through the Student Information System (SIS) or by contacting the Office of the Registrar . If you completed courses at another college or university or studied abroad, you will need to contact those schools directly to request official transcripts. For courses taken abroad, you may be required to get a translation of your transcripts if it is in another language.  

Resumes and CVs:  Graduate programs often require applicants to provide a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). The OCS website provides resume samples and a CV worksheet  that you can use as a guide when developing your document. Before submitting your resume or CV, you should have it reviewed by a OCS Career Advisor or Graduate Peer Advisor to assure it is free of errors and is effectively conveying your skills, background, and experiences.

Writing Samples and Creative Portfolios:  Depending on your discipline, you may also need to submit writing samples appropriate to your intended area of specialization, such as poetry, fiction, or journalism. For those pursuing advanced degrees in performing or visual arts, you may also need to submit a portfolio of your work or audition tapes. Review the specific requirements for the programs you’re considering and speak with your faculty advisor or OCS Career Advisor, Derek Webster , to discuss your needs.

Interviewing:  A graduate school interview should be approached in the same manner as a job interview. Preparation and practice are essential. Be ready to discuss your academic preparation and motivations for seeking a graduate degree, your specific areas of interest within the field of study, and your goals following your degree completion. Also, be prepared to discuss any internships, fieldwork, research, or clinical experiences and the impact they had on you. After the interview, don’t forget to send thank you notes.

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Graduate school application timeline.

If you're planning to apply to graduate school, it's best to start early—it will increase your odds of being admitted. Many graduate programs have rolling admissions, which means applications are evaluated as they arrive (rather than all at once after the final deadline).

Here's a sample schedule for a student hoping to enter grad school in the fall. This is a best-case scenario which leaves time to craft a great application, resolve unforeseen problems (a lost transcript, a delinquent recommender) and submit with time to spare.

Your GRE Application Timeline

Begin researching grad schools . Take a GRE practice test . Your GRE score will help you determine how much preparation you'll need for the real deal.

Sign up for a GRE test prep course (we recommend the in-person or online options). Register for the GRE general test if necessary.

Request information from schools that interest you. Consider paying a visit to your alma mater to meet up with a few former professors. They can recommend good programs and may even help you make some connections.

Register to take a GRE Subject test (if necessary) during one of their Fall windows. In the 2023-24 application cycle, ETS offered three date ranges to take a subject test: late September/early October, late October/early November, or mid to late April. Take the GRE general test. If you're not happy with your scores, sign up to take it again. Begin drafting your statement of purpose .

Finalize your list of prospective schools , and familiarize yourself with the professors who share your research interests at each school. Contact your recommenders. Keep polishing your statement of purpose.

Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution. Send your recommenders supplemental materials (like your resume, personal statement, etc.) that they can use as a reference. Make contact with students and professors at your prospective schools. Arrange a campus visit if you can.

Have someone in the field and a few smart (and honest) friends read over your personal statement. Take the GRE subject test; make sure that your scores will be sent directly to schools.

Complete and submit all grad applications , keeping copies of every section for your records. Verify that your recommendations have been sent.

Read More: What's a Good GRE Score?

How will you score?

Take a GRE practice test with us under the same conditions as the real thing. You'll get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.

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A PhD timeline for finishing quickly [Free Gantt Download]

Navigating the labyrinthine journey of a PhD program is no small feat.

From the day you step into your graduate program as a bright-eyed doctoral student, you’re immediately thrust into a complex weave of coursework, research, and milestones.

By the second year, you’ve transitioned from coursework to research, laying the groundwork for your dissertation—a pivotal component in your scholarly endeavour. 

Come the third year, you face the critical oral examination, a hurdle that could make or break years of hard work.

But how does one streamline this multifaceted journey? The answer lies in a well-planned PhD timeline.

This blog serves as an invaluable guide for any PhD student looking to complete their doctoral studies efficiently, walking you through each milestone from coursework to graduation.

How to Begin with the PhD Timeline Planning?

Planning your PhD timeline is an essential first step in your PhD program.

Success in any PhD program depends, to a large extent, on effective time management and keeping track of progress through a thoughtfully crafted PhD timeline. 

Start with outlining all your major requirements:

• coursework,
• dissertation,
• and the expected time needed for each task.

I also highly recommend factoring in failure time – give yourself a little bit of wiggle room for when things, invariably – go wrong. 

It’s crucial to remain realistic about the time you can commit daily or weekly while keeping long-term goals in mind.

Regular check-ins on your PhD timeline and supervisor will help you stay on track and allow you to adapt if necessary.

Adjustments may be needed as you progress through your PhD program, but having a timeline as a guide can make the journey less daunting and more achievable. 

Elements to include in a 3-year PhD timeline

The initial stage in this timeline typically involves coursework, often lasting one year, where the student engrosses themselves in advanced study in their chosen field.

Once the coursework is done (USA PhDs), they focus on proposing, conducting, and presenting their initial research.

By the end of the second year, most students should have a clear direction for their dissertation, a core component of the PhD process.

In this third and final year of the PhD timeline, the student focuses primarily on completing their dissertation, which involves collecting data, analyzing results, and organizing their research into a substantial, original, and cohesive document that contributes to contemporary knowledge in their field.

Regular reviews and modifications of the PhD timeline may also be necessary to accommodate various unpredictable circumstances, thus making this timeline both a guide and a flexible workplan.

It is a significant tool in successfully navigating the maze of becoming a PhD holder. 

Create Your PhD Timeline for a 3 year completion

Creating a timeline for a 3-year PhD program requires careful planning, as you’ll have multiple milestones and tasks to complete.

This timeline may vary depending on your specific field, institution, or country, but here is a general outline you can use as a starting point:

Free Gantt chart excel template

Here is a free template you can modify for your own research:

Example Gantt chart for a USA PhD

Here are some common steps involved in completing a PhD, which I’ll use to create the Gantt chart:

• Orientation and Coursework (Semester 1) : Familiarization with the university, department, and coursework.
• Coursework (Semester 2) : Continued coursework and possible teaching/research assistantships.
• Select Advisor and Research Topic : Usually done towards the end of the first year or the beginning of the second year.
• Preliminary Research : Initial research and literature review.
• Complete Coursework (Semester 3) : Wrap up any remaining required courses.
• Research Proposal : Develop a full research proposal including methodology.
• Qualifying Exams : Exams to transition from a Ph.D. student to a Ph.D. candidate.
• Begin Research : Start of actual research based on the approved proposal.
• Conduct Research : Data collection, experiments, and analysis.
• Intermediate Review : A review to assess the progress of the research.
• Write Papers : Start writing papers and possibly publishing in journals.
• Finalize Research : Final experiments and data analysis.
• Write Dissertation : Writing the actual Ph.D. dissertation.
• Dissertation Defense : Defending the dissertation before the committee.
• Graduation : Completing all requirements and graduating.

Example Gantt chart for a UK, European and Australian PhD

For Ph.D. programs outside the United States, especially in Europe and some other parts of the world, students often go straight into research without the need for coursework. Here are some common steps for such programs:

• Orientation : Familiarization with the university and department.
• Select Advisor and Research Topic : Usually done at the beginning of the program.

Wrapping up

The journey to earning a PhD is complex and demanding, filled with academic milestones from coursework to research to dissertation writing.

The key to a smooth and efficient doctoral journey lies in well-planned time management—a structured PhD timeline.

This blog serves as an invaluable guide, offering detailed tips for planning out each academic year in both U.S. and international PhD programs. It emphasizes the importance of starting with an outline of major requirements and factoring in “failure time” for unforeseen challenges.

For those looking to navigate their PhD journey in three years or beyond, having a flexible but comprehensive timeline can be the compass that guides them successfully through the academic labyrinth.

Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your research, the principles and strategies outlined here can help streamline your path to that coveted doctoral hood.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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A Helpful Grad School Application Timeline

If you plan to attend graduate school, it pays to start planning early. Here are some tips.

Graduate School Application Timeline

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Starting early will not only help make sure you meet testing and application deadlines, it will also make a potentially stressful experience a lot easier.

Applying to graduate school can be stressful and time-consuming, not to mention expensive. But whether you’re sure you want to get a master’s degree or just think you might want to someday, following a grad school application timeline will make the process easier.

The timeline for applying to grad school starts early, during college . Even if you’ve been out of college a few years, a sequence of steps advised by admissions officials will help you pace yourself and ensure that you’ve covered all your bases.

How Early Should You Apply to Grad School?

If you’re an undergraduate and think you might want to go to grad school, cultivate relationships with professors in classes related to your chosen field. It will help them get to know you so that if you ask them for letters of recommendation later, they’ll be able to write a stronger one.

Also, hold on to your strongest pieces of writing and share them with a professor you might ask for a recommendation letter, says Celia Marshik, dean of the graduate school at Stony Brook University—SUNY .

“Tell the professor you’d like to use this piece of writing as part of your grad school application,” Marshik says, “and ask them what you should work on to make it better. Faculty can give great advice.”

And it’s also never too early to think about money.

“I always tell prospective students to think about how you’ll fund the program before you get into the program,” says Anne Musica, program manager for the M.A. in Educational Transformation at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “A lot of students come in after they’ve been accepted and then ask, ‘How can I afford this?’ By then, all external large scholarship and fellowship deadlines have passed.”

Musica and other admissions experts say prospective graduate students should think about how they’re going to pay for grad school while they’re researching programs and start applying for scholarships before they get in.

Think hard about why you want to go to grad school. This reflection will help you later when you write your statement of purpose and during interviews with admissions officers.

“As with any big decision, you should ask yourself, what are you going to leave with in terms of debt? What does a graduate degree prepare you for?” says Bill Mahoney, associate dean for student and postdoctoral affairs at the University of Washington ’s graduate school. “Evaluate what is motivating you.”

Not sure whether you want to apply to grad school? Consider taking a course as a non-matriculating student – one who is not enrolled in a degree program – at a college in your area.

“See how you do,” Marshik says. “See how you do on the tests. And if you get accepted into a grad program, most will accept transfer credits.”

Follow a Grad School Application Timeline

Start researching programs that fit your requirements. Think about whether you can afford to go to school full time or whether a part-time degree program is better. Also, consider the cost of living in the city where you would be.

While some graduate programs no longer require the GRE , many still do. Some programs require other tests. Start taking practice tests for the GRE and any other necessary entrance tests now.

Sign up for a prep course for the GRE and any other required tests, and register to take them.

Request information from programs you’re interested in. Start thinking about who to ask for recommendation letters . For some degree programs, both academic and professional recommendations are required.

When you write to people and ask for a recommendation letter, "start off by reminding them of the classes you took,” Marshik says. “Offer to send materials, including your statement of purpose, a resume and work you did in the class you took with them.”

Take required tests. Start drafting your statement of purpose. It may seem early, but the earlier you start, the stronger your application will be, Mahoney says.

“The work you do early will help you have a really polished piece of work to put forward,” he says. “We get a ton of applications every year. The ones that are polished get a better review than others.”

Finalize the list of programs you are applying to. Have one or more people review your statement of purpose.

“I always recommend that someone look over it,” Musica says. “Even if you’re the best writer in the world, people will find things that you won’t see. It’s always better to have someone look over work.”

Request transcripts from your undergraduate school and from any other graduate work you have already done. Musica recommends that international students use a service, like World Education Services, to translate transcripts and determine credit equivalencies.

November 

Take the GRE subject test, if needed. Continue revising your statement of purpose to make sure it captures your unique story and interests.

“This narrative is where you pick two or three things out of your resume and elevate them to answer the question of why you fit the program,” Mahoney says. “If you struggled, how did you pick yourself up? Make sure to align the statement with what you want to go to grad school for.”

Submit your applications.  

44 Graduate Degree Jobs That Can Pay Six-Figure Salaries

Tags: graduate schools , education , students , colleges

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Coping With Death as a Future Doctor

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Weighing LSAT Test Prep Options

Gabriel Kuris Nov. 4, 2024

Graduate School with Student Loan Debt

A.R. Cabral Oct. 31, 2024

Finding Scholarships for Grad School

Sarah Wood Oct. 30, 2024

Decide Whether to Retake the GMAT

Anna Fiorino Oct. 21, 2024

Law School Applicants and Volunteering

Gabriel Kuris Oct. 21, 2024