Year by Year:
Progress through the PhD
Laura Ogden
Graduate Program Director
Global & Sociocultural Studies
Why keep to this schedule?
Ensure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Progress from classes to research is timely
Dissertation research is funded
Good mentorship is available early
Helps us access student progress and our
program
5. Keeps you on track with graduate school
paperwork
YEAR 1
• Fall Semester
–
–
–
–
Assigned temporary faculty mentor
Take SYA 6127 (Theory & Inquiry)
Choose classes/professors that “fit” your interests
Look for appropriate theory/methods courses
• Spring Semester
– Take ISS 6305 (Research Methods & Design)
– Choose classes/professors that “fit” your interests
– Look for appropriate theory/methods courses
• Progress Goals
–
–
–
–
By year’s end: choose committee chair, decide on major (file form with GDP)
Meet with temp mentor for annual evaluation of progress.
Start looking around for an external committee member
Use courses to advance dissertation topic (lit reviews)
YEAR 1 SUMMER
• Language Training (if needed for research)
• Internship/Preliminary Fieldwork
• IRB Training Certification
YEAR 2
• Fall
– Take SYA 6317 (Social Research Quant Methods 1)
– Choose classes/professors that “fit” your interests
– Look for appropriate theory/methods courses
• Spring
– Take SYA 6959 (Writing Research Proposals)
– Choose classes/professors that “fit” your interests
– Look for appropriate theory/methods courses
• Progress Goals
–
–
–
–
File D1 (committee form) by year end
Meet with Dissertation chair for annual evaluation
Finish required coursework
Use courses to advance dissertation topic (lit review, quals)
YEAR 2 SUMMER
• Goal: transform SYA 6959 proposal into a
proposal for submission to funding
organization
– NSF deadline Aug. 15 (for example)
• Continue Language Training (if needed)
YEAR 3
• Fall
– Take Exam Prep Hours (6 max)
– Comp Exams
– Defend Proposal
• Spring
– Submit DEA & other proposals
– Preliminary Fieldwork (local, archival, etc.)
– Prepare IRB proposal (for D3)
• Progress Goals
– Submit D2 and D3 to grad school
YEAR 3 SUMMER
• Fieldwork
• Network with scholars outside FIU
YEAR 4
• Fall
– Dissertation Fieldwork
• Spring
– Finish Dissertation Fieldwork
– Prepare outline for Dissertation
• Progress Goals
– Fieldwork supported by external funds or DEA
– Present Paper at Conference
YEAR 4 SUMMER
• Start writing dissertation
• Apply DYF
• Goal: Draft article for publication (coauthor
with mentor or solo)
YEAR 5
• Fall
– Dissertation about 3/4 finished
• Spring
– Rough Draft – early Feb – to committee.
– Early: File D5 (preliminary approval & announcement)
3 weeks before defense date
– Apply for postdocs & jobs
• Progress Goals:
– Finish by end of year 5 or Summer Year 6
– Year 5 supported through DYF or TA
– Next Steps in place (postdoc, job, temp teaching)