UMass Amherst
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Requirements for Ph.D. Program

 

First Year

Fall Classes: 601, 603, 610, 791A
Spring Classes: 604, 606, 791A, two electives

 

Second Year

Fall Classes: 791A, 3rd year seminar, seminars and proseminars
  • Choose first Doctoral Guidance Committee (DGC) with GPD by end of November
  • Attend DGC meeting

Spring Classes: 791A, 2nd Year Seminar, seminars/proseminars

  • Submit first Generals to DGC by end of November
  • Defend first Generals before end of classes
  • Choose second DGC with GPD by end of November
  • Attend DGC meeting

 

Third Year

Fall Classes: 791A, 3rd year seminar, seminars and proseminars
  • File first Generals by first day of classes
  • Submit second Generals by end of November
  • Defend second Generals before end of classes
  • Attend DGC meeting

Spring Classes: 791A, 3-unit course and 6 units of independent study

  • File second Generals by first day of classes
  • Notify Graduate Program Secretary of Breadth paper
  • Ask Graduate Program Secretary to prepare D-2 memo
  • Attend DGC meeting

 

Fourth Year

Fall Classes: seminar and/or Dissertation Credits
  • Write dissertation prospectus
  • By Doctoral Guidance Day, submit prospectus to Graduate Program Secretary
  • Attend DGC meeting

Spring Classes: seminar and/or Dissertation Credits

  • Form a dissertation committee
  • Ask Graduate Program Secretary to prepare D-3 memo
  • Submit approved dissertation Prospectus by May
  • Prepare D-4 memo

 

Fifth Year

Fall Classes: program fee or Dissertation Credits
  • Check to see if your statute of limitations has expired

Spring Classes: Dissertation Credits or program fee

  • Set up defense by middle of April
  • Ask Graduate Program Secretary to prepare a D-5 memo
  • Defend dissertation by end of May
  • Submit a D-6 “defense results” memo