Doctoral education comprises a set number of credit hours earned through graded courses as listed in the course requirements above, an original dissertation, and a series of scholarly requirements and exams that are referred to as milestones.

To support the philosophy and practice of the Graduate School to respect disciplinary norms and expertise, the Graduate School does not concern itself with the process by which milestones are accomplished. Your program is expected to adhere to the overarching purpose of each milestone. Information on how these milestones are accomplished must be clearly documented in each Doctoral Program Handbook, which is the authoritative source for the procedures for satisfying milestones. All students shall be subject to these processes. Failure to do so may be grounds for a student grievance.