7.3 Normative Progress Timelines

This timeline lists the ideal times in your career in which you will reach important milestones. This is based on our 5 Year MS/PhD normative time.

Year 1

• Prepare to become a California Resident if you are not already (Domestic Students and Permanent Residents only)
• By the end of your first semester: find your Research Advisor
• Prepare for Preliminary Exams (Prelims)
• Beginning of second semester: Take the Prelims if you entered with a Masters Degree
• Second semester: Should begin MS research project

Year 2

• First semester: Should officially be a CA resident (Domestic Students and Permanent Residents only)
• First semester: Take the Prelims if you entered with a Bachelors degree
• First semester: Advance to Candidacy for the Masters Degree
• Second semester: Should begin PhD research project
• End of first semester: File Masters Report

Year 3

• First semester: Prepare for Qualifying Exams (Quals)
• First semester: Take Quals
• Advanced to Candidacy no later than the end of the semester following the Qualifying Examination
• By the end of this year, should be done with coursework

Year 4

• Work on research
• Consider conference paper submissions and presentations
• Second semester: Advance to Candidacy for PhD

Year 5

• Hold PhD Seminar
• Consider conference paper submissions and presentations
• Complete and file PhD Dissertation