Plan of Study

The Plan of Study is an annual update on a student's progress through the PhD program, outlining what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be fulfilled. This gives both student and faculty the opportunity to assess progress. The faculty discuss Plans of Study together, and give feedback to each student through their advisor. 

Requirements and Deadline

The Plan of Study is a form you fill out and submit by late March / early April each year (the specific deadline for this year can be found below). It consists of a cover page with an overview of your project, your committee, and your portfolio progress, followed by individual pages for each year in the program (year 1, year 2, etc.), with more detailed information on courses taken, TA/GA service, and other academic activities. 

After you first fill out your Plan of Study in year 1, you should save the document for use in subsequent years. The idea here is that the Plan of Study is something you'll continually update and add to each year, creating an ongoing record of your activities, achievements, and progress as you move through the program.

Submit your Plan of Study by email to the DGSA (CCing the DGS and your advisor) by the date below:

AY 2025-26 Deadline: March 29, 2026, 11:59 PM

Progress

Shortly after Plans of Study are submitted, the faculty will convene as a whole to discuss the performance and progress of each student over the course of the year. At that time you may be:

  1. Continued in the program unconditionally
  2. Continued in the program on a conditional basis, if faculty decide that you need to develop certain background fields or particular academic skills
  3. Dropped from the program, if the faculty judge your overall performance unacceptable

Directly following the evaluation meeting, you will be notified by your advisor of the decision of the faculty. Any specific recommendations and any conditions to be fulfilled will also be communicated by your advisor or committee chair (with a written copy of recommendations to be submitted to the DGS for your student file).