Public Policy PhD Milestones

Full-Time Public Policy PhD Students
Timeline for full-time Public Policy PhD showing Years 1–5. Milestones include completing core courses, qualifying exam before Year 2, poster presentation in Year 2, attending a conference by Year 2, dissertation proposal approval by Year 3, presenting at conferences in Years 4–5, dissertation prep in Years 4–5, and final dissertation defense. Ongoing: co-curricular events and research.

Full-time Students:

  • By the end of Year 1: Complete Core courses and produce a workable draft research design from POGO 801.
  • By the end of Year 1:  Pass Qualifying Exam 
  • By the end of Year 1.5: Present at a Schar poster session (an expanded POGO 801 research designs works well). 
  • By the end of Year 2: Attend a regional or national academic conference. Schar provides funding for up to $1,100 each academic year.
  • By the end of Year 3: Present and secure approval of dissertation proposal.
  • During Years 4 & 5: Have presented and attended regional or national conferences or at a Schar research forum. Funding remains available at up to $1,100 per academic year.
  • By the end of Year 4 or 5: Defend Dissertation
  • Ongoing: Attend at least 3 co-curricular activities (talks, symposia, workshops, etc.) per semester.
  • Ongoing: Strongly encouraged to co-author book chapters or journal articles with faculty mentors.
Part-Time Public Policy PhD Students
Timeline for part-time Public Policy PhD showing Years 1–6. Milestones: core courses, qualifying exam by Year 2, poster presentation in Year 2, conference attendance by Year 3, dissertation proposal approval by Year 4, presenting at conferences in Year 5, dissertation prep in Years 5–6, and final dissertation defense. Ongoing: co-curricular events and research collaboration.

Part-time Students:

  • By the end of Year 1: Complete POGO 511, POGO 801, and Foundation courses and produce a workable draft research design from POGO 801.
  • By the end of Year 1.5: Present at a Schar poster session (an expanded POGO 801 research designs works well).
  • By the end of Year 2: Pass Qualifying Exam
  • By the end of Year 2: Attend a regional or national academic conference. Schar provides funding for up to $1,100 each academic year.
  • By the end of Year 4: Present and secure approval of dissertation proposal 
  • During Years 4 & 5: Have presented and attended multiple regional or national conferences or at a Schar research forum. Funding remains available at up to $1,100 per academic year.
  • By the end of Year 5 or 6: Defend Dissertation
  • Ongoing: Attend at least 3 co-curricular activities (talks, symposia, workshops, etc.) per semester. 
  • Ongoing: Strongly encouraged to co-author book chapters or journal articles with faculty mentors.