Student Checklist of Important Activities

Use this checklist to help keep track of important activities you must complete along your PhD degree journey. Note that you are primarily responsible for accomplishing all of these activities. All Graduate School-specific deadlines are available online.

• Obtain your advisor’s and PhD Program Director’s approval for previous credits counted toward the PhD degree and document these credits on the PhD Tracking Form.
  Due: end of first semester
• Form your doctoral committee and document the committee members on your GS6 form. Due: ideally by end of your second semester, but no later than mid-way through your third semester
• Submit your GS6 form. Due: in your third semester
  Note: a registration hold will take effect if your GS6 form is not submitted to the Graduate School in the third semester.
• Successfully complete the qualifying exam and submit the GS16 form. Due: typically by the 5th semester in the program and after coursework is completed
• Defend Dissertation Proposal. Due: within two semesters of the qualifying exam.
• Complete dissertation research, dissertation write-up, and oral defense.
• Document and submit to the Graduate School results of oral defense on the GS24 form. Due: see the Graduate School GS24 submission deadline for graduation in the semester during which the dissertation defense occurs
• Submit dissertation submission forms GS30 and GS31. Due: see the Graduate School GS30 and GS31 forms submission deadline for graduation in your final semester
• Apply for graduation using the GS25 form. Due: see the Graduate School GS25 submission deadline for graduation in your final semester
• Schedule your exit interview with the PhD Program Director and the Department Head. Due before the end of your final semester
• Complete all other requirements for graduation: One peer-reviewed article submitted and copy of dissertation to department. Additional preferred activities/accomplishments: grant-writing experience, teaching experience, more than one publication submitted, and multiple presentations at scientific conferences. Due: by end of your final semester
• Distribute of copies of your dissertation. Complete, final, electronic (PDF) copies of your dissertation should be provided to the following people: each member of your doctoral committee, the PhD Program Director, and the PhD Program Coordinator. Due: by end of your final semester
• Fulfill all fee requirements. Due: by end of your final semester
• Submit GS25B form. Due: by end of your final semester
• Attend CSU Graduate School Commencement Ceremony