| Forms to be filed | |
| Prior to 4th Semester: | Student sits for the written qualifying exam. Students who pass the exam should begin the process of identifying a dissertation advisor. |
| 4th Semester: | When a dissertation advisor has been selected, the student should formally petition for a change of advisor. The Department must be notified, and a Change of Advisor form must be submitted to GSAS. |
| End of 4th Semester: | Final doctoral program should be filed with the Department. |
| Before the oral exam: | The student should nominate members of the Oral Examination Committee to the Department. Please allow three weeks for scheduling. Note that the student's written paper should be submitted to the members of the Oral Examination Committee at least three weeks before the exam. |
| After the oral exam: | The student should submit to the Department a form identifying the members of the Dissertation Committee. |
| The student is expected to meet with the Dissertation Committee periodically. The dissertation advisor and the student will file a Dissertation Progress Report on the student's progress at six month intervals (November 15 and May 15). | |
| Nearing the end: | Submit a degree application form. GSAS requires that Ph.D. applicants file an Application for Degree by the dates listed on their academic calendar. (NOTE: The application deadlines are several months before graduation.) |
| Before the defense: | The student should submit a Dissertation Defense Scheduling Form to the Department at least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense. Copies of the dissertation should be provided to the Dissertation Committee and to the Department Chair at least two weeks prior to the defense. A Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must be completed before the dissertation defense and signed by the Dissertation Committee after the student's defense. Information about dissertation requirements for GSAS may be found at their website http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/current_students/form_of_the_phd_dissertation.php. A copy of the final bound dissertation must be submitted to the department. |