Timing

Graduate College Time Limits

The time by which a doctoral candidate is expected to complete all degree requirements varies depending on whether or not the student was accepted with a relevant master’s degree.

• A doctoral candidate who must complete all three stages of the degree is expected to complete all degree requirements within seven years of first registering in the Graduate College.


• If the doctoral candidate has completed a master's degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign within the last three years, the student is expected to complete the Stage II and III requirements within five years of first registering in as a doctoral student.


• If three or more years passed between receipt of the master’s degree at Urbana-Champaign and returning for the doctoral degree, the student is allowed six years to complete Stage II and III requirements.


• If the doctoral candidate has completed a master’s degree from another university he or she is allowed six years to complete Stage II and III requirements.

With the written approval of the Graduate College, a department may set different time limits for completion.

Milestones to Completion of the Ph.D.

The following guidelines and limits reflect expeditious completion of the degree requirements under the 64-credit hour requirement. If you must extend one or more of the limits, a request must be made to the Ph.D. Program Director. The request, endorsed by your advisor, should indicate the reasons for the delay and include a plan and a specific date for completion.

Sample Program Leading to Three-Year Completion of the Ph.D.