In addition to formal coursework, the student must reach these milestones:
- Summer Research Paper
The students are required to complete a potentially publishable research paper by the end of the third semester in the program. He or she should take advantage of first-year coursework to develop a viable proposal and then devote much of the following summer to this project.
- Preliminary Examination in Organization Studies
Normally taken after the fourth semester, this exam covers broad material in the fields of organizational behavior, organization theory, and human resource management, with particular attention to the student's area of concentration.
- Qualifying Examination (Dissertation Proposal)
To be on track to complete the degree in four years and enter the academic job market during the fourth year, the student should defend a written dissertation proposal by the end of their third academic year in the program. To remain in good standing in the program, he or she must defend a dissertation proposal by January 1 of their fourth year in residence. After the proposal is successfully defended, a student is formally admitted to PhD candidacy.
- PhD Dissertation Defense
According to the rules of the Owen Graduate School of Management, the final dissertation defense (normally held during the eighth semester) must be performed no later than four years after the dissertation proposal is defended.
