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MA/PHD DEGREE PROGRESS

Please use this document in conjunction with the Counseling Document published on this website.

MA
First year

Remove any entrance deficiencies
Pass language exam or make significant progress in language course work.
Take all core courses
Take necessary steps to establish CA residency, if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. See www.registrar.ucla.edu/faq/res.htm.

• Fall - File the Foreign Language Declaration indicating the language to be used for the MA and the means of satisfying the requirement.
• Spring - Take 495B in preparation for a T.A. position in your second year.

Second year

Finish coursework
Finish language (if not already done)

• Fall -Submit proposal for comprehensive examination paper. See Guidelines. Students can enroll in 596 or 597 to prepare the paper. Take 495A in preparation for a TA position.
• Winter -File Advancement to Candidacy form (available only in hard copy). See Instructions.
• Spring -Turn in comprehensive exam paper and take oral exam. Submit letter to Department Chair requesting admission to the PhD program or indicating your desire to take a terminal MA.

PhD
Third year

Finish PhD coursework (may go into next Fall)
Pass second language or finish language courses

• Fall - File the Foreign Language Declaration indicating the language to be used for the PhD and the means of satisfying the requirement.
• Spring -Submit request for exams and exam committee, dissertation topic and doctoral committee. Apply to the Graduate Division for Research Mentorship Fellowships for Fourth Year. Begin looking for grants to support dissertation fieldwork/research.

Fourth year

Finish coursework
Pass second language or finish language courses. Petition as necessary
(Note: The language requirement and all other requirements must be fulfilled, and the doctoral committee appointed, before the qualifying examinations period may begin.)

• Fall - Apply for dissertation fieldwork grants.
• Winter -During a two-week period, take and hand in written exams; take Oral Qualifying exam with doctoral committee.
• You will be advanced to candidacy (ATC) the day the oral qualifying form is turned in to the Graduate Division and you will receive the CPhil.

Fifth year

• Submit a leave of absence form if necessary.
• Fieldwork for dissertation
• Next-to-last year (Ideally Fifth Year)- Apply for the Dissertation Year Fellowship, to be awarded for your last year. At the time of application, the department expects students to have completed one or two chapters of the dissertation in order to be considered for departmental nomination for the award.

Last year

• Finish writing the dissertation.
• Attend a dissertation meeting.
• Take final oral examination with all committee members present and file dissertation.

9/16/05

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