Program Roadmap

Yes, We Mean EVERY Semester

• Register for classes at least two weeks before the first day of classes
• Tuition remission – for GRA's - at least six weeks before the first day of classes:
  • Complete UMB tuition remission online request form (Item #3)
  • Submit hardcopy of the form to the program coordinator
• If taking an outside course:
  • Obtain course approval from the program director as early as possible
  • If needed, obtain approval from the course instructor to take the course (even if approval is not needed, it is a good idea to contact the course instructor to learn more about the course!)
  • Complete Inter-institutional Enrollment Form and submit to the program coordinator (who will process it with the Graduate School)
  • You will receive an e-mail from the Graduate School explaining how to complete your registration – please read this carefully and follow all instructions to make sure you are properly registered for the desired course

• Meet with program director and update your Plan of Study
• Submit conference abstract(s)
• Submit publications to peer-reviewed journals
• Apply for funding, if relevant – check requirements and timelines well in advance

• Select a dissertation chair (usually during the same semester as you take SOWK 812: Integrative Seminar) – submit Nomination of PhD Dissertation Chair form to program director for signature
• Select dissertation committee members (in consultation with dissertation chair and with approval of the program director) – submit Nomination of PhD Dissertation Committee form to program director for signature
• Submit draft of proposal to committee members (after dissertation chair approves the proposal) at least four weeks, preferably six weeks, before you hope to defend the proposal
• Consult with your dissertation chair (and program coordinator or director if needed) about scheduling the proposal defense and reserving a room and technology (if needed)
• At least two weeks before the proposal defense, once committee members approve the proposal as ready to defend, submit the Dissertation Proposal Readiness Form to the program director
• After the defense, your Dissertation Chair will need to submit the completed Dissertation Proposal Defense Report to the program coordinator
• Provide a copy of the approved proposal to the program coordinator

• Check Graduate School website for all important due dates – they will be earlier than you expect AND you are responsible for knowing when these are

• Immediately after your proposal defense
  • Apply for admission to candidacy – Application for Admission to Candidacy
    • Please follow all instructions on this form
    • Candidacy requires a successfully defended dissertation proposal and completion of all course requirements and comprehensive exam
    • Program director will review, sign, and submit to the Graduate School
  • Submit Nomination of Members of Final Doctoral Examination Committee form
    • Include CV for outside member if he or she is not a Graduate Faculty member
    • Program director will review, sign, and submit to the Graduate School

• Take 12 SOWK 899 Dissertation credits (maximum 6 per semester – you have to be enrolled for at least two semesters between admission to candidacy and graduation) – please consult with your dissertation chair and/or program director about timing for completing your dissertation and number of credits to take per semester

• Submit draft of dissertation to committee members (after dissertation chair approves the dissertation) at least four weeks, preferably six weeks, before you hope to defend the dissertation

• Read and Follow the Graduate School Guidelines Provided in the Procedures for Examination of the Doctoral Dissertation

• At least two weeks before the dissertation defense
  • Once committee members approve the dissertation as ready to defend, submit the Certification of Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation to the Graduate School after submitting a copy to the program coordinator
    • The Graduate School will send the Dissertation Defense Report form to the Graduate School representative to be completed at the defense
  • Submit the Announcement of Doctoral or Master's Defense form at least two weeks before the dissertation defense

• After the defense, submit the Dissertation Defense Report form to the Graduate School after submitting a copy to the program coordinator
  • After this is submitted, the Graduate School will send you an e-mail with information on additional requirements
• Provide a copy of the approved dissertation to the program coordinator

Yeah!