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Typical timeline to completion of the program

There are 5 basic tasks to accomplish in your research lab:

  1. Research and propose a project to your committee
  2. Collect data (usually PhD only)
  3. Write up the results of the project
  4. Defend the project to your committee
  5. Publish the project

Year 1

    • December – get an A in Psychobiological Foundations and Stats 1 classes
    • January – get involved with the project of a senior student
    • March – get an A in Psychopharmacology and Stats 2 classes
    • May - get an A in Cognitive Foundations (PhD) and Stats 3 (PhD, although PsyD students are encouraged to take this)
    • May – co-author (or 1st author) on a Society for Neuroscience poster abstract

Year 2

    • October – discuss ideas for dissertation (PhD) or doctoral project (PsyD)
    • November – attend Society for Neuroscience conference
    • December – get an A in Research Methods class
    • January – assemble committee w/ 1 external member (PhD) or find 2nd reader (PsyD)
    • March – propose dissertation (PhD) / doctoral project (PsyD) - 3 months ahead of “official” June 30 deadline
    • May - get an A in Cognitive Foundations (PsyD)
    • May – 1st author on Society for Neuroscience abstract / PsyDs propose project (by 31st)

Year 3

    • May – 1st author on another Society for Neuroscience poster abstract
    • November – attend Society for Neuroscience conference
    • December - defend doctoral project (PsyD) / submit review paper to peer-reviewed journal

Year 4

    • May – 1st author on another Society for Neuroscience poster abstract
    • June - leave for internship (PsyD)
    • October – defend dissertation (PhD) - 12 months ahead of “official” deadline
    • November – attend Society for Neuroscience conference

Year 5

    • June – submit manuscript to peer-reviewed journal / leave for internship (PhD)
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