UW-Madison School of Nursing
Ph.D. Program Progression Guidelines

The progression guidelines have been developed by the Graduate Programs Committee to assist faculty advisors and students in program planning. Students who are concurrently completing a master's degree in nursing, or who are required to complete an unusually large number of credits in their secondary area, may have more credits than indicated at each phase in the guidelines.

First Year | Second Year | Third Year | Fourth Year | Fifth Year

FIRST YEAR (or first 18 credits)

• Development of preliminary program plan in consultation with advisor
  
• Selection of secondary concentration advisor (as early as possible)
  
• Regular attendance at research colloquia as class schedule permits
  
• Successful progression of coursework as outlined in program plan
  
• Successful progression in guided research experiences as contracted with advisor
  
• Development of a written research proposal and plan for submission of an NRSA or other grant application to an outside agency (submission recommended)

SECOND YEAR (or 18 to 36 credits)

• Successful completion of coursework as outlined in program plan
  
• Successful performance in guided research experiences as contracted with advisor
  
• Presentation of a research colloquium
  
• Submission of an NRSA or other proposal for research support
  
• Supervised teaching experience
  
• Preparation for preliminary examination
  
• Regular attendance at research colloquia

THIRD YEAR (or post 36 credits)

• Successful completion of remaining coursework as outlined in program plan
  
• Completion of preliminary examination
  
• Development of dissertation proposal
  
• Manuscript submitted for publication
  
• Presentation of some aspect of research in a peer reviewed outlet, including papers and conferences
  
• Supervised teaching experience
  
• Regular attendance at research colloquia

FOURTH YEAR (or after achieving dissertator status)

• Defense of dissertation proposal
  
• Development of written plan for completion of dissertation (with timeline)
  
• Presentation of a research colloquium
  
• Publication and presentation of research in peer reviewed outlets
  
• Regular attendance at research colloquia

FIFTH YEAR

• Successful defense of dissertation
  
• Publication and presentation of research in peer reviewed outlets
  
• Presentation of a research colloquium on dissertation results
  
• Graduation

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