PhD Milestones and Strategies

This content outlines the requirements, milestones, and strategies involved in pursuing a Ph.D. degree, including timelines, milestones, time limits, return on investment strategies, and key milestones such as finding an advisor and satisfying language requirements.

• PhD
• Milestones
• Strategies
• Research
• Timelines

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1. PhD Requirements, Milestones, and Strategies

2. Model Timeline Required Qual exam (1st) Qual exam* (2nd) Write Prelim exam Defend Find advisor dissertation Satisfy course requirements FY1 SY1 FY2 SY2 FY3 SY3 FY4 SY4 FY5 SY5 FY6 SY6 * = if needed

3. Desired Model Timeline Required Intern ship Intern ship Seek jobs Write paper Write paper Write paper Write paper Write paper Qual exam (1st) Qual exam (2nd) Write Find advisor Prelim exam Defend dissertation Satisfy course requirements FY1 SY1 FY2 SY2 FY3 SY3 FY4 SY4 FY5 SY5 FY6 SY6

4. Milestones Milestones are not easily bounded in time Example: writing a paper may require multiple revisions / submissions, preparing a talk, and travelling to present the work. Milestones are not always mutually exclusive Example: each paper may become a chapter in the dissertation. Must also satisfy the TA requirement

5. Time limits Prelim 5 years without M.S. degree 4 years with CS M.S. degree from outside UIUC 3 years with M.S. degree from UIUC Defense 7 years without M.S. degree 6 years with CS M.S. degree from outside UIUC 5 years with M.S. degree from UIUC Annual evaluations of progress

6. Return on investment strategies Select topics aligned with peers in your research group Synergies between research and course projects Only accept research-oriented internships

7. Milestones and Strategies

8. Milestone 1: Find an Advisor Take courses, do independent studies (CS 597), ask peers, attend group meetings and seminars prepare and make positive first impression Required prior to taking the qualifying exam, but expected by the end of the first year

9. Milestone 2: Satisfy Language Requirements Academic Requirements By the end of the first year Prior to taking the qualifying exam Who? All students whose native language is not English, including permanent residents and some US citizens. Exemptions Beginning in Fall of 2023: graduate students are exempt from demonstrating oral English proficiency if: They originate from, or have attended English-medium schools continuously since age 13 (or younger) in, any of the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and Zimbabwe. Work Requirements Prior to being a TA Get this done asap!

10. Milestone 2: Satisfy Language Requirements English Proficiency Test Required Scores TOEFL iBT 24 or higher (speaking sub-section) IELTS (academic exam) 8 or higher (speaking sub-section) OEAI 4CP, 5, or 6 4CP is a conditional pass which requires completion of ESL 508 before or during the first semester of teaching

11. Milestone 3: Satisfy Course Requirements Required prior to graduation, but recommended by end of second or third year Program of study courses: Some must be satisfied pre-qual Some must be satisfied pre-prelim

12. Ph.D. Coursework Requirements Requirements With approved CS M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit for the Degree 64 72 96 32 32 32 1. Thesis Research CS 599 (minimum applied toward degree) 16 24 48 2. Course Work (min) 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level)

13. Proposed Ph.D. Coursework Requirements Requirements With approved CS M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit for the Degree 64 72 96 32 32 32 1. Thesis Research CS 599 (minimum applied toward degree) 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Students coming in with non-CS graduate degrees will get graduate credit, but will have to take the same number of CS courses as a student coming in with a BS

14. Proposed Ph.D. Coursework Requirements Requirements With approved CS M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit for the Degree 64 72 96 32 32 32 1. Thesis Research CS 599 (minimum applied toward degree) 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) Note: 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Students cannot take CS 599 until after they pass the qual. (exception in semester qual is taken)

15. Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar

16. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar This has to be 500-level CS True classes n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar

17. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 This can be True graduate classes from any department! n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar

18. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar This has to be graduate-level CS True classes

19. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Minimum CS True Class Credit Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar

20. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Minimum ALL True Class Credit Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar

21. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar This can all be 597 + 491/591 credits!

22. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar This can be True graduate classes from any department!

23. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 24 48 2. Course Work (minimum) 12 12 12 CS 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 591 4 4 4 Additional 500-level course work not individual study or seminar n/a 8 8 CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work not CS 597 nor CS 491/591 n/a n/a 24 Additional graduate-level 400- or 500- level course work Includes up to 16 hours of CS 597 Includes up to 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined No non-CS ind. study or seminar This is also where the students with a graduate degrees get their credit!

24. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship

25. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship This can all be additional 599 credits! This can be additional 597/491/591 credits not used in section 2 above! This can include True graduate classes from any department!

26. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship This makes sure that the advisor is either core or affiliate CS! All core or affiliate faculty have a CS 599 rubric

27. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship Max 16 hours of individual study applied towards graduation Extra hours of individual study can be used to satisfy full registration in a given semester

28. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship Students can take 8 hours of 597 per semester

29. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first Taship Oversight If <= 4 hours, standard process If > 4 hours, additional faculty justification Late add past 10th day, additional faculty justification

30. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship 8 hours includes CS 591 PhD and CS 591 TA

31. Proposed Requirements With approved C.S. M.S. With approved graduate degree With B.S. degree Credit hours: Hours Hours Hours Total Credit 64 72 96 16 16 16 3. Additional thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (400- or 500-level) Thesis research hours must be CS 599 Includes CS 597 and CS 491/591 Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/591 combined towards degree Not to exceed 8 hours of CS 597 per semester Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/591 Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship This makes sure the individual study is either core or affiliate CS faculty or the seminar is CS All core or affiliate faculty have a CS 597 rubric

32. Program of Study Form List the courses you plan to take with rationale, and get three faculty to agree on the curriculum plan Area choice for Program of Study due October 21st Final Program of Study form due December 2nd to the department We recommend you work on this early

33. Course Strategies First two to three years, as needed afterward Don t take more than needed, use independent study (CS597) Take courses beneficial to your research Merge research and course projects

34. Milestone 4: Pass Qualifying Exam An advisor agreement is required to take qual Language requirement must be satisfied to take qual Test breadth and depth of knowledge in area Common format (but is area-specific) Read 3 to 5 papers, in-person Q&A Two attempts, First attempt must be by the fouth semester Pass by end of third year

35. Prepare for the qualifying exam Take courses in your area Seek advice from students who took it Take paper critiques in courses seriously Write your own paper

36. Milestone 5: Be a TA Be a TA for an entire term Complete by the end of the 5th year Receive a satisfactory performance evaluation from the instructor The TA training seminar must also be taken prior to or concurrent with holding the teaching assistantship. Meet the following criteria A 50% teaching assistantship, or A 25% solo teaching assistantship TAships for any CS 591 course do not count towards the TA requirement

37. Milestone 6: Pass Prelim Exam Consists of a document and presentation document describes the plan and status About 1/2 to 2/3 of the proposed work is already complete (write as if none of the work is done, then give status) Think of it as a contract Required within 5 years without M.S. degree 4 years with CS M.S. degree from outside UIUC 3 years with M.S. degree from UIUC

38. Form Prelim Exam Committee Requirements are complex, but main rules are: 4 voting members 3 members must belong to the graduate faculty 2 members are tenured (Associate or Full professors) 3 from the extended CS faculty 1 member from outside the University

39. Example Committee 2 Associate / Full professors from CS 1 Assistant Professor from CS or is an affiliate 1 member from an industry research lab

40. Milestone 7: Write Dissertation 100+ pages of content Plan 4+ months for writing, including revisions Schedule defense once a near final draft is complete

41. Milestone 8: Pass Defense One hour presentation to the committee; open to the public committee can remain the same as for the prelim Followed by 30 minutes of Q&A Followed by deliberation and a committee vote (P / F)

42. Final Milestone: Employment! Prepare research and teaching statements Prepare polished job talk Discuss career options and preparations next time

43. What you should be doing NOW Searching for advisor Independent study Exploring research groups Attending seminars in areas of interest Satisfying course requirements Reading research papers

44. End of Y1 milestones (lower bound) Have an advisor Have a research direction of interest Be an apprentice on an existing research project Get name on paper as non-primary author Satisfy your language requirements

45. In Conclusion The PhD program has many milestones to keep you on track Review and increase focus as they approach Some flexibility in individual cases, but don t assume Satisfy Y1 milestones