Each 12-unit course should require no more than a quarter of the student's time during any one semester. So, typically a student tries to complete all coursework by the end of two years, at which point the student becomes involved in full-time research and starts thinking about research directions for a thesis. As the student's thesis research direction becomes clear, the student writes a thesis proposal and assembles a thesis committee with help from the student's advisor. The student then completes and defends the thesis, and graduates. Students, especially those who are about to finish, are encouraged to attend Emigration Course events.
Participation is completely voluntary.
For students who have a strong desire to teach, we offer a special Graduate Teaching Fellow program. Students who opt to complete this program are rewarded with a special letter of commendation signed by the Department Head. All requirements in the Ph.D. program must be fulfilled by work actually carried out at Carnegie Mellon University. The Ph.D. program provides each student with a periodic evaluation of his or her progress. Continuation in the Ph.D. program is contingent on making satisfactory progress.