SOPR PhD Program Schedule

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The Social Practice and Transformational Change PhD program is designed to be completed over 12 semesters of full-time study, with progress reports each semester. See the expected program schedule below.


Year 1

Semester 1

  • Begin the course SOPR*6000 Social Practice and Transformational Change (SOPR*6000 meets bi-weekly in both Semester 1 and 2)
  • Begin the course SOPR*6200 Methodologies Lab (SOPR*6200 meets weekly in Semester 1 and students do independent work in Semester 2)
  • Begin the Community of Practice
  • Begin development of the individual development plan (IDP) and research proposal
  • Begin advisory committee selection

Semester 2

  • Complete the course SOPR*6000 Social Practice and Transformational Change
  • Complete the course SOPR*6200 Methodologies Lab
  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue development of the IDP and research proposal
  • Complete advisory committee selection

Semester 3

  • Begin preparation for the Qualifying Exam
  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue development of the IDP and research proposal

Year 2

Semester 4

  • Begin the course SOPR*6100 Research and Social Practice
  • Continue preparation for the Qualifying Exam
  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue development of the IDP and research proposal

Semester 5

  • Complete the course SOPR*6100 Research and Social Practice
  • Complete the Qualifying Exam
  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Complete development of the IDP and research proposal

Semester 6

  • Research proposal approved
  • Continue the Community of Practice

Year 3

Semester 7

  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Begin thesis research

Semester 8

  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue thesis research

Semester 9

  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue thesis research

Year 4

Semester 10

  • Continue the Community of Practice
  • Continue thesis research

Semester 11

  • Complete the Community of Practice
  • Complete thesis research

Semester 12

  • Thesis defence