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Research Degree Requirements

Graduate School requirements vary by degree program. With the exception of some professional master’s degree programs, the Graduate School imposes no requirements for credits or courses. Research students have the freedom to shape a course of study that cuts across interrelated field offerings, while working within an academic framework developed with a Special Committee of faculty advisors chosen by the student.

The Code of Legislation sets forth the rules governing graduate education as established by the graduate faculty of Cornell University. Students should familiarize themselves with the content of the Code and how it pertains to their programs. The complete Code is available for download.

*Please consult your field handbook as some programs set earlier deadlines for these milestones.

More Information

Chair Nomination

Faculty member who represents major subject

Deadline:

By end of 3rd week of 1st semester

Extension:

Can assign DGS as temporary chair

Tracking:

  • Committee Formation and Deadlines
  • Graduate Students w/Current Committee Members
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Training that addresses issues of authorship, peer review, plagiarism, and research misconduct.

Deadline:

Each student must complete online training through Cornell’s Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) prior to the end of the second registered semester.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

Every graduate student pursuing a research degree (master’s or doctoral) is required to have an ORCID that signals they are affiliated with Cornell.

Deadline:

End of second registered semester.

Special Committee

Three member committee consisting of chair and two minor members.

Deadline:

By end of 3rd semester.

Extension:

1 semester extension with petition, submitted before end of 3rd semester.

Tracking:

  • Committee Formation and Deadlines
  • Graduate Students w/ Current Committee Members
  • Milestone Petition Dashboard
Student Progress Reviews (SPRs)

Supports the regular exchange of constructive, written feedback between advisees and advisors.

Deadline:

By the end of the second spring semester, and each spring semester thereafter. (Some fields require an SPR earlier).

A Exam

Examination for Admission to Candidacy.

Deadline:

Before beginning of 7th semester (end of 3rd year), by the end of the 6th semester for Sage.

Extension:

1 semester extension with petition, submitted before start of 7th semester.

Tracking:

  • A Exam Deadlines
  • Milestone Exam Details
  • Milestone Petition Dashboard
B Exam

Oral defense of dissertation.

Deadline:

By 14th semester (no more than 7 years), minimum of 6 registered semesters, at least 2 semesters between A & B exam.

Extension:

1 semester extension with petition, submitted on 1st of the month prior to conferral.

Tracking:

  • Approaching Time to Degree
  • Milestone Exam Details
  • Managing Career Status & TTD
Dissertation

Requirement of Ph.D. degree.

Deadline:

By 14th semester (no more than 7 years).

Extension:

1 semester extension with petition, submitted on 1st of the month prior to conferral.

Tracking:

  • Thesis/Dissertation Approval System
  • Provisional Degree List