Apply to Candidacy then DISS?

[TheLostExploration]

Is your experience similar?

I need to complete ALL of my coursework before applying for candidacy - this can be done during the last semester coursework will be completed. Once the comp exams are completed, also during last semester of coursework the following semester I will enroll in my dissertation class for 3 hours for the next 3 or more semesters until the dissertation is completed and degree conferred. Does this sound right? Am I missing something?

I don't want to take this question to my advisor yet, just looking for your experience.

Thanks.

[TakeruK]

Yes, this is typical. In my program, we always have to be enrolled for 36 units every semester (a class is generally 9 units, because it represents 3 hours/week of lectures plus 6 hours/week of homework). 

So, during coursework phase, most students enroll in 18-27 units of courses, and 9-18 units of "independent study" or "directed research" with their advisor.

We apply for candidacy once we complete coursework, and after candidacy, we enroll in 36 units of "Thesis Research". I'm taking an extra class right now, so I'm enrolled in 36 units of "Thesis Research" plus 9 units of my elective class. This is kind of symbolic---it's showing that I'm taking this course as "extra" and that it won't cut into my research time. But it's also practical---if I decide to drop this course, I'll still have 36 research units and thus keep my full time student standing (which is required to receive funding, and for international students like me, required to keep my foreign student status).

I know you are just looking for experiences right now, but ultimately, every school is different and you should make sure you clear your plan with your advisor

[fuzzylogician]

This sounds like a relatively common way of doing things, but the precise steps one needs to take change from program to program, so if you're not sure, you'll need to consult with someone from your program. Maybe try asking a senior student who's just gone through the relevant steps, or your department's admin person or the DGS. In general, you shouldn't necessarily trust your advisor for these technical requirement questions; advisors know how to help you with your research, but they are sometimes ignorant of official program requirements. 

[TheLostExploration]

Thank you both for your replies. Yes, I have found that my advisor does not know exactly the requirements or makes suggestions that do not quite match the graduate catalog. Before reading the catalog I thought I could complete my dissertation anytime during my final year. Instead, it seems like it will be an added year to my coursework, just the research.

What a journey!

[TakeruK]

6 hours ago, fuzzylogician said:

In general, you shouldn't necessarily trust your advisor for these technical requirement questions; advisors know how to help you with your research, but they are sometimes ignorant of official program requirements. 

Good point! I was thinking advisor = academic advisor instead of research advisor (since it's more common to say "supervisor" in Canada).