As with any of life's adventures, students in the HIED program reach several milestones that represent significant advances toward the final degree. Below is a list of those milestones that are planned:

• Application and Admission to the Ph.D. Program
• Assignment of a Temporary Advisor
• Coursework
• Selection of Program Advisor
• Completion and Filing of a Tentative Degree Program (TDP)
• Coursework Completion
• Selection of a Preliminary Exam Committee
• Preliminary Examination
• Selection of Dissertation Topic
• Selection of Dissertation Chair & Committee
• Development of Dissertation Proposal
• Defense and Approval of Proposal
• Admission to Candidacy
• Completion of Dissertation
• Dissertation Defense
• Ph.D. Degree Conferred