Academic Milestones

The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) Predoctoral Programs Committee recognizes that each student will have his or her own individualized program and timeline. But to facilitate the successful completion of the program, the committee tracks certain milestones to stay appraised of a student's progress.

Year 1

  • Complete three eight-week lab rotations within the first six months of year one.
  • Select your mentor and complete the Mentor Selection Form by April 1. (You must be logged into the Mayo Clinic network to access the form.)
  • Fill in the Degree Planning Tool (DPT) by year of matriculation, due to Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences before Thesis defense. (You must be logged into the Mayo Clinic network to access the tool.)
  • Enroll in CORE course work and electives.
  • Select Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) with first progress meeting by May 1.

Year 2

Year 3

  • Complete your Oral Qualifying Exam by Oct. 1.
  • Complete Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) progress reports by Jan. 1 and July 1. (You must be logged into the Mayo Clinic network to access the form.)

Year 4

  • Schedule your projected thesis defense date and complete the Verification that the Thesis is Ready to Defend form by Oct. 1. (You must be logged into the Mayo Clinic network to access the form.)
  • Complete a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) progress report by Jan. 1. (You must be logged into the Mayo Clinic network to access the form.)
  • Identify your postdoctoral plans.
  • Defend thesis by June 30.

Graduation

Degrees are granted four times a year — February, August, November and May. Those graduating in May are included in a joint Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-Mayo Clinic School of Medicine graduation ceremony. No ceremony is held in February, August and November, but students who graduate at one of these times are encouraged to participate in the May ceremony.

To graduate in February, August or November, you must have all requirements completed by the first business day of the month prior to the graduation month.

To graduate in May, you must have a draft of your thesis to your adviser by March 8 and your thesis defense scheduled. All other requirements must be completed by April 8, except submission of your thesis. The final copy of your thesis must be submitted one week before graduation day.

You're allowed no more than six months to complete Ph.D. degree requirements after a successful thesis defense.