Plant Pathology Graduate Program Timelines

Timeline for M.S. Degree in Plant Pathology

This timeline assumes students begin in the Fall semester. Thirty (30) semester hours are required to graduate with an M.S. degree in plant pathology.

Time Frame Action
Semester 1 Outline research project with major advisor and discuss potential
committee members (3 minimum required).
Semester 2 Form committee, have first committee meeting, develop Plan of Work (POW) with input from major advisor and committee.
Semester 2 Draft POW should be submitted to the GSC for review prior to submission to the graduate school. POW should be submitted to and approved by the Graduate School prior to the beginning of the third semester.
Semester 3 With input from the major advisor, MS students must register for PP601 and present in the Masters Symposium during the third semester. Students are eligible present after the second semester in residence and 1 presentation in the MS symposium is required on the POW. Any alteration on when to present must be discussed between student and their committee and approved by the DGP. Students who remain in residence (eg. have not completed their defense) during the fifth semester must present a second time in the Masters Symposium.
 Semester 3 Thesis defense should be organized with input from the major advisor and committee after sufficient research progress is accomplished. Visit the Graduate School website for the schedule of required documents.

Celebrate! You’re done.

Timeline for Ph.D. Degree in Plant Pathology

This timeline assumes students begin in the Fall semester. Seventy-two (72) semester hours are required to graduate with a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology.

Ph.D. without Prior Master’s Degree

Time Frame Action
Semester 1 Outline research project with the major advisor and discuss potential committee members (4 minimum required).
Semester 2 Form committee, have the first committee meeting and present proposal seminar, preferably immediately preceding first committee meeting (register for PP801). Develop Plan of Work (POW) with input from major advisor and committee.
Semester 2 Draft POW should be submitted to the GSC for review prior to submission to the graduate school. POW should be submitted to and approved by the Graduate School prior to the beginning of the third semester
Semester 4 Students should plan to take their written/oral preliminary examinations immediately following the fourth semester in residence. With input from the major advisor, PhD students may register for PP801 and present in the PhD Symposium. Students may present after the third semester in residence and 1 presentation in the PhD symposium is required on the POW. The decision on when to present is up to the student and their committee.
Semester 8 Coursework should be completed by the end of the eighth semester.
Semester 8 Dissertation defense should be organized with input from the major advisor and committee after sufficient research progress is accomplished. Students should be sure to resister for the ETD workshop and follow all guidelines for electronic submission. Visit the Graduate School website for the schedule of required documents.

Celebrate! You’re done.


Ph.D. with Prior Master’s Degree

The requirements are identical as for the Ph.D. without a prior master’s degree, with the following exceptions:

Students may transfer up to 18 credit hours from a master’s degree earned at another institution or if there has been a break in continuing between the master’s and the Ph.D. The director of graduate programs will advise on transfer credits as they relate to plant pathology requirements.

Transfer of graduate credits earned at other universities

  • A course that was completed at another college or university may be considered for  transfer to a master’s program provided that:
  1. The course is classified as a graduate course;
  2. It was completed while the student was in a graduate or postbaccalaureate
    classification;
  3. It was not taken as part of a previous master’s degree program at another institution;
  4. The grade in the course is B or better (courses with grades of B- or lower will not be allowed to transfer); and
  5. The college or university is accredited by one of the following six U.S. regional accrediting agencies: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle  States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of Colleges and Schools, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools, or the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Students who continue directly from a master’s degree to a Ph.D. degree at NC State University may transfer up to 36 credit hours from the master’s. The director of graduate programs will advise on transfer credits as they relate to plant pathology requirements.
  • Students with a master’s degree are expected to have Ph.D. coursework completed by the end of the sixth semester.