Program Milestones
While recognizing that each master's degree scholar will have his or her own individualized program and timeline, the Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA) Postdoctoral Programs Committee tracks certain milestones of program progress.
Milestone 1: Research proposal
Your master's research proposal and supporting materials are due on the first business day in January following your year of admission. However, you are encouraged to submit them earlier. See the research requirements page for a complete list of materials you need to submit for this milestone.
If you applied by the March 1 deadline, this means you have about nine months to develop the proposal; if you applied by the Sept. 1 deadline, you have only three months.
It's expected that master's scholars will follow this program timeline or propose an alternate timeline approved by the CTSA Postdoctoral Programs Committee. To remain in good standing, timeline compliance is required.
Milestone 2: Workshops
Scholars are required to attend the "Write Winning Grants" and "Writing for Biomedical Publications" workshops. Both are offered once each year.
Milestone 3: Biannual progress meeting reports
Meet with your Thesis Advisory Committee every six months following approval of your proposal, and complete and submit a progress report. This report should summarize the progress made to date and outline the projected timeline and expectations for the next meeting.
Milestone 4: Completion of didactic course work
The Postdoctoral Master's Degree Program requires that you complete 24 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Read more about the program's curriculum, including required and elective courses.
Milestone 5: Comprehensive Written Examination
On the Comprehensive Written Examination, you demonstrate your ability to integrate and synthesize the core competencies of the Postdoctoral Master's Degree Program.
Milestone 6: Submission and defense of thesis (Final Oral Examination)
The Final Oral Examination is a public forum in which you present your research and take questions from the audience.
Milestone 7: Graduation
Degrees are granted to Postdoctoral Master's Degree Program scholars four times a year.
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