Paths to Degree

Academic Year One

• Take required courses:
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Spring)
  • EES 716 Earth System I (Fall)
  • EES 717 Earth System II (Spring)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• Enroll in any additional courses that you and your advisor may decide are important for your specific area of research.
• Consider attending professional conferences in your specific area of research.
• If you have not selected your dissertation advisor you will need to do so by the end of the spring semester. You may change your advisor and research topic after the First Exam is given if you feel this is important for your professional goals. We encourage each sudent to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors
• Prepare to take the First Year Exam at the end of the Spring Semester

Academic Year Two

• Take any additional courses determined to be of importance to your research area in consultation with your academic/thesis advisor and complete all course work including EES 802 Dissertation Proposal Workshop
• Identify your thesis topic and start your research in consultation with your advisor
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas.
• Consider presenting a paper at an academic conference
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation.

Academic Year Three

• After passing First Exam and successfully completing 45 credits, move to Level II tuition status
• Complete dissertation proposal, set date for Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research and/or consult archives to develop your dissertation ideas.
• Present a paper(s) at an academic conference(s)

Academic Year Four

• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy
• Conduct dissertation research
• Apply for dissertation research funding within and outside CUNY
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Five

• Conduct dissertation research
• Apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article(s) to a journal for publication
• Present paper(s) at a conference(s)
• Begin to write your thesis

Academic Year Six

• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete data analysis and write dissertation
• During summer before Year Six, begin to assemble letters, CV, and other material for job search
• Early in Fall Semester meet with advisor to discuss whether commencing job search is appropriate
• Along the way send dissertation chapter(s) to journal(s) for publication
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Revise and deposit dissertation paying attention to University deadlines for Spring, Fall, Winter Commencement dates

Academic Year One

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Spring)
  • EES 716 Earth System I (Fall)
  • EES 717 Earth System II (Spring)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• In selecting courses, be mindful of preparing for the First Exam
• Consider attending professional conferences in your specific area of research.
• If you have not selected your dissertation advisor you will need to do so by the end of the spring semester. You may change your advisor and research topic after the First Exam is given if you feel this is important for your professional goals. We encourage each student to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors
• Prepare for the First Year Exam, which takes place at the end of year 1

Academic Year Two

• After passing the First Exam, up to 30 credits from Masters degree can be transferred.  Consult with Executive Officer or Deputy Executive Officer to arrange transfer. Move to Level II tuition status.
• Identify a research topic, in you have not already done so
• Complete all additional course work that your thesis advisor and you agree you may need to take plus take EES 802 Dissertation Proposal Workshop.
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas and write dissertation proposal
• Present a paper(s) at an academic conference(s)
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation.

Academic Year Three

• Complete dissertation proposal, set date and take the Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research and/or consult archives for your dissertation proposal
• Present paper(s) at an academic conference(s)

Academic Year Four

• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy (this can also occur in year three after successfully passing the Second Exam if you have 60 credits accumulated).
• Apply for dissertation research funding or if possible for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Conduct dissertation research
• Present paper(s) at an academic conference(s)
• Consider sending an article(s) to a journal for publication
• Beginning writing your dissertation

Academic Year Five

• Complete dissertation research and in close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee and finish writing up
• Set a date for Exam Three (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• During summer before Year Five, begin to assemble letters, CV, and other material for job search and actively look for jobs
• Early in Fall Semester meet with advisor to discuss whether commencing job search is appropriate
• If necessary, apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article(s) to a journal for publication
• Present paper at a conference

Academic Year Six

• If you did not finish your thesis writing in Year Five focus on finishing your thesis and publishing your findings in a professional journal.
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Actively search for jobs or post-doctoral positions
• Revise and deposit dissertation in time for May Commencement

Academic Year One

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Fall)
  • EES 712 Geographic Thought and Theory (Fall)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• In selecting courses, be mindful of preparing for the First Exam
• Consider attending a professional conference—the AAG Meetings, the regional AAG Meetings, the American Studies Meetings, the Meetings of the Urban Affairs Association, etc.
• Select an academic advisor who may or may not become your dissertation advisor. We encourage all students to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors.

Academic Year Two

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including a research methodology course if you have not taken one first year.
• Prepare for and take the First Exam in the summer between your second and third years.
• Consider presenting a paper at an academic conference
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation.

Academic Year Three

• After passing First Exam and successfully completing 45 credits, move to Level II tuition status
• Complete remaining course requirements, including:
  • EES 802 Dissertation Proposal Workshop (Spring)
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas.
• Working closely with your advisor and committee, develop and write dissertation proposal
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research, and/or consult archives to develop your dissertation ideas.
• Apply for dissertation research funding within and outside CUNY
• Present a paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Four

• Complete dissertation proposal, set date for Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy
• Conduct dissertation research
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Five

• Conduct dissertation research
• Apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article based on a revised seminar paper or other work to a journal for publication
• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete data analysis and start writing dissertation
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Six

• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete dissertation writing
• During summer before Year Six, begin to assemble letters, CV, and other material for job search
• Early in Fall Semester meet with advisor to discuss whether commencing job search is appropriate
• Consider sending out additional publications
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Revise and deposit dissertation paying attention to University deadlines for Spring, Fall, Winter Commencement dates

Academic Year One

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Spring)
  • EES 712 Geographic Thought and Theory (Fall)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• In selecting courses, be mindful of preparing for the First Exam
• Consider attending a professional conference—the AAG Meetings, the regional AAG Meetings, the American Studies Meetings, the Meetings of the Urban Affairs Association, etc.
• Select an academic advisor who may or may not become your dissertation advisor. We encourage all students to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors.

Academic Year Two

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including a research methodology course if you have not taken one first year.
• Prepare for and take the First Exam in August before 3rd Year
• After passing the First Exam, up to 30 credits from Masters degree can be transferred. Consult with Executive Officer or Deputy Executive Officer to arrange transfer. Move to Level II tuition status.
• Consider presenting a paper at an academic conference
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation.

Academic Year Three

• Complete remaining course requirements, including:
  • EES 802 Dissertation Proposal Workshop
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas and write dissertation proposal
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research and/or consult archives for your dissertation proposal
• Present a paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Four

• Complete dissertation proposal, set date for Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy
• Apply for dissertation research funding or if possible for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Conduct dissertation research
• Present paper at an academic conference
• Consider sending an article based on a revised seminar paper or other work to a journal for publication

Academic Year Five

• Complete dissertation research and in close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, begin data analysis and write up
• During summer before Year Five, begin to assemble letters, CV, and other material for job search
• Early in Fall Semester meet with advisor to discuss whether commencing job search is appropriate
• If necessary, apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article based on a revised seminar paper or other work to a journal for publication
• Present paper at a conference

Academic Year Six

• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete draft of dissertation
• During summer before Year Six, reassemble CV, request letters, and other material for job search
• Send dissertation chapter(s) to journal(s) for publication
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Revise and deposit dissertation in time for May Commencement

Academic Year One

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Environmental Psychology: People, Nature, Space and Place (Spring)
  • Social and Political Ecology of Environmental Justice (Fall)
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Fall)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• In selecting elective courses, be mindful of preparing for the First Exam.
• Consider attending a professional conference—for example, meetings of the: American Psychological Association (APA), American Planning Association (APA), Environment Design Research Association (EDRA), and International Association of People-Environment Studies (IAPS) .
• Select an academic advisor who may or may not become your dissertation advisor. We encourage all students to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors.

Academic Year Two

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • Ethnographic and Participatory Methods for the Study of Space and Place
  • Journal Article Writing Course
• Suggested to take Independent study for Field Research Paper during Spring. 
• Write Field Research Paper during summer.
• Prepare for and take the First Exam in the summer between your second and third years
• Consider presenting a paper at an academic conference
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation

Academic Year Three

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required course:
  • EES 80200 Workshop for Dissertation Proposal Writing (Fall)
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas.
• Working closely with your advisor and committee, develop and write dissertation proposal. Set date for Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research, and/or consult archives to develop your dissertation ideas.
• Prepare for and take the Second Exam, “Proposal Defense”, in the summer between your third and fourth years.

Academic Year Four

• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy
• Conduct dissertation research
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Five

• Conduct dissertation research
• Apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article based on a revised seminar paper or other work to a journal for publication
• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete data analysis and start writing dissertation
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Six

• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete dissertation writing
• During summer before Year Six, begin to assemble letters, CV, and other material for job search
• Early in Fall Semester meet with advisor to discuss whether commencing job search is appropriate
• Consider sending out additional publications
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Revise and deposit dissertation paying attention to University deadlines for Spring, Fall, Winter Commencement dates

Academic Year One

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Environmental Psychology: People, Nature, Space and Place (Spring)
  • Social and Political Ecology of Environmental Justice (Fall)
  • EES 704 The Nature of Scientific Research (Fall)
• Register for and attend the weekly colloquium in Fall and Spring:
  • EES 799 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Science
• In selecting elective courses, be mindful of preparing for the First Exam.
• Consider attending a professional conference— for example, meetings of the: American Psychological Association (APA), American Planning Association (APA), Environment Design Research Association (EDRA), and International Association of People-Environment Studies (IAPS) .
• Select an academic advisor who may or may not become your dissertation advisor. We encourage all students to work closely with an advisor, but also understand that as your ideas develop you may change advisors.

Academic Year Two

• Take 3-4 seminars each semester, including required courses:
  • Ethnographic and Participatory Methods for the Study of Space and Place
  • Journal Article Writing Course
• Suggested to take Independent study for Field Research Paper during Spring. 
• Write Field Research Paper during summer.
• Prepare for and take the First Exam in the summer between your second and third years.
• After passing the First Exam, up to 30 credits from Masters degree can be transferred. Consult with Executive Officer or Deputy Executive Officer to arrange transfer. Move to Level II tuition status.
• Consider presenting a paper at an academic conference
• Apply for various funding opportunities at the Graduate Center and elsewhere to conduct preliminary research for your dissertation

Academic Year Three

• Complete course work, including required course:
  • EES 80200 Workshop for Dissertation Proposal Writing (Fall)
• In consultation with your advisor, select a dissertation committee and work with them as you develop your dissertation ideas.
• Working closely with your advisor and committee, develop and write dissertation proposal. Set date for Second Exam (Proposal Defense)
• Apply for funds to conduct preliminary research, and/or consult archives to develop your dissertation ideas.
• Prepare for and take the Second Exam, “Proposal Defense”, in the summer between your third and fourth years.

Academic Year Four

• After Passing Second Exam and successfully completing 60 credits, move to Level III tuition status and advance to Candidacy
• Conduct dissertation research
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Five

• Conduct dissertation research
• Apply for dissertation writing fellowships within and outside CUNY
• Consider sending an article based on a revised seminar paper or other work to a journal for publication
• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete data analysis and start writing dissertation
• Present paper at an academic conference

Academic Year Six

• In close consultation with dissertation advisor and in conversation with committee, complete draft of dissertation
• During summer before Year Six, reassemble CV, request letters, and other material for job search
• Send dissertation chapter(s) to journal(s) for publication
• Complete dissertation and schedule Third Exam (Dissertation Defense), which is open to the public
• Revise and deposit dissertation in time for May Commencement