All but dissertation

This past Monday (4/20) the boy took the leap from being a PhD Student to a PhD candidate. He presented his oral dissertation proposal defense. There were three possible outcomes: rejection, pass with revisions, or pass. He passed.

I was not aware of the difference between student and candidate. Apparently you are a PhD student or doctoral student while you are completing necessary coursework and examinations. Once you pass all that you become a "PhD candidate" - which means you've completed all but your dissertation.

I believe he spent the previous three years completing his coursework and examinations (2 or 3, I'm not sure off the top of my head). He hopes to have his dissertation completed in the next two years, if not sooner. I believe his stipend is for 5 years.

As for his proposal...

• It was 28 single spaced pages
• He hopes for the completed dissertation to be six chapters
• The title was "Critical Limit: Addiction, Capitalism, and the Alienation of Consumption." (he says this will not likely be the title of the finished product)

And... that's about all I know. In fact,  I am putting this on the blog so I can try to remember even this much. I'd love to read the proposal, but I suppose I can wait for the book. We are, nonetheless, very proud parents.

The boy cried every day his first three years of school because he didn't want to go. So this should be encouraging to parents in the same boat. Now he doesn't appear to ever want to stop. God, bless him. :)