Steve Tippins explains why PhDs take 6 to 8 years despite programs advertising 3 to 4. Advisor turnover, committee members dying, and other disruptions force students to rebuild and start over. He points to a free dissertation help group for stuck students.
So let's talk about what a doctorate— what the journey looks like. If you get the literature from just about any school, they will say something like, and you can graduate in 3 years or maybe 4 years. And that's true, but most people take longer. It can take 6, 7, 8 years to finish. So understand that life comes along. Sometimes you have an advisor who leaves. I talked to a person this week who's been delayed on their dissertation because not one, but 2 members of their committee have died. Wow. While being on their committee. And then you have to go reformat the committee. I suggested that if I were a faculty member at her school, I wouldn't want to serve on her committee because it looks like serving on her committee may lead to death. But that can slow you down. If you're stuck along the way, join our free dissertation help group.
