Typical PhD Schedule
07/08/2025 2025-08-07 15:30Typical PhD Schedule
Doctoral Program Typical Schedule
Alma Mater Europaea University, Campus Vienna, remote PhD program is designed for working professionals, researchers, and innovators who seek academic excellence without lectures, exams, or classrooms. Instead, you will work independently, guided by milestones, to produce original research that advances science and shapes the future of AI.
Independent Work
You lead your own research journey. We support — but do not micromanage. There are no lectures or mandatory classes. Instead, you receive assignments, submit reports, and progress toward clear academic goals.
Full Flexibility
Study from anywhere, at your own pace. The program is online with one annual 3-day event in Vienna or the US.
Scientific Rigor and Output
You are expected to publish at least one peer-reviewed article, present at at least one conference, write a doctoral dissertation, and defend it. This serious academic program is ideal for those who wish to become recognized experts, thought or business leaders.
Personalized Supervision
Choose your own supervisor — from our faculty or from any institution worldwide — based on your research interests.
A typical doctoral student's schedule over three years:
- 1 October 2025 – Semester 1 begins.
- Doctoral students meet professors and receive assignments for Semester 1 courses.
- Every Thursday at 17:00 CET – Weekly online meetings with fellow students and/or professors to report on progress and discuss research.
- Every Thursday – Students submit short weekly progress reports.
- End of each course – Students submit assignments and course reports.
- 9 February 2026 – Students submit the End-of-Semester 1 Report.
Semester 2
- 10 February 2026 – Semester 2 begins
- Doctoral students meet professors and receive assignments for Semester 2 courses.
- Every Thursday at 17:00 CET – Weekly online meetings with fellow students and/or professors to report on progress and discuss research.
- Every Thursday – Students submit short weekly progress reports.
- March 2026 – Four-day in-person intensive meeting in Vienna, Austria.
- End of each course – Students submit assignments and course reports.
- 30 June 2026 – Students submit:
- End-of-Semester 2 Report
- Proposed Research Area Document (approx. 3 pages)
Semester 3
- 1 October 2026 – Semester 3 begins
- Students take elective courses and primarily focus on researching their chosen topic.
- Throughout the semester:
- Weekly progress reports and meetings
- Attendance or participation in one or two academic conferences
- Submission of short publications or initial research articles
- Student connects with the supervisor/mentor
- 30 June 2027 – Students submit:
- End-of-Semester 3 Report
- Dissertation Research Proposal (approx. 30 pages)
Semester 4
- 10 February 2027 – Semester 4 begins
- Students focus on finalizing their Dissertation Research Proposal.
- Throughout the semester:
- Continued conference participation and publication efforts
- Four-day intensive meeting (Europe or U.S.) with student research presentations – March 2027
- 30 June 2027 – Students submit:
- End-of-Semester 4 Report
- Final Dissertation Research Proposal (approx. 30 pages)
Semester 5
- 1 October 2027 – Semester 5 begins
- Students engage in dissertation research, writing, and optional conference participation.
- March 2028 – Seminar where candidates present ongoing doctoral research.
- 30 June 2028 – Students submit:
- End-of-Semester 5 Report
- Updated Dissertation Research Proposal (if needed)
Semester 6
- 10 February 2028 – Semester 6 begins
- Students complete their dissertation and prepare for the defense.
- March 2028 – Final conference or seminar presentation of doctoral research.
- April–June 2028 – Submission of the Doctoral Dissertation.
- July–September 2028 – Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation.
