Last week saw the official end of my fourth semester as a PhD student.  Grades have been posted and all is well!  I’ve also submitted a draft of my Field of Study Plan that will be updated over the coming months.

So what’s next?

This summer will be spent reading in support of updating my Field of Study Plan and creating my Field Statement.  The Field of Study Plan is a brief document prepared in anticipation of the Field Statement.  It enumerates the elective courses I intend to include in my studies as well as a description of what area of public policy I intend to cover in my fields and ultimately my dissertation.  The Field Statement builds upon this plan and further narrows my focus while increasing my expertise in my chosen area (nuclear proliferation policy).  It will also help me understand what other areas of public policy are influential in the conduct of nuclear proliferation policy.  Although I have no coursework this summer, it promises to be a busy one.

Before you know it, August will be here and semester #5 will begin.  Stay tuned for updates!