There are two possible paths toward a PhD in astronomy. (1) Students starting with a STEM Bachelor's or Master's degree take a series of courses and research projects during their first two years. (2) Students who already have a Master's degree in astronomy or equivalent may be able to fast-track through many of the prerequisites their first year. Both paths converge with an oral interview to assess understanding in the research the students have conducted and their broader knowledge of the field. Subsequently, all students propose a dissertation topic at the Comprehensive Examination, conduct the research, write a PhD dissertation, and present their work at a Final Examination.