When did Ross get his Ph.D.?
The Friends episode "The One Where the Stripper Cries" establishes that Ross and Chandler did their undergraduate degrees from 1987 to 1991.
If I remember correctly, it's established that Ross already works at the museum when the show starts, around 1994. Either he already had his Ph.D. at this time, or he was still completing it sometime during the first few seasons.
Is it ever established specifically when he got his Ph.D.?
Best Answer
Being the massive Friends fan that I am, I'll try to piece together the information and come up with an answer.
We first have to look at the Thanksgiving episode The One with all the Thanksgivings. Ross introduces Chandler as his roommate and band member.
Thanksgiving 1987:
Ross: (entering) Hey!
Mr. Geller: Oh my!
Ross: Uh, everyone, this is Chandler! My roommate and lead singer of our band!
Given that this is the first time the family meets Chandler, I'm guessing this is Ross and Chandler's first year or even semester in college. If not, this means he had a roommate for a lot longer and he didn't mention at least a name to his parents.
Ross: So I’m thinking about asking Rachel out tonight. Y'know maybe play her that song we wrote last week.
Chandler: Emotional Knapsack?
Ross: Yeah.
The next flash back happens in The One where the Stripper Cries:
Note: Ross and Chandler are at a Class of '91 reunion
Flashback, Year 1987
Ross: Hey. Hey, check out the flyers for the band. I made 'em on a Macintosh in the computer room!
Chandler: Awesome, the name really stands out.
Ross: Thanks to a little something called "Helvetica Bold 24 point"!
The One with all the Thanksgivings:
Thanksgiving 1988
They remain friends and room mates, and again Chandler is invited to Thanksgiving, only this time Monica is thin.
The One With the Sonogram at the End:
The first appearance of the museum.
Museum of Prehistoric History, Ross and a co-worker (Marsha) are setting up an exhibit which includes some mannequins of cave people
Assuming the air date is also the same date in the episode, and that the museum requires a Ph.D to work there, it takes place in 1994.
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Images: Tatiana Syrikova, Ketut Subiyanto, Robert Nagy, Mary Taylor