Advising

Faculty research advisors guide students in critical areas such as selecting courses; designing and conducting research; developing teaching pedagogy; navigating policies and degree requirements; and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. The primary responsibility for monitoring the research progress of a Ph.D. student lies with the Ph.D. research advisor. An acceptable research dissertation must be presented for the Ph.D. degree. Because the development of a dissertation is usually an intense and personal process involving you and your research advisor, it is not possible to abstractly define an acceptable dissertation. You should be very careful to clearly understand your advisor’s expectations and standards before embarking too far into the research project. Switching your research topic without the consent of the research advisor will affect the status of good standing.