Assignment of the Academic Advisor and Selection of the Dissertation Chair

POLICY:

Students in the PhD Program in Nursing will be assigned a Faculty Advisor based on an assessment of their research interest as conveyed in their application to the PhD Program and their application interview. Once assigned, the Faculty Advisor will be responsible for the PhD student’s initial program planning and will provide guidance for the student’s exploration of research opportunities in the School of Nursing and the University.

Faculty Advisors will also advise PhD students to meet with faculty with whom the students have common research interests with a goal of identifying a focused area of research for the dissertation and of identifying a faculty member who agrees to assume the role of the student’s Dissertation Chair. Formal declaration of the student’s Dissertation Chair should be submitted to the PhD Program Director at the time that the application form for the Preliminary Examination is completed.

PROCEDURE:

1. Assignment of the Faculty Advisor will be documented on the Status Form for Graduate Programs under Doctoral-Milestones.
2. The PhD student will meet with faculty members with whom they share common research interests with a goal of identifying a focused area of research for the dissertation and of identifying a faculty member who agrees to assume the role of the student’s Dissertation Chair.
3. The student will negotiate agreement with the faculty member who will become their Dissertation Chair.
4. The Dissertation Chair will notify the PhD Program Director on/or before the time the application form for the Preliminary Examination is submitted that they will serve as the Chair.