Once approved by the advisor, the prospectus must be submitted to the members of the student's doctoral committee, to consist of five professors, including one from outside the College of Education. Students must accumulate 12 semester hours of dissertation research credit. The doctoral program culminates with a final oral defense of the dissertation. Social Foundation's graduate students find assistantship opportunities within the PPLS Division, other divisions of the College of Education, and departments outside the College of Education, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Assistantships accompany competitive monetary stipends and benefits packages, with one-quarter time or more assistants classified as residents for fee purposes.
Most appointments are for nine months beginning with the start of the academic year.
Some appointments are for summer sessions only. Appointments are usually made in late spring for the coming academic year. Assistantships are posted in the Graduate Assistantship Vacancy Directory. However, applicants should check directly with individual programs or divisions for positions that may not be advertised in the Directory. Special Graduate Assistantships Special graduate assistantship recipients assist the faculty in research and other scholarly activities in a field related to the student's interests.