The proposal evaluation group meets with the student to offer suggestions for improving or modifying the plan of research, and to decide if the proposal is formally accepted. The chair of the dissertation committee takes the responsibility for implementing the suggestions that emerge from the evaluation meeting. Upon formal acceptance of the proposal in an evaluation meeting, no further action is required on the part of the two outside faculty members. Because Evaluation Meetings provide important learning experiences, other HD students are invited to attend as observers, with the candidate's permission. Notice of HD Evaluation Meetings are posted on the HD bulletin board.
Meetings are also open to all HD faculty.
Students must complete the proposal and have it formally evaluated by the end of the fourth year in Human Development, or two years beyond successful completion of the Trial Research paper, whichever is longer. This regulation applies regardless of whether or not the student has been registered for course work. Formal admission to candidacy is handled by the office of the Divisional Dean of Students and the HD office. After receiving the signed Recommendation to Candidacy form from the student or from the student's advisor, the HD Administrator will file this form with the Social Science Division, and that point, the student will have been admitted to candidacy. Admission to candidacy is noted on the student's transcript.