Eventually a theme group of three faculty members become advisors. All students are encouraged to begin research early, under the guidance of faculty members, with the degree of supervision appropriate to the individual's level of experience. The research programs of the primary faculty, described in the enclosed supplement, are generally the ones in which graduate students are invited to participate. They are likely to provide the setting for most pre-dissertation projects. The pre-dissertation project may be completed anytime during the first or second year but must be completed, accepted by the advisor, and certified by the designated members of the student's theme group, by the end of the fourth term.
Most students work on research projects with more than one faculty member.
Hence, there are many opportunities to get to know a good portion of the faculty. Although a student usually remains with the main advisor selected by the end of the first year, there is little difficulty in changing advisors, should someone else better serve his or her research. With the exception of the clinical program, which places some special demands on students because of clinical licensure requirements, programs are quite fluid. Students may cross between programs or create their own as needed. A tremendous amount of freedom and flexibility is built into the Yale graduate program, so that students may create the programs of study and research which best suit their individual needs.