In order to help ensure that incoming students get the in-depth advising they need to develop a customized program of study, the Doctoral Committee selects an advisor for each student during the admissions process, matching theoretical and substantive interests. Students are then free to change advisors as his or her course of study evolves. The assessment is concerned with developing expertise rather than meeting milestones, so that conversations between student and advisor focus on intellectual and skill development. Students hold research assistant positions beginning in their first year in the program to ensure that they are connected with relevant faculty to develop the skills needed to initiate and complete independent research. Students who have completed the qualifying exam can participate in a faculty-sponsored Proposal Workshop, which provides students with the opportunity to present and refine their ideas for their dissertations as well as with a structure for moving through the steps of developing a proposal.
Teaching assistants receive additional compensation.
In order to help ensure that incoming students get the in-depth advising they need to develop a customized program of study, the Doctoral Committee selects an advisor for each student during the admissions process, matching theoretical and substantive interests. Students are then free to change advisors as his or her course of study evolves. The assessment is concerned with developing expertise rather than meeting milestones, so that conversations between student and advisor focus on intellectual and skill development. Students hold research assistant positions beginning in their first year in the program to ensure that they are connected with relevant faculty to develop the skills needed to initiate and complete independent research. Students who have completed the qualifying exam can participate in a faculty-sponsored Proposal Workshop, which provides students with the opportunity to present and refine their ideas for their dissertations as well as with a structure for moving through the steps of developing a proposal.