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Student Advisement
The advisement of students is a continuous process throughout the
several phases of doctoral study and normally adheres to the following
general guidelines. Students are encouraged to consult with the
Executive Officer for further explanation and clarification about
any aspect of advisement as the need arises.
Entering Students
The Executive Officer serves as the major adviser to all entering
students and continues to serve in that role until the student has
passed the First Examination. Students will generally meet with
the Executive Officer at least once each semester for registration
and advisement.
Pre-dissertation Research Project
Following the passing of the First Examination, the student selects
a major adviser whose teaching and research areas are appropriate
to the student’s major interests. This is accomplished in an informal
manner by the student discussing his or her research interests with
relevant faculty members. The student also should discuss the possibility
of having the prospective advisor supervise the pre-dissertation
research project.
The Second Examination
Following the completion of required coursework and the pre-dissertation
research project, the student and major adviser select two additional
committee members whose interests and expertise are relevant to
the scholarly and research interests of the student and appropriate
to cover the areas for the Second Examination. This three-member
advisory committee is responsible for the preparation and administration
of the student’s Second Examination. The student is responsible
for the completion of the form "Formation of Advisory Committee,"
which bears the signatures of the members of the committee and is
submitted to the Executive Officer for approval. Following the completion
of the Second Examination the committee is officially disbanded.
Dissertation Committee
The final phase of advisement requires the student to select a
dissertation committee, which may consist of faculty members who
served on the student’s Second Examination committee. The student
is responsible for the completion of the form "Formation of Dissertation
Committee," which bears the signatures of the members of the committee
and is submitted to the Executive Officer for approval. The dissertation
committee is composed of the student’s research mentor and two other
members who assume the responsibility to supervise and approve the
dissertation proposal and dissertation research, assess the suitability
of the completed dissertation document for oral defense, select
the outside examiner, and administer the Final Examination (dissertation
defense). Following the formation of the dissertation committee,
the chair should convene the committee for an initial meeting.
Variations in Student Advisement
Certain occasions require exceptions to the foregoing guidelines
with respect to a student’s committee.
- When additional expertise is needed to cover the areas for
the Second Examination and/or the supervision of dissertation
research, additional members may be added to the student’s committee.
It behooves the student and the committee to make these determinations
as early as possible. Three members of the committee must be Graduate
Center doctoral faculty.
- When it is appropriate for non-doctoral faculty to be appointed
to a student’s committee, it is crucial that the prospective individual
be apprised of the responsibility and commitment that are required
for service as a member of the committee. A written statement
in that regard will be forwarded to the prospective individual
by the Executive Officer following the agreement to serve. In
all cases, be they CUNY-affiliated or not, prospective committee
members must be appointed as adjunct doctoral faculty for the
duration of their service. The student should submit the curriculum
vitae of the individual to the Executive Officer requesting such
appointment. Please note that there is no honorarium for services
rendered in these circumstances.
- When it is appropriate that an individual with continuing appointment
to the adjunct doctoral faculty should serve as chair of a student’s
committee, at least one other member of the committee must be
appointed from the full-time doctoral faculty.
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