College of Education
Special Education Programs & Degrees Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education Current Students Doctoral Student Manual Selecting an Advisor
Doctoral Student Manual Introduction and Overview Citizenship Program Milestones Overview Selecting an Advisor First Year Review Annual Student Progress Review Coursework Research Area Requirements Early Research Project Qualifying Examinations Dissertation Leadership Experiences Professional Activities Resources Forms for Special Education

All first-year doctoral students are assigned a temporary advisor when they enter the program. The temporary advisor is a faculty member outside the student’s area of interest, whose main role is to guide an assigned student during their first year in the doctoral program. Responsibilities of the temporary advisor include (a) meeting with and advising the first-year student until a permanent advisor is selected and (b) running the First Year Review, unless the permanent advisor has offered to assume this duty. The assignment of a temporary advisor allows incoming students to familiarize themselves with faculty both in and outside their areas of interest, allowing them to make an informed decision when considering their permanent advisor. The student must have a permanent advisor by the time the First Year Review is scheduled. An Advisor Change Request Form must be completed by the student (no later than the day of the doctoral student’s First Year Review). See the College of Education’s Graduate Handbook for more information on advising.


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