Internet Explorer Detected

The Penn State Graduate School website is best experienced in Firefox or Google Chrome. It is highly recommended that you use an alternative browser.

GCAC-602
Ph.D. Committee Formation, Composition, and Review - Research Doctorate

GCAC-602

Ph.D. Committee Formation, Composition, and Review - Research Doctorate

adjust

Purpose

To describe when and how a Ph.D. student’s Ph.D. committee is formed and maintained through the course of their degree program of study.

school

Academic Goal

To ensure that all research doctoral students benefit from the expert advice and assistance of multiple members of the Graduate Faculty.

crop_free

Scope

All students enrolled in programs of study leading to the Ph.D.

Research is a complex enterprise, requiring both individual creative initiative and broad consultation with other research experts. Likewise, the education of a Ph.D. candidate – training in the broad methods of research generally, the specific methods appropriate to their discipline, and the values that define the research community - requires the active participation of a broad team of expert advisers at every step of the student’s program. Each Ph.D. student has a Ph.D. committee, whose purpose is to provide the attention, guidance, and mentoring necessary for the candidate to successfully earn their degree and meet the Graduate Council’s Scholarly and Professional Goals for Penn State graduates.
Dissertation (Co-)Adviser
Graduate Faculty member(s) principally responsible for day-to-day guidance of the student’s dissertation research and academic and professional development
Major Graduate Program
The graduate program within which the student is pursuing their degree.
Major Program Member
Graduate Faculty member who is a member of and represents the graduate major degree program on the Ph.D. Committee.
Minor Graduate Program
For students pursuing a minor, the graduate program responsible for the graduate minor.
Minor Program Member
For students pursuing a minor, a Graduate Faculty member who is a member of and represents the minor program on the Ph.D. Committee.
Outside Field Member
Graduate Faculty member responsible for broadening the disciplinary perspective available to the student and the Ph.D. Committee; must have a disciplinary expertise different from the student’s primary field of study.
Outside Unit Member
Graduate Faculty member responsible for providing the student and the Ph.D. Committee with a perspective on the dissertation research and other professional matters from outside the administrative unit of the Ph.D. Committee Chair(s) and Dissertation Adviser(s).
Ph.D. Committee (co)Chair
Graduate Faculty member(s) responsible for assuring that all Graduate Council standards and requirements relative to the Ph.D. degree are met and that any conditions set by the student’s Ph.D. Committee are fulfilled.
Professional Doctoral Degree Program
an integrated program of study combined with understanding of research literature to support application of knowledge to practice at the highest level, culminating in a project, portfolio, or performance that demonstrates expertise in professional practice. Students successfully completing a professional doctoral degree program are awarded the appropriate doctoral degree; professional doctoral degrees at Penn State include D.Ed., D.M.A., D.N.P., and Dr.P.H.
Research Doctoral Degree Program
an integrated program of study combined with investigation of a significant problem, question, or issue in the discipline, culminating in the completion of an original scholarly contribution (in the form of a dissertation) that expands the frontiers of knowledge. Students successfully completing a research doctoral degree program are awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
Special Member
A member of the student’s Ph.D. Committee who is not a member of the Graduate Faculty of Penn State, but whose expertise and insights would provide substantial benefit to the student’s dissertation research and the Ph.D. Committee.

Policy Statement

  1. Each Ph.D. student shall have an appointed Ph.D. Committee to guide their research training.
  2. Ph.D. Committee Appointment: A student’s Ph.D. Committee shall be nominated to the Graduate School by the student’s major Graduate Program Head as soon as possible after the student has secured an adviser, but in no event later than one calendar year following the date of the student’s successful completion of the Qualifying Examination unless an alternative timing is approved through the Graduate Council’s curricular review process.
    1. The guiding principle for members of the Ph.D. Committee is the success of the student.
    2. While it is expected that the Graduate Program Head will consult with the student, the student’s adviser, and as appropriate the dual-title and/or minor Graduate Program Head, the Graduate Program Head is responsible for nominating members of the Ph.D. Committee to the Graduate School, designating Ph.D. Committee member roles, and ensuring appropriate Ph.D. Committee composition that is in the best interests of the student and the completion of their dissertation. Ph.D. Committees must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
    3. The Dean of the Graduate School may appoint one or more members to the Ph.D. Committee in addition to those recommended by the Graduate Program Head.
  3. Minimum Ph.D. Committee Membership: A student’s Ph.D. Committee shall consist at minimum of four members of the Graduate Faculty, each of whom shall be in a position to contribute substantially to the student’s education. At least two of these four members shall be from the student's major graduate program.
  4. Ph.D. Committee Member Roles: Each Committee shall have a Ph.D. Committee Chair, Outside Field Member, Outside Unit Member, and include the student’s Dissertation Adviser. The Ph.D. Committee Chair and Dissertation Adviser may be one and the same. For students pursuing a graduate minor, the Ph.D. Committee shall include a Minor Field Program Member representing each graduate minor. Ph.D. Committees may also include other participants who are not members of the Graduate Faculty but are otherwise qualified and have particular expertise in the student’s research area. All Ph.D. Committee Members are expected to participate fully in the affairs of the Ph.D. Committee.
    1. Ph.D. Committee Chair: The Ph.D. Committee Chair shall be a member of the Graduate Faculty and the student’s major Graduate Program. The Ph.D. Committee Chair is responsible for arranging and conducting all Ph.D. Committee Meetings, ensuring that all Graduate Program, Graduate Council, and Graduate School standards and requirements relative to the doctoral degree are met, and that any conditions set by the Ph.D. Committee are fulfilled.
      1. For students pursuing dual-title degrees, either the Ph.D. Committee Chair or a co-Chair must be a Graduate Faculty member of the dual-title program.
    2. Dissertation Adviser: Each Committee shall include the student’s Dissertation Adviser. The Dissertation Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day guidance of the student’s dissertation research, and academic and professional development.
      1. Where day-to-day guidance is shared by two members of the Graduate Faculty, both may be appointed to the Ph.D. Committee as co-Advisers.
      2. Co-advisers are jointly and severally responsible for the day-to-day guidance of the student’s dissertation research, and academic and professional development.
      3. A Dissertation Advisor may also serve as the Ph.D. Committee Chair (or co-Chair).
    3. Outside Field Member: Each Ph.D. Committee shall have appointed at least one Outside Field Member. The Outside Field Member must have a disciplinary expertise different from the student’s primary field of study, and is responsible for broadening the disciplinary perspective available to the student and the Ph.D. Committee. The Outside Field Member may be from student’s graduate program, but may not also serve as a major program member. In cases where the candidate is also pursuing a dual-title program, any dual-title Graduate Faculty member of the Ph.D. Committee may serve as the Outside Field Member.
    4. Outside Unit Member(s): Each Ph.D. Committee shall have appointed at least one Outside Unit Member. The Outside Unit Member is responsible for bringing to the attention of the student and the Ph.D. Committee [non-academic] issues (including, for example, conflicts of interest) that may impact a student’s progress. Outside Unit Members must have their primary academic appointment in an administrative unit different than the Ph.D. Committee Chair(s) and Dissertation Adviser(s).
    5. Minor Program Member(s): Ph.D. Committees assigned to students pursuing graduate minors shall include at least one Minor Program Member for each graduate minor. Each graduate minor pursued by a student shall be represented by at least one Minor Program Member who is a member of the Graduate Faculty and a member of that minor graduate program. Minor Program Members are responsible for providing the student and the Ph.D. Committee with information, advice and perspective on student progress in fulfilling the graduate minor requirements in the graduate program they represent.
    6. Special Members: Ph.D. Committees may include Special Members who are not members of the Graduate Faculty but are otherwise qualified and have particular expertise in the student’s research area. Special Members do not have to be affiliated with Penn State.
  5. Annual Review of Ph.D. Committee Membership: It is crucial that all committee members remain actively engaged in the guidance of the student through the completion of their program. The Graduate Program Head of the student’s major program shall review annually each student’s Ph.D. Committee to ensure that all Ph.D. Committee members continue to qualify for service in their designated roles. The Graduate Program Head is responsible for promptly making any necessary changes and informing the Graduate School.
  6. When Ph.D. Committee Members Retire or Become Emeritus
    1. Ph.D. Committee Members who retire or become emeritus may continue to serve for the duration of the student’s program if they were appointed to the Ph.D. Committee in this role prior to retirement, and they have the continuing approval of the student’s Graduate Program Head and the Graduate School. (In the case of students pursuing a dual-title degree, the dual-title Graduate Program Head must also approve.)
    2. As specified in 5 (above) it is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Head to ensure that all Ph.D. Committee members continue to qualify for service in their designated roles. The Graduate Program Head will review the committee membership whenever any committee member retires to ensure that students receive expert faculty guidance through their dissertation project.
  7. When Ph.D. Committee Members Leave the University: Ph.D. Committee Members in any role who leave Penn State for reasons other than retiring or becoming emeritus may maintain their committee appointment for up to one year with the approval of the student's Graduate Program Head and the Dean of the Graduate School.
  8. Other Changes in Ph.D. Committee Membership: If the need for Ph.D. Committee membership change is required, whether at the time of an annual review or otherwise, the student’s major Graduate Program Head will promptly make the necessary changes and notify the director of Graduate Enrollment Services.

Procedure

P1 - Ph.D. Committee Formation, Composition, and Review - Research Doctorate

Forms

insert_drive_file Research Doctoral Committee Appointment Form

Revision History

  • Approved by Graduate Council, May 2, 2018. Effective date: Fall 2018 (8/13/2018).
    • This policy was revised extensively. Note that the name change from “Candidacy Examination” to “Qualifying Examination” was approved as part of this policy change.
This page was generated on April 16, 2024 at 2:47 AM local time. This may not be the most recent version of this page. Check the Penn State Graduate School website for updates.