2.1 Overview of the Advising Process
Each student will work closely with a Primary Academic Advisor and a Dissertation Research Chair throughout the entire program. Together these individuals oversee the design of the Plan of Study, preparation for the Qualifying Examinations, and the design and completion of the three (3) scholarly articles which comprise the dissertation. Students entering the program may have a research question and potential faculty member who could serve in an advisory role for the scholarly work that is required for the PhD; if not, the Primary Academic Advisor can assist the student in this process. A Primary Academic Advisor is assigned to each student prior to, or during, the first semester. The Primary Academic Advisor can also serve as the Dissertation Chair.
Primary Academic Advisor: A Primary Academic Advisor is assigned to each student by the program’s Executive Committee and must be a member of that committee. This individual oversees and tracks all program milestones for the student, which include the following responsibilities:
- Support the student in developing the Program of Study, which is carried out in consultation with the Dissertation Chair.
- Monitor student performance in coursework and progress toward developing a viable research direction that will lead to a dissertation (see 3.1.6 Dissertation). The Primary Academic Advisor is required to report to the Program Director, Dissertation Chair, and Executive Committee on the status/progress of the advisee each semester and to communicate any concerns.
- Oversee the process for carrying out the Qualifying Examinations (see 3.1.4Qualifying Examinations for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree). May also serve on the Examination Committee with oversight by the Executive Committee.
Dissertation Research Chair: Each student typically identifies, and receives a formal commitment from, a faculty member to serve as a Dissertation Chair by the end of the first semester. (see section 2.1.2 below) The Dissertation Chair is a member of the MGHIHP faculty and an experienced/active investigator who is engaged in well-established programs of research that align with the interests of the student. Students may also request the appointment of external committee members. Such members must be approved by the PhD Program Director, Primary Academic Advisor, and Dissertation Chair, with oversight by the EC. The member must formally commit to providing the time, training and mentorship necessary for the student to develop and execute a successful dissertation (see 3.1.6 Dissertation), including assistance with acquiring the necessary resources (e.g. assistance with grant applications to support research) and ongoing active involvement in aspects of the PhD Program that pertain to the student’s performance/progress in the research realm. In addition to facilitating the student’s Dissertation research, the Dissertation Chair also participates (with the Primary Academic Advisor) in helping the student design his/her Program of Study and in preparing for the Qualifying Examination (see 3.1.4 Qualifying Examination for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree).