/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/2020-2021/PhD-Program-Manual-local.json

/Institutions/MGH-Institute-of-Health-Professions/json/2020-2021/PhD-Program-Manual.json

PhD Program Manual > Advising > Overview of the Advising Process

Overview of the Advising Process

2.1 Overview of the Advising Process: Each student will work closely with a Primary Academic Advisor and a Research Mentor throughout the entire program. Together these individuals oversee the design of the supplemental coursework plan, preparation for the Qualifying Examination, and the design and completion of the dissertation. When starting the program, a student typically already has a (program-approved) Research Mentor and has been pre-registered for the IHP courses that are required the first semester. A Primary Academic Advisor is assigned to each student prior to, or during, the first semester. 

 

2.1.1 Primary Academic Advisor: A Primary Academic Advisor is assigned to each student by the program’s Executive Committee, generally a member of the Committee. This individual oversees and tracks all program milestones for the student, which include the following responsibilities:

1. Support the student in developing the Supplemental Coursework Plan (see 3.1.2 Supplemental Coursework), which is carried out in consultation with the Research Mentor. The Primary Academic Advisor is also responsible for presenting the plan to the Executive Committee for approval.
2. Monitor student performance in coursework and progress toward developing a viable research direction that will lead to a dissertation (see 3.1.6 Dissertation). A primary source for assessing the student’s research progress is the presentations that each student is required to give about his/her research in the Research Seminar every semester during the first two years of the program. The Primary Academic Advisor is required to report to the Executive Committee on the status/progress of the advisee each semester and to communicate directly with the Research Mentor about any concerns.
3. Oversee the process for carrying out the Qualifying Examination (see 3.1.4 Qualifying Examination for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree). May also serve on the Examination Committee if this is approved by the Executive Committee.
4. Serve as Chair of the Dissertation Committee to ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to – the Research Mentor bears primary responsibility for directing the student’s dissertation research (see 3.1.6 Dissertation).

 

2.1.2   Research Mentor: Each student typically identifies, and receives a formal commitment from, a Research Mentor prior to starting the program. The Research Mentor is an experienced/active investigator who is engaged in well-established programs of research that align with the interests of the student. The Research Mentor may be an IHP Faculty member or may hold a position at an outside institution. This mentor 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 (e.g. attendance at the presentation that each student is required to give about their research in the Research Seminar each semester). In addition to facilitating the student’s Dissertation research, the Research Mentor also participates (with the Primary Academic Advisor) in helping the student design his/her Supplemental Coursework Plan (see 3.1.2 Supplemental Coursework) and in preparing for the Qualifying Examination (see 3.1.4 Qualifying Examination for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree). The Research Mentor must be approved by the program’s Executive Committee.