PhD Program: Requirements
At the end of the first year of their didactic curriculum course work, students will take a written Preliminary Examination to assess their comprehension of the concepts covered during their training thus far.
At the end of all required didactic course work, the students must then pass a Graduate School Comprehensive Examination that will admit them to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree in Clinical Science.
After successful completion of required course work and a passing grade on the examination, a thesis process will commence: a thesis committee will be formed, a colloquium held with the dissertation committee, and at least one to two further years of research will follow.
Normally before completing the course work, each student will have chosen a research mentor (thesis advisor) and a research problem on which to focus thesis work. The Thesis Committee, which may include members of the Comprehensive Examining Committee, will meet at least once per year with the student and the student's advisor to monitor the student's progress. This committee will make suggestions regarding the student's research findings, current direction, and overall progress of the research.
We expect students in their second to fourth year to give major seminars each year and present their work at national meetings and publish their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Students will present their thesis research as a major seminar to faculty and students.
Please consult the CLSC PhD Student Handbook for more detailed information.