2.1.1 Primary Academic Advisor

Primary Academic Advisor: A Primary Academic Advisor is assigned to each student by the department’s Executive Committee. This advisor oversees and tracks all program milestones for the student, which include the following responsibilities:

  1. Support the student in developing the Program of Study, which is carried out in consultation with the Dissertation Chair.

  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). The Primary Academic Advisor is required to report to the Department Chair or designee, Dissertation Chair, and Executive Committee on the status/progress of the advisee each semester and to communicate any concerns.

  3. Oversee the process for carrying out the Qualifying Examinations in collaboration with the Dissertation Chair (see 3.1.4 Qualifying Examinations for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree).