Duties of the Research Advisor and Committee
The Ed.D. program provides support for students via the program planning team, the faculty mentor(s), the research chair, the supervisory committee, and peer mentors. Some of the responsibilities overlap among the various roles, but whereas the program advising team exists to help you navigate its various administrative requirements, your faculty mentor(s) and research advisor are tasked with helping you with your research preparation.
RESEARCH ADVISOR, aka DISSERTATION CHAIR
Students in the Ed.D. program are selected by one or more faculty mentors who share their interest in the area of study or professional context. The mentor may become your research advisor after the first year to 18 months of study, but it’s important to note that changes can occur (e.g., due to a faculty member’s retirement). The doctoral program is designed to accommodate such transitions.
As you progress through the program and your research focus becomes clearer (or changes), you have the option to select a new research advisor. This advisor, who typically serves as the chair of the doctoral dissertation committee, will guide you in your chosen research area. The program is designed to allow for this transition, providing flexibility and opportunities for growth. Your research advisor will support you in the following manner:
- Collaborate and engage in scholarship
- Provide advising about research ideas, theoretical framework & research questions
- Helping the student identify and develop a cognate
- Be there for regular check-ins with respect to program progress
- Provide an orientation to the academic field of study, and insights about professionalization, etc.
- Getting students involved in their research whenever possible (including writing and revising manuscripts, preparing conference presentations, reviewing manuscripts, and writing grants)
- Assisting in the selection of supervisory committee members (two others are required)
- Helping students develop their program of research
- Helping student navigate the program requirements (i.e., selecting a Doctoral Committee, completing the comprehensive evaluation, the dissertation proposal, and the dissertation)
- Ensure readiness for Comps
- Help you plan for the Comp Exam; lead the assessment of it
- Advise you on the development of your research proposal; help with IRB submission if necessary
- Give feedback on dissertation chapter drafts
- Conduct final oral examination and determine dissertation defense outcome
- Provide career coaching & networking as needed
- If needed, assist the student with completing the requirements of provisional status and then notifying the Doctoral Coordinator when the student has met the requirements and is ready to move to regular status
SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE
The dissertation chair (“research advisor”) and a minimum of two additional committee members have the responsibility of guiding research and assessing the quality of the finished product. Together, the three faculty comprise a student’s Supervisory Committee (and a Graduate College form must be completed that names them). Generally, the two additional faculty who make up a student’s Supervisory Committee are added around the time that you’re preparing for your Comprehensive Examination (usually after Year 2). Your advisor should have expertise in the area of the your research and/or methodological choice. The initial faculty mentor may continue as your dissertation advisor, but you may invite another member of the faculty to serve as a co-advisor.
In consultation with your dissertation advisor, you’ll assemble a dissertation committee consisting of other graduate faculty. Retired professors are eligible to serve if they remain in good standing as graduate faculty with the Graduate College (they must be renewed in that status regularly), but they can only serve for a total of three years. The committee is ultimately approved by the Graduate College. Once formed, the composition of the committee may be changed per approval to assure that you receive the best support possible.
Responsibilities of the committee include, but are not limited to:
- Support the student in the identification and development of a cognate area
- Provide support and feedback to the student during the dissertation process
- Collaborate & Engage in scholarship
- Support the research chair to assess the Comp Exam
- Support you as you prepare your research proposal
- Give feedback on dissertation chapter drafts as necessary
- Participate in the final oral examination and determine dissertation defense outcome
- If needed, assist the student with completing the requirements of provisional status and then notifying the Doctoral Coordinator when the student has met the requirements and is ready to move to regular status