After 18 hours of study, and in consultation with the adviser, each student should prepare a one-page plan of study for the remainder of his or her coursework. This plan should identify the classes in which the student intends to enroll and to outline why these courses are appropriate for the student's intellectual and professional goals. Upon completion, this plan must be submitted to the DGS for review and approval.
General Timeline for Completion for Full-Time Study
Year 1
Take childhood studies courses from a variety of perspectives.
Fall semester, consult regularly with the DGS or adviser.
By end of second semester, choose an adviser who will supervise the M.A. paper.
Year 2
Beginning of third semester, submit one-page (single-spaced) plan of study.
End of third semester, all required courses should be completed.
Beginning of third or fourth semester (depending on when graduation is anticipated), indicate intention to submit a final M.A. paper and take the oral exam (to be scheduled on one day each semester, TBA).
Advising
By the spring of the first year, students should identify a faculty member who will serve as her or his adviser and with whom he or she will consult concerning the major paper.
M.A. Paper and Defense
The M.A. paper and its defense serve as the final requirements that must be satisfied prior to graduation. Ordinarily, the M.A. paper has its origins in a paper submitted for a graduate course in childhood studies. A student revises and enlarges this paper, and then submits it to his or her adviser for preliminary approval. Once a version acceptable to the adviser is completed, the student is approved for the oral examination. Oral examination dates are ordinarily scheduled in early May and late December of each year. The oral exam will be one hour in length and will be attended by the childhood studies faculty. The exam will consist of questions from the faculty about the student's coursework and the submitted paper. At the conclusion of the exam, the faculty will determine if the oral exam and paper have satisfactorily met the standards of competence in childhood studies and will inform the student immediately of its decision.
If a majority of the faculty decides that the M.A. candidate has not met these standards, the student will be able to revise the paper and take another oral exam. This second submission of the M.A. paper and second oral exam must occur by the end of the semester following the original exam. No student may retake the exam more than once. If the student does not pass the second oral exam or does not take the second oral exam within the required time frame, he or she will not earn the M.A. degree. Upon passing the M.A. paper and oral exam, the student will be recommended to the graduate faculty for the M.A. degree.
Doctor of Philosophy Program
All students in the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program follow the program of study below, with most completing the courses in two or three years.
Although the program is intended for full-time students, part-time students are accepted into the program (see definition of part-time doctoral study below). Most classes will be offered in the late afternoon and early evening. Please consult the Graduate Student Handbook for a full description of program requirements and expectations: http://childhood.camden.rutgers.edu.
General Overview
A student must devote a minimum of two-and-a-half years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree for the Ph.D. Full-time study for a semester is represented by a minimum of 9 credits of coursework or research. The minimum requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 60 credits, of which at least 12 credits must be devoted to research. If any of the work is conducted on a part-time basis, the minimum calendar time required will, of course, be longer.
Students are expected to maintain, at minimum, a B (3.0) average throughout the program of study. In the event that a student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, a meeting with the DGS will be arranged to discuss the reasons behind the performance and what steps, if any, need to be taken to bring the student in line with the requirement.
If a student enters the doctoral program with a master's degree or other graduate credit, up to 20 credits may be put toward satisfying the course/credit requirements of the Department of Childhood Studies pending approval of the DGS and the dean of the graduate school. No student can finalize transfer of outside credits toward the Ph.D. degree until after passing the Second Year Review. Students requesting transfer credits must provide syllabi from the courses they wish to be
considered, in addition to the materials required by the Graduate School.
See the "Principles Guiding the Acceptance of Transfer Credits" section below for details.
Definition of Part-Time Doctoral Study
Beginning with the fall 2010 entering class, all students in the doctoral program must carry a minimum of 6 credits (normally, two courses) per academic semester, not counting Summer Sessions. Exceptions to the 6-credit minimum may be granted on a temporary basis in extraordinary circumstances. Students seeking exceptions must petition the DGS in writing, describing the reasons for and expected duration of the exception. This petition must be received prior to the semester for which the request is to take effect.
Nonmatriculation Policy for Prospective Doctoral Students
Students will not be admitted to the doctoral program on a nonmatriculation basis. The department will accept a maximum of 3 credits taken at Rutgers-Camden on a nonmatriculation basis. No specific course requirement (proseminar sequence, methods requirements, focused coursework) will be allowed to be counted toward the Ph.D. degree if taken as a nonmatriculated student.
General Course Requirements (one course usually earns 3 credits)
Required courses in research methodology 9 credits
Required proseminar sequence 6 credits
Course requirement for children in context 6 credits
Thesis/Research credits 12 credits
(minimum)
Electives and focused coursework in childhood studies 27 credits
General Timeline for Completion for Full-Time Study
Year 1
Satisfy proseminar requirements. Majority of courses taken should fulfill requirements.
Year 2
(September) Second Year Review for students with 18 or more resident credits (faculty approval required to continue studies).
End of second year: All required courses should be completed. Secure an adviser by end of spring semester.
Year 3
Complete coursework.
Assemble preliminary examination/dissertation committee.
Year 4
Take preliminary examination/complete dissertation proposal hearing.