Advising and Annual Review

Program Advising and Plan of Study

Ideally, initial faculty advisers are assigned to students when they begin the program based on research interests; if not, one's adviser for the first year is the area coordinator in that student's primary area of study. The initial adviser, in consultation with area faculty and the program director if needed, works with students to develop a preliminary plan of study which includes schedules for completion of necessary prerequisite and required courses, and for transfer of master's degree credits.

In one's second semester (ideally prior to course registration for the third semester), each student should select an adviser to guide her or him in their remaining coursework and through the Qualifying Exam process (this may in many cases be the initial adviser one was assigned, if both student and faculty member agree to that). The student and this program adviser develop a plan of study designed to prepare the student for qualifying exams and dissertation research in the student's chosen area of study.

Advisers must be full members of the Ph.D. program faculty. Advisers keep track of their advisees and meet with them at least once prior to each course registration period. It is, however, ultimately the student's responsibility to stay in close contact with his or her adviser. The advising relationship is one of the most important aspects of graduate education.

Annual Review of Student Progress

The faculty of the Ph.D. program in communication, information and library studies meets each spring semester to review the progress of all students in the program. Review of student progress is conducted initially by members of the faculty within the student's area of study. The executive committee of the Ph.D. program (director and area coordinators) and other interested faculty will also meet to discuss any problematic situations at a program-wide review.

Prior to the review each spring, all students in the program must meet with their adviser and submit a copy of the annual review form. This information is used not only to assess student progress, but also to identify and recognize outstanding students in the program.

One goal of the annual review is to assure that each student is making expected progress in fulfilling program requirements. Key measures of expected progress include:

• Quality and focus of coursework
• Minimal number of incompletes, which are taken care of quickly
• Selection of and contact with a primary adviser
• Formation of committees for qualifying examination and dissertation
• Timeliness in completion of requirements (for coursework, qualifying examination, preliminary and final dissertation proposals, and dissertation research)
• Involvement in scholarly activities (e.g., conference submissions/presentations)
• Additional expectations for TAs, GAs, and fellows as set by funding departments
  

The director of the program and area coordinators are responsible for informing students of the results of the annual review, including faculty recommendations/requirements for resolving difficulties in making progress as expected.