First-year PhD and EdD students are assigned a mentor based both on their proposed research interests and, to some extent, faculty availability. Along with the advisor, mentors orient new students to the doctoral program and oversee their progress until a dissertation chair is appointed; the dissertation chair then assumes the mentorship role until the student graduates. The mentor is not an official appointment and can be changed by the student at any time. Should a change be made, however, the student should alert mpap-doctoral-studies@nyu.edu.
The following expectations and strategies for fostering a productive mentor-student relationship are the result of extensive conversations among doctoral faculty and student members of the NYU Steinhardt Doctoral Affairs Committee. They are not binding, nor are they meant to replace guidelines specific to each department. Instead, this document provides a framework for establishing a productive mentor-student relationship, one that will not only benefit the student but will also provide rewards to mentors, including enriched academic exchanges, increased research productivity, and potential lifelong collaborations.
Mentors guide students through the early stages of their doctoral experience, facilitating the transition from structured undergraduate (and Master’s) study to the less predictable world of open-ended research and the early stages of dissertation preparation. Mentors should show an interest in the student’s career and well-being, modifying each mentor-student relationship to accommodate diverse needs and varied interests. In addition to providing academic advice, research opportunities, and resources, the mentor should be ready to help students address any concerns or problems that may arise during the course of their studies . As the relationship develops over time, mentors will encourage each student to accept more responsibility and challenges. They should also undergo periodic evaluation of the success (or lack thereof) of the mentor-student relationship, making adjustments as needed. Finally, mentors will assist with the selection and appointment of a dissertation chair by helping the student build a network of faculty members well-suited to guide the student through the final stages of their dissertation research.
Students assume primary responsibility for the successful and timely completion of their degree. They should attend regular meetings with their mentor, prepare questions, and send written materials in advance of each meeting. Students should read, understand, and conform to policies and requirements of their respective graduate program, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (outlined in the Steinhardt Doctoral Policies), and New York University (outlined on the Student Conduct Policies website). Where appropriate, doctoral students must comply with NYU's policies on Research on Human Subjects. Students should maintain detailed and accurate research records and, where appropriate, discuss policies and expectations on authorship with their mentor.
Regular meetings are used to discuss student progress, clarify expectations and share information. In the first meeting, mentors and students should agree on a preferred means of communication (email, phone, in person) and establish the frequency of meetings, as well as the expected frequency and format for submitting work (student) and providing feedback (mentor). Students should prepare an agenda for the first meeting, outlining any program-related questions that need to be addressed and a brief description of their short- and long-term research and career goals. They should also bring necessary paperwork if signatures are needed. Mentors should ensure that the student’s short- and long-term plans are realistic and that they satisfy program requirements; they should also establish deadlines and timetables for completing various stages of work. Additionally, mentors will communicate clear expectations for the quality and format of the student’s work and provide a summary of each meeting.
Once DMA students identify the topic of research for their capstone project, they must reach out directly to faculty from the DMA Governance Committee to determine who their capstone mentor will be. The capstone mentor provides support during all stages of the capstone project, including the abstract (pre-proposal), proposal and final project. The 2-page abstract must be submitted to mpap-doctoral-studies@nyu.edu at least two weeks before the last day of class, the semester prior to enrolling In Performing Arts Research Collegium. The capstone mentor joins the instructor of Performing Arts Research Collegium to evaluate the 10-15 page capstone proposal. After the proposal is approved, the student must reach out to two additional members from the DMA Governance Committee to request the appointment of a capstone committee. The capstone mentor serves as the chair of this three-person committee, which will both provide support towards completion and evaluate the final project.