PhD Handbook

This Handbook is designed to provide Ph.D. students in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) information about graduate programs and procedures. The Handbook augments and is not a substitute for other sources of information. The information in this handbook and other University catalogs, publications, web links, or announcements is subject to change without notice. University offices can provide current information about possible changes.

Introduction

The PhD represents the highest level of formal education that can be attained in the social sciences. The journey for students at this university is broken into a series of predictable milestones that build upon one another. These milestones are governed by the University of Minnesota Graduate School, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development policies. In the sections below, each milestone of the doctoral process is explained, followed by important rules and policies students should know at the time of this handbook's publication. Students should contact their advisor, the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, or the Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Organizational if any of these steps or policies are unclear and/or a link is no longer working.

Milestones in the PhD

Students begin their doctoral study by taking coursework. During their coursework period they will take a Written Preliminary Examination. Following successful completion of this exam, students take their Oral Preliminary Examination (which is often accompanied by a “Special Paper”). Successful completion of this exam leads to the Dissertation Proposal stage (also known as the “Prospectus”). Students then undertake their dissertation research and writing, culminating in a Final Defense. Successful completion of the doctoral defense leads to the final milestone, submission of the dissertation and graduation. This entire process will take more than three years but is intended to take no more than eight years. Figure 1 below represents the doctoral study process. A quick overview of the contents in this Handbook can be found in the University of Minnesota’s Degree Completion Steps document.