Program Contacts
SSW PhD Program Administration
Director of the PhD Program: Dr. Lynette Renner
Dr. Renner is the Director of the PhD program, acting as liaison between graduate students and faculty; conveys the policies, interests, and views of the graduate program to the Graduate School, as well as to prospective students and the public at large; and chairs the PhD Committee. Dr. Renner leads curriculum development and planning for the PhD program as well. Routine decisions and information about departmental policy can be secured from the Program Director and the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Graduate Program Coordinator: Andy Le
The Graduate Program Coordinator supports program development and operations for the program including admissions, orientation, curriculum management, student progress, and implementation of policies, procedures, and forms; maintains student records; and supports students and faculty by addressing personal and academic challenges. The Graduate Program Coordinator is your best source of information about School and University policies, and she can help you navigate them.
Important University Offices
Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP): GSSP serves as the primary contact point for graduate students after admission and initial registration.
GSSP can assist you with:
Inquiries regarding graduate policy and graduate degree progress
Understanding your graduate degree completion deadlines and requirements
Graduate examination committee policy, submission, and approval inquiries
Doctoral preliminary and final examination scheduling procedures and requirements
Thesis and dissertation submission procedures
Submitting degree progress and completion forms for graduate degrees
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): ISSS provides support to the international student community at UMN. Their advisers/counselors are professionally trained to provide information about non-immigrant visa issues for students and scholars holding F, J, H, and O visas.
One Stop Student Services: One Stop Student Services provides important information related to registration deadlines (add, drop, cancel deadlines), the academic calendar, student records, financial aid, billing, payments, and veterans benefits.