The Degree of PhD in Human Ecology [Graduate]

On completion of the PhD program all students are expected to possess minimum competencies in:

The discipline of Human Ecology: this normally would be acquired during master’s level work. Students entering without a closely related master’s degree would be expected to acquire these basic competencies during the doctoral program.
Research methods and statistics: sufficient competency in research methods and/or statistics to enable students to read across the literature in their area of study, and to complete their dissertation research is expected. Basic competencies may be acquired during master’s level work, or during the doctoral program; additional research skills required for successful completion of the student’s dissertation research will be acquired during the doctoral program.
The substantive area of the student’s research: will be acquired during the doctoral program.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of ★20 in coursework beyond the master’s program core requirements, and a thesis.

Coursework (★20)

HECOL 601
★9 in graduate-level courses that support the student’s content area and dissertation research
★6 in graduate-level research methods and/or statistics
HECOL 693
HECOL 694
Additional coursework may be required

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. All doctoral students are required to make a minimum of two research presentations, at least one of which must be oral. All doctoral students also shall be required to conduct dissertation research and pass a written comprehensive examination, an oral candidacy examination, and a doctoral dissertation defence.

Ethics Requirement

Students are required to complete the FGSR Academic Integrity and Ethics Training Requirement . See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information.

Professional Development Requirement

Students are required to complete the FGSR Professional Development Requirement . See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information.

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive exam takes place after completion of course work and before the candidacy exam, normally within the first two years of the program if the student had the expected basic competencies on admission. Normally the oral candidacy exam will occur within six months of the written comprehensive exam. See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information.

Candidacy Exam

The Department’s policy is that the candidacy exam will take place after the proposal has been submitted to the student’s committee but before beginning the research itself. See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information.

Academic Standing Requirement

Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 with no grade less than B-throughout the course of their program.

Failure to maintain the required academic standing will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Chair – Graduate Program to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.

Residence Requirement

There is a residence requirement for the PhD program of two academic years, where academic year is defined as the eight-month period from September through April.

Length of Program

All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years.