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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Doctoral Program Procedures

Procedures Notes
1. Approval for continuation in doctoral program. graduate studies assistant completes necessary paperwork. 1. Immediately upon acceptance of the M.A. thesis. Requires positive recommendation of area.
2. File designation of research tool. 2. Upon conditional admission, but no later than appointment of dissertation director.
3. Appointment of candidacy examination committee. Student informs graduate studies assistant of date and committee members. 3. Prior to taking candidacy examination Student notifies area of intent to take exam.
4. Take candidacy examination. Area reports results. 4. Anytime after conditional admission to the doctoral program, but before the end of the third semester following award of M.A.
5. Fulfill tool requirement. 5. Anytime before appointment of dissertation director.
6. Appointment of dissertation director and  committee. Kuali form completed by student 6. Anytime following step one and fulfilling tool requirement.
7. File doctoral program of courses. 7. Immediately upon appointment of dissertation director.
8. Register for dissertation hours (799A). This form required for initial registration only. Graduate studies assistant will obtain permission in future semesters. 8. When dissertation work begun, after appointment of director; credit hours determined by director. Continuous enrollment required until formal approval of dissertation by the Graduate School.
9. File approved dissertation proposal. 9. Upon approval by committee. Prior to formal collection of data.
10. Apply for IRB or IACUC participant approval. 10. Prior to data collection.
11. File admission to candidacy. Student completes Kuali form naming their candidacy committee members. 11. After candidacy exam passed, approved proposal is filed, but before defense. After candidacy exam is passed, the director will complete the candidacy results form
12. Appointment of final oral defense committee and scheduling of oral examination. Naming of the defense committee. Kuali forms completed by student. 12. When dissertation is completed to the satisfaction of the committee.
13. File report of oral defense and approved dissertation. Kuali form completed by the committee director. 13. When corrections in dissertation made to satisfaction of examination committee.
14. Apply to Graduate School for graduation through MyNIU. 14. View graduation deadlines

Contact Us

Department of Psychology
Psychology-Computer Science Building room 400
815-753-0372

Director of Graduate Studies
Kevin Wu, Ph.D
kevinwu@niu.edu

Graduate Studies Assistant
kwest1@niu.edu

Admission Questions
clinicalpsychologyadmissions@niu.edu