Research training is integral to graduate education for the PhD. Students participate in a variety of research opportunities to develop the necessary theoretical, conceptual, and empirical skills used in designing and executing their own independent research programs in their future careers. Given our commitment to training researchers, all students are expected to demonstrate initiative in doing research with their chosen advisors, and are encouraged to develop joint research with other faculty and graduate students. Students participate fully in the research experience by presenting their work at major conferences, publishing research in peer-reviewed journals, and writing grant and fellowship applications.
The typical research training timeline for students involves:
- selecting a primary research advisor and forming a graduate advising Masters thesis committee (at least three faculty; by the end of the 1st year)
- successfully completing a Masters thesis research project and at least 30 credit hours for awarding of MS degree (typically at the end of the 2nd year or during the 3rd year)
- applying for permission to continue to the preliminary examination with an advising committee of at least four faculty members
- if approved for continuation, successfully completing a preliminary examination (typically in the 3rd or 4th year)
- proposing and successfully completing a dissertation research project and at least 90 credit hours for award of the PhD degree (typically in the 4th or 5th year)
Please click here to view a video of Jordan Booker, a recent graduate of the Developmental Science program, talking about his experiences.