Ph.D. Advising and Mentoring

An important aspect of doctoral education is the availability of a viable advising system. At Indiana University, all Ph.D. students select a Research Advisory Committee by the end of the first year of their doctoral studies. The committee is comprised of three members -- two from the School of Social Work, and one from the school or department in which the student completes his or her external minor. The Director of the Ph.D. Program serves as the student’s initial advisor until such time that the student is able to select his/her own advisory committee – ideally by the end of the first semester of studies, but no later than the end of the first year.

The selection of the Research Advisory Committee should be completed with great care. The members should be faculty who are knowledgeable in the student’s area of research. One of the two social work members of the advisory committee should be identified as a “Primary Advisor.” This person should be selected on the basis of a shared common research interest and the likelihood of a positive personal relationship. The primary advisor plays an important role throughout the course of the student’s tenure in the program, including the approval of courses taken as well as the Annual Review of Student Progress.

Incoming students will be matched with a Peer Mentor who will be available to provide guidance and support as requested.