Academic Regulations Frequently Asked Questions
- When do master's or doctoral advisory and examination committees get set and who is responsible for setting them?
- How many courses does Duke require for the Ph.D. degree?
- When is it appropriate to request a leave of absence and for what particular reasons can I request such a leave?
- Can I transfer graduate credits taken elsewhere into my doctoral program at Duke?
- Can my dissertation advisor continue to chair my doctoral committee if he/she is moving to another university?
- To whom can I appeal a particular Graduate School regulation?
- When do master's or doctoral advisory and examination committees get set and who is responsible for setting them?
Most advisory committees are not set until at least the second year of graduate study, in the case of a doctoral student; master's committees are normally set in the first year. The Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the student, recommends the graduate committee to the Associate Dean of the Graudate School, who must subsequently approve that committee.
- How many courses does Duke require for the Ph.D. degree?
The Graduate School does not have any formal course requirement for the doctoral degree. Individual programs are free to set course requirements as they wish, so it is best to check with the DGS of your department.
- When is it appropriate to request a leave of absence and for what particular reasons can I request such a leave?
Leaves of absence are best reserved for extended periods when you must interrupt your graduate studies. The reasons for requesting a leave may be many, but in all cases you should discuss this option with your Director of Graduate Studies.
- Can I transfer graduate credits taken elsewhere into my doctoral program at Duke?
Duke does not transfer particular course credits at the doctoral level, even though your department may decide to exempt you from specific programmatic requirements on the basis of your having taken courses elsewhere. Tuition credit, however, can be given for master's degrees completed elsewhere.
- Can my dissertation advisor continue to chair my doctoral committee if he/she is moving to another university?
Dissertation advisors are free, assuming departmental approval, to continue to serve on the committee of students already in progress.
- To whom can I appeal a particular Graduate School regulation?
Appeals should generally be directed to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School.