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ED-PHD - Education (PhD)

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Graduate School of EducationEducationPHD - Doctor of Philosophy

External Credit Policies

Up to 45 units of applicable graduate level coursework transferred from another institution or completed in another graduate degree program at Stanford can count toward the 135 units required for the doctoral residency requirement. When transferring the maximum 45 units of graduate coursework done elsewhere or at Stanford prior to admission to the PhD program, students must complete at least 90 units of courses taken at Stanford after admission to the PhD program in order to meet the residency requirements for the PhD degree, for a total of 135 units.

Advising Expectations

Doctoral Advising Guidance

Here is the suggested guidance for faculty advisors:

  • Provide intellectual guidance:

    • Help students develop academic and professional skills expected by the discipline

    • Guide students to design research experiences that build on their interests

    • Provide students with timely, regular, and constructive feedback on academic products

    • Encourage students to be open about any problems in their work relationships, including with an advisor, and actively help to resolve those problems

    • Discuss authorship policy in advance of entering into collaborative projects

    • Encourage collaboration, where appropriate, that entails the sharing of authorship or rights to intellectual property developed in research or other creative or artistic activity

  • Assist students with knowledge of Stanford and GSE policies and practices:

    • Familiarize themselves with relevant policies; consult with the Student Handbook and Academic Affairs Office

    • Review students’ graduate study programs and help students with course selection

    • Help students understand the degree program’s requirements and make timely progress toward a degree

    • Be aware of and direct students to university resources to support students

  • Demonstrate care for student wellness:

    • Check in with students to see how they are experiencing the program

    • Create space for students to share challenges

    • Refer students to campus resources as needed

  • Demonstrate professional academic behavior:

    • Maintain timely communication with advisees

    • Set and consistently honor professional commitment and meetings promptly

    • Facilitate graduate students’ timely academic progress toward degree completion

  • Model appropriate interaction with students, staff, and faculty

  • Assist students in preparation for the job market:

    • When possible, discuss the norms and expectations of the academic area  students are entering

    • Assist students in the preparation of research presented at conferences and in professional publications

    • Guide students in acquiring the professional skills necessary for conducting high-quality research

    • Refer students to the EdCareers Office for career exploration and coaching

Here is the suggested guidance for students :

  • Understand the scope of the faculty advisor’s role:

    • Recognize that advisors provide the intellectual environment in which students learn and conduct research

    • Understand that faculty advisors are responsible for monitoring the accuracy, validity, and integrity of the students’ academic work and, in the case of research, ensuring that the contributions of all participants are appropriately acknowledged in publications

    • Respect the time constraints and other demands on faculty members and staff

    • Publish results of work done under the advisors’ direction and/or in the advisors’ studio or laboratory only after consultation with advisors

    • Arrange meetings or communicate via other mechanisms with faculty advisors as often as necessary to keep the advisors informed of any factors that might affect their academic progress, including research or time to degree

  • Consult university and school policies and handbooks for students:

    • Be responsible for understanding and adhering to policies, requirements, and practices governing their degree and course requirements, financial support, and research activities

    • Fulfill the expectations of policies and requirements, seeking clarification from faculty advisors and staff when necessary

    • Observe and adhere to the university’s policies on academic integrity, professional conduct, and the responsible conduct of research

    • Acknowledge sources of financial support

  • Exercise high professional standards:

    • Maintain the confidentiality of the faculty advisors’ professional activities, including research, creation of original works, and other creative endeavors, by existing practices and policies of the discipline

    • Acknowledge the contributions of faculty advisors and other members of the research team to students’ work in all publications and conference presentations

    • Inform faculty advisors of conflicts and work toward a clear resolution

    • Interact with students, staff, and faculty colleagues professionally to create a respectful work environment