Current PhD Student FAQs

1. Where can I go for advising and assistance with planning my academic program?
2. Can I change advisors at any point?
3. How do I add or drop a class after classes have started?
4. How can I add my name to the waitlist for a course?
5. What are typical course loads?
6. I would like to request an exemption from a pre-requisite/core course. What do I need to do?
7. How do I take a semester off from the program?
8. Can my G.P.A. result in dismissal from the program?
9. I'm ready to defend my proposal/dissertation. What do I need to do?
10. When do I complete my graduation application?
11. I want to take a class at another university in the area. What do I need to do?

1. Where can I go for advising and assistance with planning my academic program?
You should work with your assigned faculty advisor to explore and define your academic and research goals. In addition, Shannon Williams, Assistant Director of PhD Student Services, will help you with issues related to course selection and registration, as well as academic policies and procedures. She can also help you track your progress toward degree completion.

2. Can I change advisors at any point?
Initially, advisors are assigned by the program administration based on students' interests and on the need to balance the advising load among the faculty. You will work with your advisor to explore and define your academic and research goals. As a result of these discussions, you may choose to change advisors, ideally to the faculty member who will chair your field research and dissertation committees. You may change your advisor at any time with the agreement of both professors.

3. How do I add or drop a class after classes have started?
The add and drop periods are published each semester on the Registrar's academic calendar, and schedule changes can be made using Patriot Web during the schedule adjustment period. Generally, you may add a course through the first week of a 14-week semester and drop a course up to five calendar weeks after the first day of class (for a partial refund). After the drop deadline has passed, students are only permitted to withdraw from classes for extenuating, non-academic circumstances.

4. How can I add my name to the waitlist for a course?
Certain classes in SPP have a waitlist option. If you attempt to register for a course that is full, and a waitlist exists for that particular course, Patriot Web will permit you to add your name to the waitlist. The waitlist is an automatic process. Each time a student drops the course, Patriot Web will issue an override to the first person on the waitlist, permitting that student to register for the course same as on New Student FAQs. The override is in effect for three days. If you receive an override and fail to register for the course during the three day time frame, the next student on the list is issued the override.
Please refer to the Student's Guide to the Patriot Web if you need further guidance.

5. What are typical course loads?
The university considers nine credits to be a full-time load at the graduate level. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are required to carry nine or more credits each semester. Students wishing to take more than 12 credit hours should meet with their academic advisor and Shannon Williams to discuss their course load. Students taking fewer than nine credit hours are classified as part-time students, unless they hold a research assistantship.

6. I would like to request an exemption from a pre-requisite/core course. What do I need to do?
Students may have completed graduate courses which they believe are equivalent to one or more of the required core courses. Those seeking exemption from courses may submit a written petition to Ph.D. Student Services for review by the core course instructor, who will either recommend to the Program Director that the exemption be granted or that the student take a proficiency examination. The petition must include the following documentation (items 1-4 are mandatory; items 5 and 6 will help make the case):

1. Course title and a transcript showing the grade earned
2. A copy of the catalog description of the course
3. A syllabus for the course or a list of topics covered
4. Identification of the text(s) used in the course
5. Examination questions and results from the course
6. Any papers or projects written for the course

Students will not receive credit toward the 82-hour degree minimum for a core course from which the student has been exempted, unless that course is included within the 30-credit maximum allowed for prior graduate work.

Students seeking exemption from a quantitative methodology course may petition in writing to take a more advanced course in the same specialty area at GMU or at another institution approved by the Doctoral Program Director. If that course is passed with a grade of B or better, the student will be exempt from the less advanced core course requirement. The credit earned for the more advanced course will count toward the 82-credit minimum.

7. How do I take a semester off from the program?
Students requiring a leave of absence from their program for a single semester must contact the doctoral program director to request a leave of absence. Any student taking two or more consecutive semesters off must obtain permission to reenroll from the School of Public Policy. At this time, the School will review the student's academic standing prior to granting reenrollment permission.

8. Can my G.P.A. result in dismissal from the program?
Students enrolled in the School of Public Policy must maintain good academic standing. Doctoral students are encouraged to consult the Student/Faculty Handbook for additional information regarding these requirements. Students should pay particular attention to the following:

• A student who receives a B- or below in a core course must retake the course during the next term that it is offered.
• Receiving a grade of F in a single course will result in dismissal from the program.
• Receiving a grade of B- or below in two or more 800-level courses, even if retaken, will result in dismissal from the program.
• Receiving a grade of B- or below in a single core course after the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program. (Because PUBP 709 is a remedial course for PUBP 801, a grade of B- or below in PUBP 709 will result in dismissal.)
• Failing the comprehensive qualifying examination after the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.
• Failing the field examination after the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.

9. I'm ready to defend my proposal/dissertation. What do I need to do?
Please consult the answers located on the Milestone Guide webpage, and contact Shannon Williams with further questions.

10. When do I complete my graduation application?
You will receive instructions for completing the steps to graduation, including the graduation application, via e-mail during the semester in which you intend to graduate. The application cannot be completed prior to that point. Additional details about the graduation application process can be found on the Registrar's web page.

11. I want to take a class at another university in the area. What do I need to do?
George Mason University is one of fourteen cooperating members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. If you are interested in a course at one of the other consortium schools, you will need to work with your advisor, GMU's consortium services office, and the home department at the consortium school offering the course. It helps to begin this process well in advance of scheduled start of the class. Visit GMU's consortium website for information.