Total Credits Required 54
*PH 608HR fulfills the Forest Academy Requirement for the semester in which the course is completed.
PHD Dissertation, Exam, and Grade Requirements
To graduate with a PhD in Physiology and Health, students must meet the following requirements:
Course Grades
A grade of B (3.00 GPA) or higher in all courses.
Qualifying Examination
This examination assesses the ability of the student to pursue doctoral research. Based on successful completion of this examination, the student is advanced to PhD Candidate status.
Teaching and Research Experience
All doctoral students who have passed their qualifying exams may be asked to help teach courses and/or help as research assistants. These activities give students necessary experience and skills in academic teaching and conducting research necessary in the career path of PhD graduates. Students who have reached PhD Candidate status may be awarded a PhD Assistantship, which entails this teaching or research.
Advanced Coursework
Advanced courses may be prescribed by the dissertation advisor and dissertation committee to ensure that students have comprehensive knowledge of a major field and related subjects. The courses students are required to take will depend upon academic background in relation to their graduate program and area of research interest.
Dissertation Committee
A doctoral student must form a Dissertation Committee of at least four members including the dissertation advisor, a faculty member from the student’s department, a faculty member from another MIU department, and one faculty member from another university or research institution. Dissertation committee membership must be approved by the director of the doctoral program and the Dean of Faculty.
Dissertation Proposal
The student submits the completed dissertation proposal to their Dissertation Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School for approval. When the dissertation proposal is accepted, the student advances to PhD Researcher status to prepare an oral defense of the dissertation.
Original Research for a Dissertation
Each doctoral student must conduct original research as the basis for a dissertation that contributes significantly to knowledge. This research is guided by the dissertation advisor and the dissertation committee and requires their approval. All doctoral students must be registered during each block they’re working on their doctoral dissertation, whether they live on or off campus.
Written Dissertation and Abstract
Dissertation guidelines are online at www.library.miu.edu/dissertation-guidelines-for-phd-candidates/ Students should read these guidelines before beginning their dissertations. When writing a dissertation, students work closely with their dissertation advisor. At least four months before students plan to graduate, they should have the first version of their dissertation thoroughly checked by their dissertation advisor. Once the dissertation advisor has approved the dissertation, the student may submit the document to the other members of their dissertation committee. The committee members will review the document and give their comments in a timely fashion - within two weeks. After incorporating all comments, the student will send updated copies of the manuscript to all committee members at least two weeks before the dissertation defense.
Oral Defense of the Dissertation
The PhD researcher must successfully complete an oral defense of the dissertation. The oral examination in defense of the dissertation is conducted and evaluated by the dissertation committee (supplemented by additional appointed faculty members, at the discretion of the Dean of the Graduate School). The examination is scheduled for a date not earlier than two weeks after the dissertation and abstract have been submitted to the dissertation advisor and dissertation committee. The student must be registered during the block in which the final oral examination is taken.
Publishing the Dissertation
When the dissertation committee has reviewed and approved the dissertation and the student has passed the dissertation defense, the student incorporates any further recommended changes and corrections before submitting the dissertation to the MIU Library.
To aid in completing the final dissertation, students present an electronic copy of their dissertations one month before graduation to the MIU Library Director (even if the dissertation is not complete). The Library Director will give the student feedback on formatting the dissertation. One week before graduation, the student must give the Library Director a final printed copy of the dissertation and two copies of the abstract. Everything needs to be complete at this time.
All doctoral dissertations submitted to the Graduate School will be published. MIU subscribes to a service offered by Proquest ETD Administrator. Information about the publication procedures and fees may be obtained from the MIU Proquest ETD administrator website and from the MIU Library Director. Two copies of the dissertation will be placed in the MIU Library and will be available for interlibrary loan. The abstract will be published in Dissertation Abstracts, which announces the availability of the dissertation.
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