Clinical Research Policies and Resources

The PhD in Clinical Research Policies and Resource page guides students through the requirements of the PhD in Clinical Research (CRES) Program at the University of Jamestown. These policies set the standards for maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory progress for doctoral students in their degree programs. The page details requirements and procedures for the administration and evaluation of the doctoral comprehensive examination, dissertation proposal, and dissertation defense. Forms for changing advisors, degree extension, and student appeal processes can also be found on this page.

I. Requirements Upon Matriculation

  • Students are responsible for knowing all program requirements of their doctoral program when they matriculate and for meeting all program requirements throughout their doctoral studies.
  • Upon matriculation, the CRES program will:
    • Provide each student with an academic advisor.
    • Assist each student in finding a PhD Committee Chair to help guide their doctoral work.

II. Progress Review

  • Progress Reports
    • Students will complete a progress report in conjunction with their PhD Committee Chair and Academic Advisor every six months while they are in the CRES program. The intent of the progress report is to assist the student in staying on track for graduation within the program timeline.
    • Progress reports can be uploaded to the Clinical Research Hub on Canvas no later than the end of December and July of each year of enrollment in the CRES program.
  • Degree Plan
    • PhD students have Three academic years (fall, spring and summer semesters followed by a fall and spring semester in year three) years to complete the program of study, including all core courses, comprehensive examination, dissertation proposal, and dissertation defense.
    • All requirements for the doctoral degree are expected to be completed in the planned study time period ). If a student requires additional time to complete the program of study, the student can request an extension of up to 1-year. If an extension is required, the student must complete an extension request form. If granted an extension, the student must complete the program of study and have the degree awarded within the subsequent calendar year. .
    • Students unable to complete the degree within the one-year extension due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control may submit a Request for Extension to the Maximum Time Limit for approval by their advisor/s, program director of graduate studies, and collegiate unit for one extension of up to 12 months. The extension petition must be submitted by the student before the end of the term when the time limit expires.
    • If a petition is approved, the student is notified in writing of the expectations for progress and of the expected timeline for completion of work.
    • If the petition is denied, the student is notified in writing that the student will be terminated from the doctoral program
    • Students who have been terminated under such circumstances may apply for readmission to the program; however, readmission is not guaranteed.

III. Minimum Grade Requirements

  • To remain in good academic standing students throughout their doctoral studies must meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement specified by the graduate program or 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for courses being applied toward program requirements, whichever is higher. Students who have filed a doctoral degree plan must maintain a 3.00 GPA for courses included on the degree plan. Only courses with grades of A, B, C and S can be counted toward the degree. Students who fall below the program’s minimum cumulative GPA requirement may be terminated from the program.

IV. Doctoral Comprehensive Examination

  • Once all core courses are complete, every CRES doctoral student must pass a written comprehensive examination.
  • The student can take up to six credits of elective courses after graduation, but all core courses MUST be completed prior to the comprehensive examination, proposal or dissertation defense.
    • Students must be notified in writing whether or not they have passed the written examination requirement(s).
    • Students who are reported to have failed to meet the written examination requirement(s) will receive one additional attempt. If they are unsuccessful on the second attempt, they will be terminated from the doctoral program.

V. Doctoral Proposal and Dissertation Defense

  • There are two separate pathways for the dissertation proposal and dissertation defense. The details about these pathways can be found in the CRES program’s policy documents.
    • Process #1: Traditional 5 Chapter Dissertation
    • Process # 2: Three Manuscript Dissertation