Advising
Doctoral students are advised by the Program Director during their first year of study. By the end of their first year, students should have identified a faculty research advisor/dissertation chair who will then serve as the advisor for that student.
Academic Standards
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 needed to graduate. Students whose GPA falls below a 3.0 may be placed on academic probation. Students who earn below a “B” in a course or whose GPA falls below 3.0 may be asked to attend an academic success meeting or participate in an academic review. Doctoral students must be in good standing (not on probation) to be admitted to candidacy.
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism
“Academic Dishonesty” refers to cheating or dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects. It also includes forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters. “Academic dishonesty” in the SSW refers to any of the following:
“Plagiarism” - The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment, including but not limited to, the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another individual.
“Cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects” - Include (but not limited to):
Giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, examinations, or any other assignment for a grade. Depending upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor or supervisor in quizzes, tests, examinations, writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.
The acquisition or use, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff.
Engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete assignments unless specifically allowed for per the instructor’s permission.
“Forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters” - includes, but is not limited to:
Wrongfully altering, or causing to be altered, any records
Use of University documents or instruments of identification with the intent to defraud.
Presenting false data or information or intentionally misrepresenting records
Furnishing the results of research projects or experiments for the inclusion in another’s work without proper citation furnishing false statements in any University academic proceeding.
Providing false or misleading information to gain an academic advantage.
PhD students who engage in academic dishonesty will be subject to one or more of the following academic penalties:
Course-level academic penalties: When academic dishonesty occurs within the context of an PhD course (including independent study courses), examples of the penalties the instructor may impose include (but are not limited to):
Change in assignment or test grade.
A lower final grade, including failure of a course.
A final grade of unforgivable failure (UF). The UF penalty can be recommended by the course instructor but must be reported to the appropriate office by the dean of the college or school offering the course after the time limit for a student appeal has expired or the appeal process has been completed, upholding the UF penalty. The student may repeat the course.
Required repetition or revision of the assignment or test.
Exclusion from further participation in class
Other academic penalties. Depending on the severity and context, other penalties for academic dishonesty in the PhD program can include:
Academic Review
Probation, suspension, or dismissal from field placement
Academic probation or suspension from the PhD program
Dismissal from the PhD program
Timing Benchmarks
See the above tables on expected timeline of progress toward degree. For full time students, the majority of coursework is completed by end of the spring of Year 2 (with exception of the integrated research seminar completed in fall of Year 3). The student dissertation committee is also fully formed by the end of Year 2. The comprehensive exam in the format of a dissertation proposal (written and oral components) is expected to occur near the end of fall semester or beginning of spring semester of Year 3. Once the dissertation committee has approved the written proposal and oral defense, the committee will recommend that the student should be advanced to candidacy. Most students are expected to complete the dissertation process and defend by the end of Year 4. For part time students, there is an additional year of coursework prior to the dissertation process. Most coursework is completed by the end of the spring of Year 3 and the dissertation committee is fully formed by the end of Year 3. Most part time students are expected to complete the dissertation process and defend by the end of Year 5. See the PhD degree plans in Appendix A. If students do not meet the timing benchmarks listed above, a student success or academic review meeting may be held to determine next steps.
WVU guidelines state that once a student is admitted to candidacy, the student has no more than five years to complete the doctoral program. If a student needs more than five years to complete the doctoral program following candidacy, the PhD Program Committee must approve an extension and follow relevant University guidelines.
Evaluation Process
The faculty at the SSW is committed to supporting all admitted students in their timely completion of the program. Students are provided regular evaluation of progress through their feedback from individual instructors, academic advisors, and the program director. Individual instructors provide feedback through academic assignments and individual meetings as needed. The academic advisor is available to discuss with students any areas in which they may be experiencing challenges and/or need additional support and should be the primary contact for all academic matters. Students also receive regular formal evaluations in the spring of each year of the program completed by their academic advisor. Students and advisors will meet together to review and discuss these evaluations. Additionally, all GTAs/GRAs will be evaluated annually as per WVU guidelines.