HSR PhD Program Requirement Checklist

Directions: The table below details the requirements, time line and forms needed for progression in the HSR PhD program. A link is provided for each of the forms. All forms are to be routed through the HSR PhD Director for signature.

Requirement	Timeline	Forms	Instructions/Notes
Selection of Advisor	First Semester		Student should select an academic advisor who will assist in forming an advisory committee and an appropriate plan of study Academic advisors will be identified no later than the end of the student’s first year in the program. The academic advisor must be a member of the HSR PhD Program Faculty.
Plan of Study	Second Semester	PhD Plan of Study	Must include: 57 total credit hours including four major areas: 9 credit hours of interdisciplinary health services research theoretical courses; 14 credit hours of methods and methodological issues; 4 credits of HSRD 8200 9 credit hours of an area of interest; 18 credit hours of Dissertation. Additional coursework is expected for students who do not possess a sound background in Statistics, Health Policy or Epidemiology. Three prerequisite graduate level courses must be successfully completed with a grade of B or higher before enrolling in the corresponding doctoral level course. Statistics or Biostatistics Health Policy Epidemiology
Transfer of Credit		Application for Transfer of Credit into a Graduate Degree Program form	Please consult the HSR PhD student handbook. A maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit will be considered for acceptance into the HSR PhD program. Undergraduate courses are not transferable for graduate credit. Graduate courses that appear in the undergraduate section of a transcript are only transferable if the Registrar of the institution where the credit was received can verify in writing that the graduate courses in question were not counted toward the student’s undergraduate degree requirements.
Independent Study	Application deadline is 2 weeks prior to the beginning of classes.	HSR PhD Independent Study Application	This HSR Independent study application will serve as the course syllabus. It can be referred to in cases of grade challenges. After approval by the Program Director, only changes agreeable to both the student and advisor are permissible. Changes must be in writing, signed by the student and faculty member, and approved by the Program Director.
Substitution of an Independent Study for a Core Course	The Special Request form is used to request exceptions to graduate student academic policies for students with extenuating circumstances.	Special Request Form	If the independent study is intended to substitute for a required regular course in the HSR PhD curriculum, describe how the independent stufy will fulfill the goals of the regular course. Independenty study courses are not typically permitted to substitute for courses offered in the same semester, or scheduled for the following semester. Provide a rationale for the course (why the “independent” dimension is required). Students preparing independent study applications intended to substitute for a required regular course in the HSR PhD program should consult with the Program Director before preparing a detailed application.
Appointment of Dissertation Committee		Appointment of Doctoral Dissertation Committee or DNP Scholarly Project Committee	Must be at least 4 members, with an optional 5th member. Four must be from the HSR PhD Program Faculty or Participating Faculty (one of whom is the Chair).
Qualifying Exam	The student takes the Qualifying Examination after completing all required HSR PhD courses excepting the dissertation hours, and after having prepared for the defense of the dissertation proposal. The Qualifying Examination and the defense of the dissertation proposal, although conceptually separate, are scheduled and conducted at the same time.	Report of Comprehensive/Qualifying Exam, Portfolio Presentation, and Study report for Doctoral and/or Master’s student	Students who do not pass the Qualifying Examination on the first attempt will be permitted to schedule one additional attempt. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the HSR PhD program.
Dissertation Proposal	Following successful completion of qualifying exam and the defense of the dissertation proposal	Proposal Defense for Doctoral Dissertation and/or Master’s Thesis (formerly known as Petition for Topic Approval)
Application for Admission to Candidacy	Application deadline as per Graduate School, please refer to Academic Calendar		To apply for candidacy for a graduate certificate, masters, or doctoral degree: log into My UNC Charlotte, select Banner Self-Service, Student Services, Student Records, and Apply for Candidacy for Graduate Students. After completing all sections, the application is printed and taken to the department for the Graduate Coordinator’s approval Signature. Student must list all classes and grades for the PhD program for a total of 64 credit hours. Form must be approved and signed by the HSR PhD Director.
Schedule Dissertation Defense Submission of Dissertation Abstract	Prior to Defense		Email the HSR PhD Director with the following details for public announcement 3 weeks before the defense date: Defense day, time and location Primary advisor Dissertation title and abstract
Dissertation Defense		Final Defense Report for Doctoral Dissertation, Scholarly Project, Master’s thesis, or Master’s Project	Submit completed defense report with signatures to the HSR PhD Director – form will be forwarded to the graduate school. Change of grade for IP courses will be submitted to the Registrar’s Office following submission of successful defense report.
Submission of Dissertation	After successful defense, by the deadline indicated by the Graduate School – see UNC Charlotte Academic Calendar To request a deadline extension for dissertation submission, please contact the Graduate School directly	Submission and ETD/Submission Form – Dissertation and Thesis – Copyright/Open Access Publishing/Hard Copy Binding Information on submitting your ETD.	Dissertations must be approved by the Graduate School prior to final submission. Please make an appointment for preliminary review with the Graduate School well in advance of the dissertation submission deadline. Provide the HSR PhD Director an electronic copy of the dissertation.
Application for Degree		To access the “On-Line Graduation Application.” Log-on to your Banner Self Service Account Click on “Student Services/Financial Aid/Student Accounts” option Click on “Student Records” option Click on “Online Graduation Application” option	This form is due by the 8th instructional day of the semester in which you will graduate. NOTES: – if you change your graduation date, you will need to submit a new form, and repay the application fee. – students still need to provide the Graduate School with paper copies of “Application for Candidacy for a Degree Program”. These forms will continue to be available from the “Graduate School Forms” page of the Graduate School website.