Doctoral  Program
A Handbook for Students in Family Studies



Dear Potential Doctoral Student,

Welcome to the Family Studies program. We are very pleased that you are interested in the University of New Mexico for graduate study, and we hope that your experience will be meaningful.   The faculty look forward to meeting and working with you to accomplish your professional goals.
Our program is designed to address the contemporary needs of individuals and families in an ever-changing society.  You will find many opportunities within the program, department, college and university.  We urge you to become involved and knowledgeable about the many programs and projects in which the faculty are involved.

Graduate School is one of life's greatest challenges.  Acquiring information about requirements, regulations, and services can seem to be an impossible task.  We hope that this handbook will prove to be a valuable resource.  It contains materials designed to inform you of options and program procedures.

We urge you to read this handbook and the UNM Catalog to be come familiar with applicable rules, regulations and procedures.  Remember at all times that ultimately you are responsible for your graduate education.

The faculty in Family Studies continue to rebalance, refocus and refine processes, programs and courses in order to provide you with a better framework to meet the challenges of family professionals.  It is a pleasure to welcome you to the program, and we wish you the best for the short time you will be with us.

Sincerely,
The Family Studies faculty


The following are included in this document:
Mission Statement
Program/Department/College
General Facilities
Graduate Student Financial Aid
Student Organizations
Admissions Process
Advisement
Committee on Studies
Program Requirements
Application for Candidacy
Grades/Disenrollment/Probation
Change in Committee
Comprehensive Exam
Purpose of Comprehensive Examinations
Committee
Areas of Study
Application to take Comprehensive Exam
Dates for Comprehensive Exam
Results of Written Exam
The Oral Examination
Repeating Comprehensive Exams
Change in Committee
Internship
Dissertation
Dissertation Committee
Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation Proposal Hearing
Enrollment for Dissertation Credit
Dissertation Format
The Final Exam and Defense
Change in Committee

Mission Statement

The mission of the Family Studies program is to prepare students to work in arenas that endeavor to enhance individual and family strengths.  Strengthening families and their individual members facilitates the development of a life-long learning environment.  Programs are designed to provide a solid foundation in human development, interpersonal relations, and family resource management that recognizes the dynamic interactions of theory, research, and reflective practices.  Family Studies is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field, exemplifying effective practice and scholarly inquiry that are sensitive and responsive to issues of cultural diversity.  The scholarly work of the program extends to the community through collaboration with families, schools, health and social service agencies, businesses, public policy agendas, and government entities.  Programs strive to be responsive to the evolving needs of external constituencies.

Program/Department/College

Family Studies offers degree programs from the bachelor's through the doctoral level that reflect the role of diverse families in New Mexico's multicultural environment and in a global world.  Throughout their evolution, programs have focused on learning across the developmental stages of the life cycle - from conception to death.  Within the context of the mission of the College of Education, the Department of Individual, Family and Community Education, Family Studies prepares professionals who will work in educational, social service and public policy environments to facilitate individual and family well-being.  The family provides the child's first learning environment, and this environment impacts the child's education and learning throughout life.

The interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary emphasis in Family Studies includes knowledge in four domains.  The four domains are:  Cultural Diversity, Family Relations, Family Resource Management, and Human Development.  This knowledge base provides graduates with professional competence for careers in family related programs, in academic, social service and policy institutions.  Theory testing, inquiry and reflective practices undergird the Family Studies curricula.

General Facilities

Computer and Information Resources and Technology (CIRT)  Computer and Information Resources and Technology, or CIRT, provides computing and data communication services and support for the academic and administrative communities at UNM.  To meet the variety of computing needs at UNM, CIRT offers services through several computing systems, including, UNIX, CMS, DOS/Widows and Mac OS.
Teaching Assistant Resource Center (TARC)  The Teaching Assistant Resource Center (TARC) provides instruction to the University's teaching assistants about issues of classroom teaching.  The Center offers a workshop series that addresses such topics as the roles and responsibilities of TA's, creativity and class preparations, lecturing skills, leading class discussions, giving critiques and evaluation.
General Libraries  The General Library system consists of the Zimmerman Library, the Center for Academic Program Support, the Center for Southwest Research, the Centennial Science and Engineering Library, the Fine Arts Library, and the William J. Parish Business and Economics Library.  In addition to the above resources, the Law  Library located in the School of Law, provides extensive resources and services to meet the curricular and research needs of the Law School community.  The Health Sciences Center Library is the major bibliographic research, learning, and information resource on north campus.
See The University of New Mexico Catalog for more detailed information.

Graduate Student Financial Aid

Students seeking advanced degrees may apply for financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships and fellowships.  Graduate Assistantships are awarded each year in open competition after application to an individual graduate unit.  The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) coordinates a number of financial awards as does the College of Education. Graduate units are notified of these awards and are responsible for distributing information to their students.  Contact the Family Studies Graduate Coordinator, College of Education or OGS for more information about the specific awards and requirements.
Graduate Studies Fellowships/Assistantships/Scholarships
The OGS coordinates a number of financial aid programs for graduate students.  Students from groups underrepresented in graduate education are particularly encouraged to apply.  For more information about these fellowships, contact the Financial Aid Coordinator at (505) 277-2711.
Student Loans
The University administers National Direct/Perkins Loan and Federal Direct Student Loans and cooperates in the administration of such loans.  The deadline for filing applications varies.  For more information contact the Student Financial Aid
Office, (505) 277-2041.
Other Funding
Like many universities, the University of New Mexico offers a number of funding opportunities.  Contact OGS and/or the College of Education for specific information.

Student Organizations

The College of Education has a general graduate student organization.  Contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the COE or the Graduate Program Coordinator for further information.

Admission Process

An application to the Family Studies doctoral program is available at Simpson Hall or by calling (505) 277-4535.  The application packet must be completed and returned to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS).

The completed application, including a non-refundable one-time fee and two copies of all undergraduate transcripts, must be on file with the OGS two weeks prior to deadlines, which are March 15 for summer and fall semesters and October 15 for spring semester.  Late applications may be accepted per UNM Catalog.  Offers of admission are only for the semester the student applies.  Failure to enroll or to properly defer admission will cancel the student's graduate status.  Any student who is not enrolled for three or more consecutive semesters (including summer) must apply for readmission, using a special form that must be filed with the OGS by the above dates.  An application fee is not required for readmission status.  OGS maintains records of previous students for five years after the date of last attendance.

Students from academic backgrounds other than Family Studies are encouraged to apply.  Students are expected to have a master's degree or its equivalent in a related area.  The GRE is required of all applicants.  A combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative scales generally is required for admission.  Applicants  also must take the writing exam portion of the GRE.  Additional requirements include a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study and a 3.3 graduate study GPA.  Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant academic background and work experience; evidence of, interest in, or experience with cultural pluralism as indicated in the letter of intent; demonstration of critical thinking and writing skills; and letters of recommendation from former professors and work supervisors with doctoral degrees.  See Doctoral Admission Rating Form.  All full-time faculty members independently review and rate each applicant based on the materials submitted.  Two faculty members interview applicants who have a mean rating of 25 or higher.  A recommendation regarding admission is presented to the entire Family Studies faculty.  A vote is taken and both the Family Studies Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies communicate the resulting decision to the applicant.

Advisement

When students are notified of admission to the program, each is assigned a temporary advisor.  By the end of the first semester, a Family Studies faculty member must be selected by the student as the permanent advisor.  It is the student's responsibility to inform, in writing, his or her selected advisor, the temporary advisor, and the Graduate Coordinator.  After the first semester students may select a different advisor by agreement with that individual and by writing a letter to the current advisor which is copied to the Graduate Coordinator.  Any change in advisor should be done prior to the selection of the Committee on Studies.  All students must meet with their advisor prior to registration each semester in order to get their academic holds released.

Committee on Studies

Each doctoral student will be assisted by a Committee on Studies in planning his/her program of studies.  This program should be designed to foster a thorough knowledge of the major concentration, both in depth and in breadth.  The Committee on Studies should be selected as early as possible.  The basic role of the Committee is to plan, with the student, an integrated individual program of study and research that meets general and program requirements.  The Program on Studies (available online and from OGS) is a sequence of academic and professional experiences that is planned carefully by the student and the Committee on Studies.

A minimum of three faculty members will serve on the Committee on Studies, two must be from Family Studies; the third member must be from the student's minor area.  The student selects the chair of his/her committee and, in discussion with him/her, selects the remainder of the committee members with their agreement.  The committee must meet to approve the Program of Studies and oversee its execution.  The proposed program, developed in consultation with the committee chair, must be distributed one week in advance of the program meeting. 

Additional functions of the Committee include the establishment of prerequisites when needed and the recommendation of transfer of credits.

Program Requirements
               
Family Studies Master's Core   
22 Credits
FS 503 Seminar in Human Growth and Development
FS 517 Family Interaction
FS 543 Managing Family Resources
FS 570 Research Methods in Family Studies
FS 571 Research Project
FS 581 Seminar in Legal, Ethical, and Policy Issues
FS 584 Multicultural Issues: Working with Families
Ed Psy 511 Introductory Educational Statistics
3
3
3
3
1
3
3
3
Family Studies Doctoral Core 
9 Credits
FS 670 Adv. Seminar in Theory and Research in FS I
FS 671 Adv. Seminar in Theory and Research in FS II
FS 696 Internship
3
3
3
Additional Major Requirements                    15 Credits
Each student will have a major emphasis in the area of Family Studies.  The program of studies may include courses in the program as well as from other programs and must be approved by the student's Committee on Studies.  A minimum of nine hours must carry a FS prefix, three of which must be an independent problem be taken with a regular Family Studies faculty member in the area of research.
Minor                                                            24 Credits
A minor is required by the college of Education.  Minor areas of study include, but are not limited to: Anthropology, Bilingual/Multicultural Studies, Communications, Counselor Education, Economics, Educational Psychology, Health Promotions, Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, Women Studies or a composite minor, preferably in the behavioral sciences.  The student must obtain an advisor in the minor field who will determine the courses to be taken in that area.
Inquiry Skills                                                 15 Credits
Ed Psy 603 Statistical Design and Analyses in Education
Ed Psy 604 Multiple Regression Techniques as Applied to Education
Ed Psy 606 Statistical Design and Analyses for Multiple Dependent Measures
                    plus 6 hours with approval of the Committee on Studies
Dissertation                                                  18 Credits
Students may not register for dissertation hours until comprehensive exams are passed; alternatively, students may register for dissertation hours in the same semester the comprehensive exam is taken, with credit contingent upon passing the exams.  Once students register for dissertation hours, they must continue to register for dissertation hours in every succeeding Fall and Spring semester until the dissertation has been successfully defended.

Application for Candidacy

A key requirement that must be satisfied in order to earn a doctoral degree is Advancement to Candidacy.  The process is begun by completion of the "Application for Doctoral Candidacy," which formally summarizes a student's doctoral program of studies.  Approval of that program of studies by the student's doctoral Committee on Studies is indicated by their signatures on the form, along with that of the department chair.

The completed "Application for Doctoral Candidacy" is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies during the semester in which the student has passed his/her doctoral comprehensive examination.  After determining that all requirements except outstanding course work, internship hours and the dissertation have been fulfilled, the Dean of Graduate Studies will advance the student to candidacy.

Grades/Disenrollment/Probation

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.  The student will remain on academic probation as long as the cumulative GPA remains below 3.0 and will be disenrolled from graduate status if the GPA remains below 3.0 after 12 semester hours on probationary status.  Students also will be placed on probation if they earn two grades of  F and/or NC, even if their cumulative GPA remains above 3.0, and will be disenrolled if a third F or NC is earned.

Students placed on probationary status are not eligible for assistantships, nor are they allowed to take comprehensive exams, file for candidacy or graduate.  If a student's GPA drops below 3.0 due to incompletes, he/she will be placed on Type 2 probation and not allowed to graduate.  A student may not graduate with an incomplete in any course.

Change in Committee

Change of membership on the Committee on Studies may be initiated by the student, the committee chairperson, or a committee member.  Any change in committee requires the following procedures:
1. The person desiring the change will petition the Program Coordinator for approval of the change.  This petition will be in writing and will state the rationale for the change.  This petition will be attached to a completed Change of Committee Membership form.
2. The Program Coordinator will review the petition and make a recommendation to the entire Family Studies faculty.
3. The final decision to approve or disapprove is the responsibility of the entire Family Studies faculty.
4. Appeals of this decision may be made to the Department Chair and will follow College of  Education grievance procedures.

Comprehensive Exam

Purpose of Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive examination is designed to test the student's knowledge of the general field of Family Studies.  The comprehensive examination is the culmination of the student's program of study and is used to determine the student's qualification for advancement to doctoral candidacy.  The student's performance on the comprehensive examination is an indicator of preparation and readiness for independent research and scholarly contributions.

Committee

It is strongly recommended that the Committee on Studies also serve as the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination Committee.  There must be a minimum of three faculty on the committee, two from Family Studies and one representing the student's minor area of study.  The Committee on Studies in place at the beginning of the semester in which the examination is taken will serve as the comprehensive examination committee.  Any changes after the beginning of the semester must follow Change of Committee Member Procedures.

Areas of Study

The examination is both written and oral.  The examination is not limited to content in the student's course work, but focuses on the student's grasp of the field as a whole.  Questions in the major field will be designed to cover the following content areas:

a. Theoretical foundations (Theories of  Family Relations, Family     Resource Management and Human Development)
b. Philosophy of Family Studies
c. Research methodologies
d. Policy issues and ethics
e. Multi Cultural Issues
The chair of the examination committee will convene a meeting of the committee, without the student present, to determine the questions the student will be given, assuring that all areas are included.  In addition to the major questions, the minor advisor may submit an examination of the minor area.

Application to take Comprehensive Exam

Before a student is permitted to take the comprehensive examination, he/she must have completed the core requirements, both for the master's and doctoral programs, the inquiry skills requirement, and have removed all Incompletes.  Students may be in their last semester of course work.

The examination may not be given until the student's Application for Candidacy has been approved.  At least two weeks prior to the planned examination (oral portion) the student must notify the Office of Graduate Studies of the examination.  The announcement of the examination requires a specific form, available through OGS, signed by the department chair.

Dates for Comprehensive Exam

The student must notify his/her advisor within the first two weeks of scheduled classes that he/she intends to take the comprehensive exam in the current semester.  The exam must be scheduled in order for the orals to be held three weeks prior to final exam week.

Results of Written Exam

Once the written comprehensive examination is completed, the student may not reestablish the Comprehensive Examination Committee, except in the rare event that a faculty member can no longer serve on the Committee.  However, it is the Committee that is responsible for determining whether to proceed to the oral portion of the comprehensive examination.

The student will be notified of the results of the examination no later than two weeks from the Friday of the written exam.  If the program anticipates being unable to meet this deadline, it must give the student written notice to this effect prior to the examination; in this event the student shall be notified no later than three weeks from the Friday of the exam.

The Oral Examination

After successful completion of the written portion of the exam, the Committee will schedule the oral portion.  This portion should be scheduled within two weeks after completion of the written portion.  The oral examination will be scheduled for at least two hours and not longer than three hours.  The content of the examination may cover any topic related to Family Studies and the minor area of study.  The Family Studies faculty will be invited to this examination.  The majority of the examination will be the responsibility of the Committee on Studies.  Other members of the program may ask questions.  However, it will be the prerogative of the committee chairperson to determine the relevance and appropriateness of any question from a non-committee member.  If partial rewrites are required, they must be completed within two weeks from the date the student is informed of the results of the written portion.  The Committee will determine the results of the oral examination as a committee in closed session.  Four options are available:
    1. Pass with Honors
    2. Pass
    3. Pass with Conditions
    4. Fail

The Committee will make a recommendation to the entire Family Studies faculty if the result of the comprehensive examination is "Pass with Conditions."  Conditions may include but are not limited to additional course work, independent research and supervised readings.  The conditions and criteria for successful completion of the conditions must be given to the student in writing.  This document should include a time line for completion of the assignment, as well as consequences for failure to complete the assignment successfully.  Students who fail the examination will be given an opportunity to take the exam again within one calendar year of the date of the first exam and when the Committee determines that the student is ready.  (See below.)

Normally the student will be informed by the Committee of the results of the oral examination at the conclusion of the Committee's deliberation on the day of the exam, but in no case longer than ten days from the completed examination.  Results of the examination shall be reported to the Office of Graduate Studies on the form provided.

Repeating Comprehensive Exams

If students are required to repeat all or part of an exam, it must be administrated within one calendar year from the date of the first exam.  The doctoral examination may only be taken twice.  The student's committee chairperson will present to the Family Studies faculty a plan and justification of any variation in procedure.

Change in Committee

Any change in the student's committee at this stage should be rare.  If a change is requested, the student and/or faculty member will follow the procedures outlined earlier in this booklet.

Internship

Many students enter the doctoral program with extensive professional experience.  This experience is not to be minimized.  However, all students must participate in an internship as a part of the doctoral program.

An internship is a integral component of the Family Studies Ph.D. program.  The essential purpose of the internship is to provide the student an opportunity for a planned professional experience in teaching, research, or work with a community or government agency that serves families.  This internship is planned to add a new dimension to the student's previous professional experience.  The internship should be planned at the end of the student's program of studies.  It is the culminating experience of the program, which provides the opportunity to integrate, in a practice setting, the knowledge, understanding, and skills learned in the program heretofore.  A setting is chosen that is compatible with the student's professional goals.  Site selection should begin no later than six weeks prior to the semester when the internship is to take place.  Listed below are possible internship experiences:
    1. Working in a community agency
    2. Working with a government agency program, e.g., adoption, family planning, resource management, housing projects,
        children or youth programs, youth and adult extension or continuing education programs
    3. Working in policy-oriented or advocacy environments that are related to families and individuals
    4. Developing a new Family Studies or related course
    5. Teaching a Family Studies or related area course in a university or community college
    6. Taking a major role in a research project
   
The student may select any Family Studies faculty member for his/her on-campus supervisor.  Prior to beginning the internship, the student, in collaboration with the site supervisor, will prepare a proposal that includes:
    1. A statement describing the proposed internship
    2. A rationale for choosing this internship, including a statement of the contribution(s) that the experience
        will make to the student's professional goals and objectives
    3. A statement of goals and objectives
    4. A statement of activities, methods and/or experiences leading to the achievement of goals and objectives
    5. A statement of specific criteria by which the student, the internship supervisor, and the faculty
        supervisor will evaluate attainment of goals and objectives.

The student must enroll for a minimum of three credit hours.  Paid internships are encouraged whenever possible.  A minimum of 150 contact hours are required.  Hours for meeting with faculty and preparing materials are in addition to the contact time.  Students are encouraged to keep a journal.  Students are required to meet a minimum of one hour per week with the on-site supervisor and have monthly contact with the faculty supervisor.  The final grade is the responsibility of the faculty member.

Dissertation

After successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the Committee on Studies is dissolved automatically.  The student then is Advanced to Candidacy and moves to the dissertation stage.  Each candidate for a Ph.D. shall prepare a dissertation.  The dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must demonstrate both ability to conduct independent research and competence in scholarly expression.  It should present the results of an original investigation, at an advanced level, of a significant problem and should provide the basis for a publishable contribution to the research literature of the major field.  A doctoral candidate will have five years for completion of all degree requirements, from the date he or she is advanced formally to candidacy by the Dean of Graduate Studies.  Enrollment in dissertation credits may not begin before the semester in which the student completes comprehensive exams.  A student who fails to complete the comprehensive examination in the semester of the initial enrollment will receive a "W" for FS 699 for that semester.

Dissertation Committee

The student is responsible for forming a Dissertation Committee.  The first step is to select a Director (Chairperson), within Family Studies, who has expertise and knowledge in the research area.  The remainder of the committee is selected in consultation with the Director.  In addition to the Director, the committee must have three members, two who must be UNM faculty who are approved for graduate instruction with established competence in the field of the dissertation, or some aspect of it.  At least one member of the Committee shall be tenured or tenured track, chosen from another graduate unit or another accredited institution.  There also must be at least two Family Studies faculty members on the committee.  A student may supplement minimum committee membership of four with qualified members from outside the University.  These supplemental appointments must be requested at the time of the formation of the dissertation committee, identified on the Appointment of Dissertation Committee form and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

 Dissertation Proposal

The dissertation proposal should be presented in consultation with the dissertation committee and specifically with the dissertation director.  Dissertation proposals should be prepared following the writing standards contained in the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual. The following sections should be included.
I. Introduction
    A. General Purpose
         A short section that sets the stage for the study and gives the reader a general sense of the topic to be studied.
    B. Rationale
         Develop the ideas related to the topic of the study.  The intent should be to narrow down the general topic indicated in the previous paragraph to the specific
         focus of the study.  Justification of the importance of  the importance of the topic should be included.
    C. Statement of the Problem
         In a more focused and specific way, describe the study to be undertaken.  What variables will be included?  What are the specific questions being addressed?
    D. Research Questions
         Some studies may be exploratory or purely descriptive in nature and will include only research questions.  If hypotheses are appropriate to the study, indicate
         the specific hypotheses to be investigated.  The hypotheses may be stated in the null form of predictions, depending on the wishes of the committee.  Hypotheses         may be presented in operational form.
    E. Conceptual Framework
         This section will outline the theory or conceptual framework to be used to guide the study.
    F. Definition of Terms
          Include a set of definitions for the particular technical terms or concepts needed for the study with appropriate references.
II. Review of Literature
         This section need not be a complete review of the literature related to the topic, but it should include enough research to develop a firm background for the
         study and the measures and procedures that will be used.
III. Methodology
    A. Sample Characteristics
         Identify the population relevant to the question(s) being addressed.  Include a description of the kind(s) of participants to be included in the sample selection,
         addressing selection criteria, sampling and recruitment methods that will be employed.
    B. Measures/Instruments
         Describe the methods to be used to measure the variables of the study.  If specific instruments are to be employed, include information about reliability, validity,
         and the appropriateness for the sample as well as their estimated time for completion.
    C. Data Collection Procedures
         In addition to describing the administration and collection of the information, this section also includes discussions concerning the pilot study, statements of
         potential harm to subjects, procedures for informed consent, confidentiality, and training of experimenters or data collectors.  If appropriate to the study,
         describe the treatment to be offered, and the assignment to treatments, sequence of administration of multiple measures.
    D. Data Processing Procedures
         Describe any procedures needed to prepare data for submission to data analysis procedures.  Such topics as item scoring, scoring agreement, ratings, missing
         data, software packages should be included.
    E. Data Analysis Procedures
         Describe the specific statistical techniques to be performed for each hypothesis.  A set of dummy data tables may be offered as evidence that the issues have
         been thought through.
IV. References
V. Appendices
     Any measurement instruments/questionnaires should be included for committee review.

Dissertation Proposal Hearing

At least two weeks prior to the hearing, the candidate will distribute to each committee member a copy of the final proposal.  After the proposal is approved by the dissertation committee, the dissertation director will schedule a formal proposal hearing.  A written announcement of the proposal hearing must be sent to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Dean of Research in the College of Education, all faculty members in the College of Education, and graduate students in Family Studies at least two weeks prior to the date of the hearing.  The hearing is open to other students and faculty, and is normally scheduled for two hours.  The dissertation director will chair the hearing and will allow each member of the committee approximately equivalent amounts of time to examine the candidate and proposal.  The dissertation director will retain the right to accept and reject questions from observers.

After the conclusion of the hearing, the committee in closed session will take the following action and report such on the Report of Results of Dissertation Hearing Form:
    1. Approval of the proposal as written
    2. Approval with changes  
        Recommendations for changes will be made in writing to the candidate.  The committee may withhold approval until the changes are incorporated into the
        written proposal or they may sign the approval and charge the director with the responsibility for incorporating the changes.
    3. Disapproval of the proposal
        If the proposal is not approved, or approved with changes, the committee will specify the reasons in writing.  This report must be transmitted to the candidate orally immediately following the hearing and in writing within ten days of the hearing.  If the proposal is not approved, the candidate and the committee should meet as soon as practical to begin work on a  new proposal.  The same procedures are in effect for a second proposal.

One copy of the approved proposal and one copy of the Report of the Dissertation Proposal Hearing Form will be filed in the candidate's records.  After the committee has approved the proposal, the student will submit an application for approval of human subjects (Institutional Review Board) following University procedures.  Forms are available from the COE Office of Research Compilance and online.   If the research involves a college on North Campus, materials must be submitted to their human subjects review board as well.

Enrollment for Dissertation Credit

The Family Studies doctoral program includes a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation, FS 699.  Enrollment for dissertation may be for 3, 6, 9, or 12 hours per semester, with a maximum of 9 hours during the summer session.  The specific number of hours should reflect the amount of time a student is devoting to working on the dissertation and the demand the student places on faculty members, libraries and other University resources.  Continuous enrollment for dissertation is expected in subsequent semesters (exclusive of summer) after initial enrollment until the dissertation is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies.  Doctoral students must be enrolled the semester in which they complete degree requirements, including summer session.

Dissertation Format

The dissertation is to be written using the current style required by OGS.  All other university requirements regarding dissertation format and style apply.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain and apply this information.

The Final Exam and Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation, copies in final form will be distributed to members of the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks prior to the final examination and dissertation defense.  The Dissertation Committee approves readiness of the dissertation before the final examination and defense can be convened.

The candidate is responsible for scheduling the final examination.  By using the Announcement of Final Examination for Doctorate form, the Office of Graduate Studies is informed.  The director of the dissertation is responsible for notifying the College of Education faculty and all FS graduate students by using the same form.

The doctoral oral dissertation defense examination is the last formal step before the degree is awarded and is to be conducted with due regard to its importance as such.  The contents of the examination are the dissertation and its relationship to the candidate's major field, and its purposes are:
    1. To provide an opportunity for candidates to communicate the results of their research to a wider group of scholars;
    2. To afford an opportunity for the members of the examination committee, as well as other faculty members, to ask relevant questions;
    3. To ensure that the research reflects the independence of  thought and accomplishment of the candidate rather than excessive dependence on the guidance of the faculty member; and finally,
    4. To ensure that the candidate is thoroughly familiar with the problem addressed in the dissertation and its setting and relevance to the discipline of which it is a part.

The Dissertation Committee may take the following action after the final defense:
    1. Recommend that the dissertation be approved without change;
    2. Recommend that the dissertation be approved with minor editorial changes (no further committee action is required; the Director assumes responsibility for changes);
    3. Require major revision before approval (further committee review is required in an informal meeting, which will be announced to OGS and the program faculty).

Evaluation sheets and Reports of Final Examination for Doctorate Form must be completed before processing the dissertation to the Office of Graduate Studies. Upon approval of the dissertation by the Dissertation Committee, the student will disseminate the following:
    To the Office of Graduate Studies:
        1. Two copies of the dissertation
        2. Certificate of final form, signed by Dissertation Chair and student
        3. Information cover sheet
        4. Bell & Howell  agreement form with a copy of the abstract, title page and a cashier's check or money order for microfilming.

After approval by the Office of Graduate Studies, final copies (bound) will be distributed as  follows:
        1. To the College of Education: One copy of the abstract;
        2. To the Family Studies Program:
            a. One copy of the dissertation with abstract,
            b. Two additional copies of the abstract;
        3. To the Dissertation Committee:
            a. One copy of the dissertation with abstract to the chairperson;
            b. Professional courtesy suggests that a copy also be presented to each member of the  Dissertation Committee.

The semester the student intends to graduate, the Intent to Graduate Form (available online or from OGS) must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Change in Committee

Change in membership of the Dissertation Committee may be initated by the student, the committee chairperson, or the committeee member.  The same procedures outlined earlier in this booklet apply.

Change in Committee Membership Form


THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
FAMILY STUDIES PROGRAM

Change in Committee Membership
Check one:
        _____  Committee on Studies
        _____ Comprehensive Examination Committee
        _____ Dissertation Committee

Name of Student ____________________________________________________

    Committee member to be removed: ____________________________________
       
    Committee member to be added:______________________________________

Reason for Change:









                                                                    _____________________________
                                                                     Signature of Person Requesting Change

APPROVAL:    _______________________________________
                            Committee Chairperson                                              Date

                         _______________________________________
                            Member Being Removed                                            Date

                        ________________________________________
                            Member Being Added                                                Date

                        ________________________________________
                            Graduate Coordinator                                                 Date

                        ________________________________________
                            Program Coordinator                                                 Date

Application Evaluation Form
Doctoral Admission Rating Form


______________________________________________
Name of Applicant

______________________________________________
Rater




Year___________________
SUGGESTED GUIDE:
1. Scholarship
    Other data may result in higher ratings.


2. Relevant Academic Background
    30 hours of Behavioral Science
    courses minimum.

3. Work Experience
 

4. Letters of Reference


5. Personal Statement


6. Cultural Pluralism
     Training
     Experience
     Exposure

7. Writing Ability


TOTALS


TOTAL
1
2
3
4
5
---------
---------
2.99 and
below

3.0- 3.49
3.5 and
above