Step 1: Identify and Confirm Committee Members
With your supervisor’s guidance, identify 5–6 potential committee members. This must include at least one member external to the ECE Graduate Studies Committee (ECE GSC). Full rules regarding the composition of your committee can be found HERE. Share a brief (1–2 page) research summary and your coursework list with each member. Secure verbal or written agreement from each person to serve on your committee. Step 2: Submit Committee Details
Email your Track PhD Coordinator with the following: Your full name, EID, and academic track Tentative dissertation title Full list of committee members and their roles CV of the external member
Step 3: Await Committee Approval
Your proposed dissertation committee will be announced by your Track PhD Coordinator to the ECE GSC (Graduate Studies Committee) and reviewed by the ECE GSC on a no-objection basis. Wait two weeks while your proposed committee is under review, and do not proceed to conduct one-on-one evaluation meetings with each proposed committee member until you have received approval from your Track PhD Coordinator confirming that you can proceed.
Part 2: Complete Individual Candidacy EvaluationsStep 4: Conduct Evaluation Meetings
Schedule individual 30-minute meetings with each non-supervisory committee member. A formal presentation is not required, but you may use slides or figures to provide context. Committee members may share specific expectations or evaluation criteria in advance. Step 5: Obtain Formal Sign-Offs
Each committee member must confirm your readiness for candidacy and agreement to serve by signing the ECE PhD Candidacy Evaluation Form HERE. Step 6: Submit Final Application for Candidacy
Once all sign-offs are complete, wait for email instructions from the Graduate Advising Team. You’ll then have 2 weeks to submit your candidacy application online. Your application will go through multiple levels of review, with final approval granted by a Degree Evaluator in the Graduate School. Note on Late-Semester Candidacy:
If your candidacy is approved after the 12th class day (or 4th class day in summer), you may still be able to get added to Dissertation course hours and dropped from the equivalent number of Research Problems course hours in that same semester or summer—provided the Graduate School’s internal deadline has not passed, and if you are already registered for Research Problems for 3, 6, or 9 credit hours. Contact Graduate Advising to confirm eligibility. |