The Doctoral Program Staff (Program Director, Program Assistant Director and Graduate Assistant) and the Doctoral Board (five full-time faculty members) work closely with the Director of Academic Services to ensure the smooth operation of the program.
Every member of the Wagner faculty participates in the doctoral program. However, governance of the program is delegated to the Doctoral Board, consisting of a faculty group appointed by the Dean, and Chaired by the Director of the Doctoral Program. The Board ensures faculty representation in the effective management of the Doctoral Program.
The Doctoral Board establishes academic policy for doctoral studies and defines specific strategies to implement this policy in areas such as recruitment, admissions, advisement, curriculum development and other matters affecting the quality of the educational experience for doctoral students. Board members, along with the entire Wagner faculty, advise students about doctoral field preparation; approve student proposals for special fields, and prepare and grade the Preliminary Qualifying Examination (PQE) and Comprehensive Exams.
The Director of the Doctoral Program leads the effort to maintain and improve the quality of the Doctoral Program. S/he works with the Board to ensure the effective design and implementation of policy in matters affecting the academic quality of the program as well as the educational experience of doctoral students.
The Director and Assistant Director are responsible for the daily operation of the program, and are in close communication with doctoral students, facilitating their academic process and trouble shooting when problems arise. The Assistant Director also serves as the administrative liaison for the Association to Benefit Doctoral Students (ABD).
