Doctoral Student Process and Forms

All completed forms should be submitted to the Epidemiology Academic Program Manager in the Epidemiology Student Services Office. The Epidemiology Program Number is 00198 for the below forms.

  1. Competency Exam

    After successfully passing the Competency Exam, the Doctoral Chair will approve and send the Recommendation for Candidacy Form to the Epidemiology Academic Program Manager to submit to Rackham. Rackham will notify each student when this paperwork has been processed and the student has reached Candidacy status.

  2. Individual Development Plan (IDP)
    Complete and submit your IDP form once you have met with your mentor.
  3.  Form your Dissertation Committee
    The next step is for students to meet with their advisors to form a Dissertation Committee. Students should complete the Dissertation Committee Worksheet and submit it to the Epidemiology Academic Program Manager in the Epidemiology Student Services Office. The Academic Program Manager will complete the Rackham online Dissertation Committee form, the Graduate Chair will approve/deny the request, and then student will receive an e-mail, from Rackham, once it has been approved.
  4. Research Prospectus Defense/Preliminary Exam
    Once the Dissertation Committee has been established, students should make arrangements for the Research Prospectus Defense, also known as the Preliminary Exam. Students must be registered for courses the semester the Research Prospectus Defense/Preliminary Exam meeting takes place. Students should complete the Prospectus Defense Scheduling Form. Reserve a room for your defense.


    At the end of the Research Prospectus Defense/Preliminary Exam meeting, students who successfully pass should have their Dissertation Committee sign the Preliminary Examination Form. Students should submit the signed and completed Preliminary Examination Form to the Epidemiology Academic Program Manager in the Student Services Office.

    Rackham Candidacy Deadlines list the very last day all the Candidacy paperwork must be submitted to Rackham, not submitted to the Epidemiology Student Services Office. These are hard deadlines.

  5. Dissertation Defense 
    Two weeks before your final dissertation oral defense, please complete the Dissertation Defense Announcement form. The Epidemiology will publicize your event.