Additional Department Policies
Changing Advisors
A student may change research advisors at any time in the program. Typical reasons for such changes are shifts in research interests away from the advisor's area or difficulties in advisor-student communication. The process of changing advisors will generally involve:
- soliciting a new advisor (typically done confidentially and with advice from the departmental ombudsperson),
- being accepted by that individual,
- determining how to discuss the desire for a change with the prior advisor,
- giving the prior advisor sufficient opportunity to discuss the situation (and potentially ways to address any concerns leading to the desire to change), and
- determining with the prior advisor and the Department what should be done to finish work in the former group and provide a smooth transition, similar to what would be expected leaving other types of jobs.
Students who are considering a change of advisors are encouraged to seek confidential advice on the details of these steps by consulting the Associate Head. Note that prospective advisors should generally keep discussions of change of advisor confidential until the student’s decision is final and the Department Head has approved of the change.