committee rules

gistfile1.txt

copied directly from the PhD policy and procedure memorandum at JHSPH

PRELIMINARY ORAL EXAM:
The committee shall consist of five voting members. A minimum of three departments of the University, 
at least two being from the School of Public Health, must be represented. Not more than three members 
of the student’s department can serve, and one of these must be the thesis advisor. The primary 
appointment of faculty members determines whether they are considered inside or outside the department. 
Advisors, however, are considered inside examiners even if their appointment is outside of the department 
sponsoring the candidate. The senior faculty member outside the student’s major department will normally 
serve as chair and must hold the rank of Full or Associate Professor and be reviewed and approved by an 
associate dean for academic affairs. One adjunct faculty or one scientist track faculty may serve on the 
committee, but may not serve as the chair or the advisor.

Two alternates, one inside and one outside the department, will also be designated. Each must have a
current appointment as Assistant Professor or higher in a JHU department or program. If one of the 
officially appointed members of the committee fails to appear on the date fixed for the examination, the 
previously approved alternate must be prepared to discharge the responsibility of the absent individual. 
A preliminary oral examination may not be held with fewer than five officially approved faculty members 
in the room. The advisor must be among the members present; an alternate may not serve for the advisor.

THESIS READERS:
An associate dean responsible for academic affairs shall, upon recommendation of the student’s Department 
Chair, approve a committee of four readers, including the student’s thesis advisor, who serves as a 
departmental reader. The readers should be at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. A minimum of 
three departments of the University, two being from the School of Public Health, must be represented.
Two readers must be from the student’s Department; however, with the approval of the Committee on Academic 
Standards, the Department may nominate an individual from outside the Department to replace a departmental 
reader. At least one reader must have neither a primary nor joint appointment in the student’s Department.

The senior faculty member outside the student’s Department will normally serve as chair and must hold the 
rank of Full or Associate Professor. The primary appointment of faculty members determines whether they are 
considered inside or outside the department. Advisors, however, are considered inside examiners even if 
their appointment is outside of the department sponsoring the candidate. An associate dean responsible for 
academic affairs will appoint the chair. One adjunct or scientist track faculty member may serve on the 
committee, but may not serve as chair or thesis advisor. The committee of thesis readers may be increased 
to five voting members, provided that the conditions stated above are satisfied.