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Ph.D. Student Handbook



Definition of Doctoral-Student Status As defined by the UWM Graduate School, you do not become a doctoral student solely by virtue of admission to a program leading to a doctoral degree. To attain doctoral-student status, you must possess an appropriate master's degree prior to admission or complete the equivalent master's degree coursework at UWM.

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Program of Study You must select advisors in your major and minor fields of study and submit a Program of Study to the PhD Program Committee before the end of your second semester (excluding summer sessions) of enrollment in the PhD Program. See a listing of potential advisors by major field: PhD Program Faculty and PhD Supporting Faculty.

Background PreparationYou are expected to have a basic level of proficiency at the undergraduate or graduate level equivalent to one semester each of coursework in calculus, statistics, and linear algebra. Applicants lacking in the above course background may be admitted on the condition that they complete equivalent courses to remove these deficiencies. Specific courses from the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business or from departments outside the School will be suggested to satisfy preparation in these areas. Credits earned in these courses do not count toward the degree. You may choose to demonstrate competence in these background fields by passing an appropriate written equivalency examination in lieu of taking coursework.

If you have completed equivalent coursework with a grade of C or better at other accredited colleges or universities before being admitted into the School's PhD Program, you must provide the name of the University, the course number, course title, number of credits, and grade you received in each course on your Program of Study. Also prepare appropriate supporting materials (course outlines, course descriptions, etc.) to submit to the PhD Program Committee.

Common Core Preparation
This component consists of courses that give students general preparation in a common core of knowledge. You will be required to validate exposure to functional business areas: accounting, finance, information systems, marketing and management. Methods of validation include (a) prior coursework, (b) equivalency exam, or (c) supervised readings. If you have completed equivalent coursework with a grade of C or better at other accredited colleges or universities before being admitted into the School's PhD Program, you must provide the name of the University, the course number, course title, number of credits, and grade you received in each course on your Program of Study. Also prepare appropriate supporting materials (course outlines, course descriptions, etc.) to submit to the PhD Program Committee. If you choose option (a), please indicate the selected readings and the name of the faculty member who will supervise your readings. All students are also required to complete, during their first Fall semester of study, Bus Adm 900 “Doctoral Orientation to Teaching and Research” (1 credit). The purpose of this seven-week course is to help you learn about the process, roles, and expectations of academic teaching and research.

Research Methods ComponentIn this component the student is exposed to the process of scientific inquiry and methodological tools for conducting research. All students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of research methods courses from those listed below.

Effective in Fall 2005, students must choose at least two Module I courses to satisfy the Research Methods requirement.


Module I - 3 Credit Courses

  • Bus Adm 918 Doctoral Seminar in Behavioral Research Methods
  • Bus Adm 995 Advanced Multivariate Techniques in Management Research
  • Bus Adm 995 Doctoral Seminar in Decision Sciences
  • Econ 806 Mathematical Economics
  • Econ 835 Econometric Methods II
  • Econ 915 Seminar in Econometric Methods (topic)
  • Ed Psych 824 Advanced Experimental Design & Analysis
  • Ed Psych 826 Analysis of Cross-Classified Categorical Data
  • Ed Psych 829 Methods of Scale Construction & Multidimensional Scaling
  • Math Stat 861 Decision Theory (I)
  • Math Stat 862 Decision Theory (II)
Module II - 3 Credit Courses
  • Bus Adm 714 Multivariate Techniques in Management Research
  • Bus Adm 754 Statistical Analysis
  • Econ 735 Econometric Methods
  • Ed Psych 821 Psychometric Theory & Practice
  • Ed Psych 823 Structural Equation Modeling
  • Ed Psych 825 Multivariate Methods
  • Ind Eng 765 Operations Research Methods
* Other Specialized Methods Courses from schools/departments outside of the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business (with PhD Program Committee approval)

Students should note that some of these courses have pre-requisites. Courses taken in preparation for courses on this list will not be counted towards completion of the Research Methodology requirement.


Major and Minor Fields of StudyA minimum of 12 graduate credits of work at UWM's Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business is required in the major field. The majors are Finance, Marketing, Management Information Systems, Organizations and Strategic Management, and Production and Operations Management. A minimum of 9 graduate credits at UWM's Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business is required in the minor field. Additional coursework in both the major and minor fields may be necessary depending upon your prior coursework.

The first level graduate courses (i.e., Bus Mgmt 705, 706, 707, 708, 711) are generally not counted toward the major and minor course requirements. Also, students are expected to have at least three 900-level courses in the major field and at least two 900-level courses (preferably doctoral seminars) in the minor field.

If at some point a student decides to switch majors within the PhD program, they must do so PRIOR to the first attempt of preliminary exams in the original major. A switch in majors requires a new application, a positive vote from the new major area faculty, and PhD Program Committee approval. There is no guarantee that the switch will be approved by the area faculty or by the PhD Program Committee. The student must also seek a new major professor willing to work with him/her on their research and dissertation.

A Management Science minor within the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business (e.g., Finance, Marketing, Management Information Systems, Organizations and Strategic Management, Production and Operations Management, Taxation, International Business, or Business Statistics) requires a minimum of 9 credits, including at least two courses at the 900-level (preferably doctoral seminars).A minimum grade point average of 3.33 in the minor coursework is also required.

A minor field of study can also be a related field chosen from outside the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business. The courses must be planned with your advisor in the minor field who must be a graduate, tenure-track faculty member. If a minor field outside the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business is chosen, the nature of the comprehensive preliminary examination or other requirements for the minor field will be decided by the concerned department. However, all minor field coursework must be approved by the PhD Program Committee.


Minimum Credit Requirements
Students admitted into the PhD Program with a master's degree must complete a minimum of 34 credits of graduate work at UWM as part of the doctoral Program of Study. Students admitted with a bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 54 credits of graduate work. These minima may include credits toward the doctoral dissertation with prior approval. Additional coursework in both the major and minor fields may be necessary depending upon your prior coursework.

Submission of Program of Study to PhD Program CommitteeYou must discuss your Program of Study with your major and minor program advisors and have it approved and signed by them. You then give it to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) for submission to the PhD Program Committee for their approval. Programs of study must be submitted to the PhD Program Committee before the end of your second semester (excluding summer sessions) of enrollment in the PhD Program.

The Committee may request revisions to your program. Any subsequent modifications to an approved Program of Study must also be approved by the PhD Program Committee. Program of Study Modification forms should be used to indicate changes to your original approved Program of Study. These forms can be obtained from, and should be returned to, Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) for submission to the PhD Program Committee. A doctoral student who does not file a Program of Study will not be eligible to take doctoral preliminary examinations.

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Research Paper Requirement A research paper requirement has been instituted for all doctoral students effective for those first enrolling in Fall 2005. This requirement, for first year students, is a first step in developing a research focus. Students must submit a paper by the end of their third semester, to be presented at a research seminar, conference, or at an on-campus seminar that includes at least two faculty members from their area.

If a student fails to complete the research paper requirement, he/she will be subject to dismissal from the doctoral program for lack of progress toward degree.

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Annual Review PhD students should maintain contact with the faculty. It is in your best interest to meet with your major advisor every semester to review coursework completed and to discuss your Program of Study. An annual review and evaluation of doctoral students will take place in all major fields effective 2005-06. Each student will be evaluated by area faculty and provided with important feed-back regarding their academic progress. Prior to preliminary exams, students will receive their feedback from their faculty advisor. After the successful completion of preliminary exams, students will receive feedback from the chair of their dissertation committee. See the flowchart summarizing the major steps during the course of the PhD program.

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Residency Requirement As a part of the minimum graduate credits which must be earned at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee beyond the master's degree, each PhD student must devote at least one continuous academic year to a graduate program of course work, research, and related activities. You must satisfy the Business School residency requirement before taking the comprehensive examinations.

The residency requirement can be met by completing at least 8 graduate credits in each of two consecutive semesters, exclusive of summer sessions OR six or more graduate credits in each of three consecutive semesters, exclusive of summer sessions. The Graduate School will check to see that you have fulfilled your residency requirement before granting permission to take comprehensive preliminary examinations.

Credits toward residency cannot be earned prior to award of the masters' degree or completion of masters' equivalent coursework. Please note that courses you audit do not count toward the residency requirement.

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Doctoral Preliminary Examinations Application for Doctoral Preliminary ExaminationsThe UWM Graduate School requires that you pass your preliminary exams within five years of initial enrollment in your doctoral program.

The Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business Graduate Assistant Renewal Policies state that “to be eligible for financial support in your fourth year at the doctoral level, you must have passed preliminary examinations by the end of your third spring semester and applied for dissertator status.”

In order to take preliminary examinations you must have completed all coursework in your major field and have completed all but one of your selected Research Methodology courses.

Examinations are given only twice a year. The first part of the exam is given two to three weeks before the beginning of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters; the second part of the exam is to be scheduled within ten working days of the first part. Examination committee members (including the chair) are chosen by the PhD Program Committee in early fall (for the January exam) and in early spring (for the August exam).

A doctoral student who applies to take comprehensive preliminary examinations in either August or January of a given year is required to complete both Part I and Part II of the examination within a given examination period, unless the student withdraws from the examination. Failure to take either part constitutes a failure on that part. Withdrawal must be from both parts of the examinations and must occur Part I is administered.

Students completing their minor requirements in schools other than the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business may or may not have to take minor-field examinations. Be sure to thoroughly discuss all requirements with your minor-field advisor.

You must formally apply to take your doctoral preliminary examinations. Applications for the examinations are available from the Graduate School (or via the above link). Fill out Section I of this application, obtain the signature of your major advisor (in Section II), and forward the form to Nance Gusavac. She will complete Section II, check to make sure you have completed all Business School requirements, and route the application to the Graduate School.


The Graduate School will review your file to determine your eligibility for the preliminary examinations. Coursework requirements as stated above must be completed, your residency requirement must be met, your record must be clear of all incompletes (including those in the minor field), and you must have at least a 3.000 cumulative grade point average.

If you are eligible, the Graduate School will return the application form to the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business.

During the semester that you are preparing for the doctoral preliminary exams, you may enroll for a minimum of 1 graduate credit and still be considered full time for financial aid or grant purposes. This status is available for one semester only, and does not fulfill residency requirements. Please see Nance Gusavac (Bus N418) to request this option. There are Graduate School justification forms that need to be completed.

Following the examination, the Examining Committee Members will report the results of your examination to the Graduate School.

Evaluation of the Doctoral Preliminary ExaminationsThe PhD major preliminary examination will consist of two parts:

Part I.

Duration: Five Hours
Format: Closed Book

In this part of the exam, students will be asked to answer 5 of 6 questions. There may be one or more compulsory questions. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the subject area. The questions will be selected by the faculty of the area to test the breadth of the student's knowledge.

Part II.

Duration: Nine Hours
Format: Open Resources

This part of the exam will be scheduled within ten working days of Part I. The exam will be completed within a single day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition to open books and notes, students may use the library and computing resources, but they may not work in groups or consult with other people.

Prior to this exam, students will be asked to select a specialty area of research from a designated list provided by the PhD program faculty of their respective major field of study. Students may be given a set of reseach papers, data, or problems in their specialty area of research at the time of the examination. The exam questions, based on this material, will be designed to evaluate the student's research abilities and potential for individual research.

Both parts will be graded by the designated examination committee. The following scale will be used in assigning a single grade for each part of the exam: unconditional pass, marginal, or fail.

The final outcome of the exam will be determined as follows:

Individual Final Grades Final Exam Grades
Two unconditional pass grades
Unconditional pass
One unconditional pass grade and one marginal grade
Pass
One unconditional pass grade and one fail grade Fail (Retake the failed exam)
Two marginal grades
Pass or Fail depending on the required oral exam
One marginal grade and one fail grade
Fail (Retake the failed exam)
Two failed grades
Fail (Retake both parts)


The Oral exam is given when the student receives two marginal grades. Pass or Fail are the only two possible grades from an oral exam. The change of grade resulting from the oral exam on one or both of the marginal grades will determine the outcome of the exam according to the above classifications.

A failed exam must be retaken at the next regularly scheduled exam date. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program. No student will be allowed to take either of the written exams (part A or part B) more than twice.

The "Reporting System for Doctoral Preliminary Examinations" is used by the Examining Committee Members to report the results of your doctoral preliminary examination to the Graduate School.

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy
After you successfully complete the doctoral preliminary examinations in both major and, when required, minor areas, the Graduate School will send you a PhD-candidacy-confirmation letter.

Doctoral Dissertator StatusYou are also required to apply for dissertator status by completing an “Application for Doctoral Dissertator Status” form. This is done after you have successfully completed all coursework required by your Program of Study, successfully completed your doctoral preliminary examinations, and decided on a dissertation topic. You will be required to submit a brief summary of your dissertation topic to the Graduate School along with this application. Please work with Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) on the preparation and submission of this form.

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Dissertation Dissertator RegistrationStudents admitted to doctoral dissertator status must register each semester until their dissertations are submitted to the Graduate School. Students who have achieved dissertator status enroll at a special per-credit dissertator rate.

The continuous dissertator requirement can be met by enrolling in three credits of Bus Adm 997 Dissertation Research. It should be noted that if the Program of Study specifically includes Bus Adm 997 Dissertation Research, then the student should register for this course for the required number of credits prior to graduation.

Bus Adm 997 Dissertation Research is a special course in terms of grading: the faculty member supervising a student registered in Bus Adm 997 must assign a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade. You must fill out a form outlining your research plans. These plans are to be developed in consultation with your major advisor and he/she will be required to sign the form. A permission number is required to register for Bus Adm 997. You can obtain a permission number and "Reading and Research Form" from Nance Gusavac (N418). Please return the form to her for processing.

Once you become a dissertator, you may only register for 3 credits of Bus Adm 997 each semester. If you advisor recommends another course, then you must appeal to the graduate school to substitute that course in lieu of Bus Adm 997. You may obtain the Request for Exception form from Nance Gusavac.

ProposalA formal oral presentation of your PhD dissertation proposal is required. At least twelve working days prior to your proposal presentation, you should submit to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) a “Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Hearing Form.”

Return the “Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Hearing Form” with Section I filled out to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418). Please indicate separately the names of the faculty serving as members of your dissertation committee and the date and time of your proposal. An announcement of your proposal presentation must be circulated to faculty and PhD students at least two weeks prior to the actual presentation. This announcement will be distributed via email to all faculty and doctoral students. Five extra copies of your dissertation proposal and an electronic copy of your abstract should also be given to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) at the time you submit the application. Copies of the proposal will be made available to interested faculty members and students on a check-out basis.


The lower half of this form (to be signed after completion of the proposal presentation) requires the signatures of at least three qualified faculty members who are willing to serve as members of your dissertation committee. The dissertation-committee members should be members or supporting members of the PhD Program Faculty. The committee may include qualified faculty members from other departments within the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but the chair of the dissertation committee must be a PhD Program Faculty member in the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business. Members of the doctoral student's committee who are not a member of the UWM graduate faculty require Graduate School approval. Such appointments would be made on the basis of appropriate professional and academic credentials.

You can hold your proposal hearing before or after you achieve dissertator status. The dissertation plan and the committee members must be approved by the PhD Program Committee; any changes in dissertation plans or committee membership also require prior approval by the PhD Program Committee.

Doctoral Dissertator Defense (Final Oral Examination)When your dissertation research is completed to the satisfaction of your major professor, arrangements are made for its review by your entire dissertation committee.

An application for graduation (“Application for the Doctoral Dissertation Defense and Graduation”) should be filed with the Graduate School no later than the end of the second week of the semester or the eight-week summer session in which you plan to receive your degree. A graduation fee will be assessed of all degree candidates. Students cannot be cleared for graduation without payment of this fee. Students who notify the Graduate School in a timely fashion that they will not be graduating as intended may apply the fee toward the subsequent semester.

If you meet all eligibility requirements for graduation (have a 3.000 grade point average, have passed the comprehensive preliminary examinations, and have no outstanding incompletes), the Graduate School will send the application to the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business. The School will then schedule a final oral examination (dissertation defense). The final oral examination committee will be made up of five or more graduate faculty members, three of whom are on your dissertation committee.

The Graduate School has established a deadline date each semester (including summer sessions) for scheduling your defense and submitting the final unbound dissertation copies to the Graduate School. The dissertation and the signed warrant must be accepted by the published Graduate School dissertation deadline. Please contact Pat Hayes (414-229-6263) early in the semester to be sure that you meet these very important deadlines. If these deadlines are not met, the student must apply and graduate in the next semester.

You must also submit a copy of your dissertation to the Graduate School for review four weeks prior to the final oral examination (dissertation defense). The Graduate School checks to see that the proper format for dissertation preparation has been followed. Call Pat Hayes at 229-6263 for an appointment for a preliminary review. Dissertation format requirements and deadlines are published in Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Format Requirements .

This guide contains requirements and guidelines to make thesis or dissertation preparation and submission orderly and efficient while maintaining a style that is consistent for all theses and dissertations submitted at UWM.

An announcement of your dissertation defense must be circulated to faculty and PhD students at least two weeks prior to the actual final oral examination. This announcement will be distributed via email to all faculty and doctoral students. Five extra copies of your dissertation and a copy of your abstract on disk should also be given to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418). The abstract can also be submitted electronically. Copies of the dissertation will be made available to interested faculty members and students on a check-out basis.

At the conclusion of the dissertation defense, the committee may vote either pass or fail, or they may decide to defer. No absentee ballots are allowed.

The warrant (indicating a pass or fail) or the deferral form must be returned to the Graduate School within 10 working days of the defense or a deferral is automatically assigned. If the committee determines that you need more than 10 working days to complete revisions to your dissertation, the vote should be to defer. If the vote is to defer, a deferral form will be returned to the Graduate School within ten working days of the defense. Specific reasons for the deferral and the completion date required by your committee must be communicated in writing to you and to the Graduate School. You cannot graduate while in deferral status and you will be required to register for the next semester if the deferral is not changed to a Pass by the Graduate School deadline for submission of the dissertation. If the deferral status is not cleared by the required date of completion (up to a maximum of four months), the deferral lapses to a fail.

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Graduation Information Graduation Time LimitYou must complete all requirements for the doctoral degree within ten years from the date of initial enrollment in the program of doctoral study at UWM. This includes all coursework, the dissertation, and examinations required for the degree. Students who do not complete their doctoral degree in the 10 year time limit will be academically dismissed from the PhD Program by the UWM Graduate School.

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Registration Registration via Panther Access to Web Services (PAWS)Students register for classes using the online system, Panther Access to Web Services (PAWS). They receive an appointment letter indicating when to begin registration. Students can register anytime after their assigned start time. Information about registration, PAWS, tuition, deadlines, class times, and other administrative regulations can be found in the UWM Schedule/Timetable, published each semester, and also available online.

PAWS Pre-Registration Steps

  1. Students must be admitted and eligible to enroll.
  2. The earliest time and date students can enter the PAWS system to register is the assigned time indicated in the appointment letter. After this time students can reenter the system at any time.
  3. There can be no “holds” on a student’s record in order to register. All holds or service indicators must be cleared before registering on PAWS.
  4. If you are registering for a Bus Adm 997 or Bus Adm 999 course, you will need a permission number and must fill out a form outlining your research plans. These plans are to be developed in consultation with your major advisor and he/she will be required to sign the form. You can obtain a permission number and a "Reading and Research Form" from Nance Gusavac at 229-4542 or nance@uwm.edu. All 997 and 999 courses must be taken for 3 credits. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Late RegistrationLate registration takes place after the classes for a semester or summer session have begun. A $25 fee is assessed to students who register late. Students are able to register through the first two weeks of classes, however they are responsible for the same academic requirements as those who have been attending since the first day of class. The “add” deadline is published in each semester’s Registration information.


Changes in Registration (Adding/Dropping Classes)Changes can be made to a schedule any time after initial registration, using the PAWS system.

Once classes begin for the semester, students may continue to add and drop courses for two weeks on PAWS. However, if classes are full, PAWS will not allow them to register. Adding to full courses requires a registration or add form with the instructor’s signature and departmental stamp. Courses at the 700-Level or above have waiting lists that are generated by Closed Course Request forms which students complete online. Log into PAWS and go to the main menu. Click on "Academics" and then go to "Closed Section Interest Form". Students on the waiting lists have priority in adding classes. Courses may be added only during the first two weeks of classes by completing an Add/Drop form. A representative of the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business advising office must review all changes in Business Administration courses before stamping add/drop forms.

Unless a shorter deadline is established by a department and stated in the UWM Schedule of Classes, a student may drop courses with the written approval of the department through the end of the eighth week of classes, (Fall or Spring semester.) Written approval by the instructor is not required during the first eight weeks. A student attempting to drop courses after the eighth week may do so only for reasons of extraordinary circumstances not related to academic performance in the course.

In order to drop a course after the eighth week, a graduate student must submit a Request for Exception form (sample form) along with medical or employer documentation to the PhD Program Committee which forwards a recommendation to the Graduate School. Copies of this form are available from Nance Gusavac (BUS N418). The final decision regarding exceptions is made by the Graduate School.

All courses dropped after the fourth week of classes will remain on the student record and will be reflected on transcripts with a symbol of "W". Drops after the second week of class will carry a financial penalty. For courses that meet for less than the full academic semester (fall/spring terms) and for summer session courses, the above deadlines will be adjusted in proportion to the length of the course.

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Course Prerequisites Course prerequisites are established to insure that students have adequate background preparation for specific courses. In unusual circumstances, if the instructor believes that a student is capable of successfully completing a course without meeting specific course prerequisites, the instructor may support the student's appeal of the prerequisite to the PhD Program Committee. If the faculty member teaching the course is a part-time faculty member, support from a tenured or tenure-track faculty member must be included. Students lacking the prerequisites for a particular course can be administratively dropped from that course.

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Doctoral Independent Study PhD students often register for doctoral independent study courses (Bus Adm 999). The following guidelines have been adopted for independent study courses:

  1. Students must meet with the faculty member who will supervise the course to agree upon the following:
    —An outline of the specific reading or research to be undertaken, including a reading list
    —The methodology or study approach to be used
    —The project output (i.e. report, paper, presentation, etc.)
    —The grading plan
  2. The supervising faculty member must be a member of the PhD Program or Supporting Faculty.

Applications for doctoral independent study (Reading and Research Forms) containing the above information must be submitted to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) prior to enrollment in the course. All doctoral independent study courses must be added prior to the add deadline. The Associate Dean will review the Bus Adm 999 (and Bus Adm 997) proposal(s) and, if approved, a copy of the reading and research form will be sent to the student and faculty member supervising the course. These forms are available from Nance Gusavac (BUS N418).

To register for Bus Adm 999, you will need a permission number. You must indicate the name of the supervising faculty member when requesting this number. You can obtain a permission number by contacting Nance Gusavac at: nance@uwm.edu. She will also give you the Reading and Research Form to fill out and return for processing.

Permission numbers are only used PRIOR to the first day of class. After that date, you will be required to add Bus Adm 997 or Bus Adm 999 on an add/drop form, which also must be signed by the supervising faculty member and stamped by the department (BUS N297). It is best to get the permission number before the semester starts.

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Semester Course Load for "Full-Time" Status Graduate students must carry 8 or more credits for designation of "full-time student" status. However, some doctoral graduate assistants have slightly different requirements. Please see Nance Gusavac to be sure that you maintain minimum credit requirements if you have an assistantship. Also, doctoral dissertators have different credit requirements for full-time status (see Dissertator Registration above).

Doctoral students may carry a maximum of 12 credits per fall or spring semester. A graduate student wishing approval to enroll for more than 12 credits must make a written request to the UWM Graduate School. This appeal must be accompanied by Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business approval. All requests to take overloads will have to be approved by the PhD Program Committee. Final decisions on overloads are made by the UWM Graduate School Dean.

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Grading Degree candidates take most of their coursework on a graded basis. For these courses, a letter grade (A through F) is assigned. Each letter carries a specific number of grade points per credit. The scale of grades and points is as follows:

Grades Grade Points Rating
A 4.00 Excellent
A- 3.67 -
B+ 3.33 -
B 3.00 Good
B- 2.67 -
C+ 2.33 -
C 2.00 Fair
C- 1.67 -
D+ 1.33 -
D 1.00 Poor
D- 0.67 -
F+ 0.00 Fail
F 0.00 Fail


Bus Adm 997 is a special course in terms of grading: the faculty member supervising a student registered in Bus Adm 997 Doctoral Dissertation must assign a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade.

The cumulative of all grades earned at UWM composes your Grade Point Average (GPA). Graduate point averages are accumulated for both semester grades and overall grades. The grade point average is based upon UWM credits earned or attempted. In addition, UWM credits taken as "Audit" do not apply to the UWM GPA, nor do they meet graduation requirements. Remember that you can review final course grades on the PAWS system.

Continuation of Doctoral-Student Status Continuation of graduate status in the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business is at the discretion of the UWM Graduate School and the faculty of the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business. Graduate students are expected to earn grades of "B" or better in all courses attempted. A recommendation for cancellation of graduate status may result from unsatisfactory performance in course work. When a graduate student receives a B-, C+, C, or C- grade, a "grade point loss" (GPL) will be computed by the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business as follows:
  • If the student receives a B-, the grade point loss (GPL) is .33 per credit
  • If the student receives a C+, the grade point loss (GPL) is .67 per credit
  • If the student receives a C, the grade point loss (GPL) is 1.00 per credit
  • If the student receives a C-, the grade point loss (GPL) is 1.33 per credit

Cancellation of Graduate StatusThe rules for cancellation of graduate status are applied to a student's performance on all courses taken as a graduate student, including the background preparation and common core preparation courses:

  1. A recommendation for cancellation of graduate status will result during the first 18 credits of coursework if a student has a cumulative grade point loss (GPL) of 6.33 or more.
  2. A recommendation for cancellation of graduate status will result after the first 18 credits of coursework if a student's cumulative grade point average is not at least 3.000.
  3. A recommendation for cancellation of graduate status will result at any stage of a student's coursework if a D+, D, D-, F+ or F grade is earned in any course taken as a graduate student (including the background preparation and common core preparation courses).

Academic Warning StatementsIn addition to the above Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business requirements for continuation in the Graduate Program, the Graduate School monitors students' progress towards graduation. A graduate student will be placed on academic warning if any of the following conditions exist:

* A grade below a B.
* A semester graduate GPA below 3.0.
* A cumulative graduate GPA below 3.0.

The purpose of the "academic warning" is to remind students that less than "B" level grade performance is unsatisfactory since the Graduate School's minimum graduation requirement is a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all work taken for the graduate degree.

A student who has accumulated nine (9) or more graduate credits with a graduate cumulative GPA below 3.000 will receive a "Graduate Dean's OK Required" notation on their semester grade report and must obtain the approval of the PhD Program Committee and the Graduate School Dean in order to continue. To request permission to continue, a student must complete a Graduate School Appeal Form (sample document online) and submit it to Nance Gusavac, BUS N418. If the request is approved by the PhD Program Committee, a recommendation for continuation will be forwarded to the Graduate School. Students who are allowed to continue beyond their initial 9 or more credits must achieve a graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 within the next nine (9) graduate credits completed. If the 3.0 GPA is not achieved, the student will be canceled academically by the Graduate School.


Graduation Grade-Point Average RequirementsIn order to graduate, you must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 for all courses taken as a doctoral student, including the background and common core preparation course.

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Academic and Administrative Policies Teaching Assistant Renewal PolicySheldon B. Lubar School of Business doctoral students are eligible for a maximum of 5 years of financial support.(5th year is by appeal to the PhD Program Committee) Annual renewals are not automatic and are not guaranteed to any student. Please review the Graduate Assistant Renewal Policy carefully so you are aware of the basic requirements for continued support.

Incomplete PolicyAn "I" (incomplete) is assigned by the instructor if the student is unable to finish all the course requirements for the course during the original semester of enrollment. A grade of incomplete is appropriate only when the following conditions are present:

  1. The student has done satisfactory work in a substantial portion of the course requirements prior to grading time and provides the instructor with evidence of potential success for the remaining work.
  2. Extraordinary circumstances, not related to performance in the class, such as illness or family emergency, have prevented the student from finishing the course requirements on time.

An incomplete is not to be given to enable a student to do additional work to improve a grade.

The instructor may deny a request for an incomplete and assign a letter grade based on the work completed at that point. It is the student's responsibility to initiate a request for an incomplete. Reasons for requesting the incomplete must be acceptable to the instructor.

If approved, the instructor will indicate the conditions for the removal of the incomplete including the date for submitting all remaining work.

The student also is responsible for seeing that the incomplete is removed before the agreed deadline and that the instructor has reported the grade to the Graduate School. The instructor may change the "I" (incomplete) to a letter grade (including an "F") or to a "PI" (permanent incomplete) if the deadline for completion has not been met. If the instructor does not change the incomplete to a regular letter grade within one year from assigning the incomplete grade, the incomplete will be administratively recorded as a permanent incomplete ("PI"). (A "PI" is not computed into the grade point average.) This limitation prevails whether or not the student is enrolled. A "PI" symbol cannot be changed subsequently to a regular letter grade.

A student wishing credit in a course for which a "PI" has been recorded must register again and complete the designated requirements. A student may not register for a course in which an "I" remains on the transcript.

A student may graduate with a "PI" provided all degree requirements have been met. All incompletes ("I's") must be removed or changed to "PI's" before the student may graduate. A student may graduate with "PI's" on his/her record, but not with "I's".

Repeat PolicyGraduate students are allowed to repeat a course, only once, in which a grade of PI or a grade less than B- was earned. Both attempts remain on the student's permanent record and both are counted in the graduate grade point average (GPA) calculations and graduate grade point loss (GPL) calculations. The repeated course may be counted only once toward degree requirements. Repeating a course does not erase any previous grade point loss earned. Graduate students who are reinstated after receiving a D+ or lower grade must repeat courses in which a D+, D, D-, F+, or F was received because degree credits will not be granted for such grades.


Withdrawal PolicyWithdrawal is the formal termination of a student's registration for all courses in a given semester. Non-attendance does not mean that you have officially withdrawn from a course. Withdrawals are not accepted by telephone. You must complete a withdrawal form or send a letter by certified mail to give notice of withdrawal to the graduate school. Check the Schedule of Classes/Timetable for withdrawal deadlines and to determine the effect of withdrawal on your fees.

All students who withdraw after the first day of classes will automatically receive registration materials for the next semester. All students who withdraw prior to the first day of classes must file a re-entry application, except when withdrawing from the summer term.

PhD students who wish to withdraw before a semester begins must drop all courses on the PAWS system by the date indicated in the Schedule of Classes/Timetable each semester to avoid being charged for withdrawing. When dropping classes for withdrawal purposes on PAWS, please exit PAWS after completing the drops, and then re-enter to check your schedule to make sure it is blank. You should then write a brief letter to the Graduate School (with a copy to the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business) stating your intent to withdraw from classes (be sure to include your campus ID number), or complete a withdrawal form in Mitchell 261.

PhD students who wish to withdraw during the first eight weeks of a semester must complete a withdrawal form in the Graduate School, Mitchell 261, or send a letter of withdrawal to the Graduate School, P.O. Box 340, UWM, Milwaukee, WI 53201. The withdrawal becomes effective on the date the withdrawal notice is received. Again, withdrawals cannot be taken by telephone; if received by mail, the postmark date is used. This date determines the amount of fee-tuition that will be assessed. Check the Schedule of Classes/Timetable to determine the effect of withdrawal on fees.

PhD students who wish to withdraw after the eighth week of a semester may do so only for reasons of extraordinary circumstances not related to academic performance in their courses. In order to withdraw after the eighth week, the student must first obtain written approval from the instructor(s) and then file a written appeal with the PhD Program Committee including any relevant documentation. If the appeal is approved by the PhD Program Committee, a recommendation will then be forwarded to the Graduate School Dean, who will make the final decision. Only if the instructor(s), the PhD Program Committee, and the Graduate School approve will the withdrawal be permitted.

All courses from which a student withdraws after the 4th week of class during the regular semester will remain on the student’s permanent record and will be reflected on the transcript with the “W” (Withdrawal) symbol. W is not computed in a student’s grade point average.

Different guidelines pertain to summer sessions. Please consult the Schedule of Classes/Timetable for further information.

Academic MisconductStudent academic misconduct procedures are specified in Chapter UWS 14 and the UWM implementation provisions (Faculty Document 1686).

Academic misconduct is an act in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation, uses unauthorized materials or fabricated data in any academic exercise, forges or falsifies academic documents or records, intentionally impedes or damages the academic work of others, engages in conduct aimed at making false representation of a student’s academic performance, or assists other students in any of these acts.

Prohibited conduct includes:

  • Cheating on an examination;
  • Collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the stated rules of the course;
  • Submitting a paper or assignment as one’s own work when a part or all of the paper or assignment is the work of another;
  • Submitting a paper or assignment that contains ideas or research of others without appropriately identifying the source of those ideas;
  • Stealing examinations or course materials;
  • Submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course;
  • Tampering with the laboratory experiment or computer program of another student;
  • Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.

Appeal ProceduresYou may appeal an academic action to the PhD Program Committee. An appeal is a request for an exception to an established policy or rule. The content of each appeal is carefully reviewed in order to reach a decision. Appeals should be submitted in writing and addressed to the Chair of the PhD Program Committee. They should be submitted to Nance Gusavac (BUS N418). Sometimes appeals may also have to go to the Graduate School. Students will be notified in writing or via email of the decision regarding their appeal.

The Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business has also established procedures for student academic grievances. An example of a typical grievance is dissatisfaction with a grade received in a course. The academic grievance procedure is described below.

If a graduate student feels that a grievance exists:

Step 1
The student must discuss the grievance with the faculty member or administrator within 30 working days from the date of the action that prompted the grievance. If requested by the student, the faculty member or administrator shall provide the student with a written statement of the reason for the adverse decision.

Step 2
If the Step 1 discussion does not resolve the grievance the student, faculty member or administrator may file a Problem Report with Assistant Dean of Student Services Robert Ellis within 10 working days from the date of the Step 1 discussion. This report form is available in the Graduate Program Services Office (BUS N251), and the matter being grieved should be described as clearly as possible. Equally important is a clear, concise statement of the relief being sought. Supporting documents and relevant evidence in support of the grievant position should also be provided, if available. The Assistant Dean of Student Services will schedule a mediation meeting within 10 working days from the date the Problem Report is received. At the end of the mediation session, the Assistant Dean of Student Services will prepare a written summary and mail a copy to the parties involved. One copy is retained in the Official Grievance File.

Step 3
If dissatisfied with the result of the Step 2 mediation meeting, either involved party may request, within 10 working days from the date the Step 2 decision is communicated, that the Official Grievance File be transmitted to the School's Graduate Grievance Committee consisting of the Faculty Director of Masters (or Doctoral) Programs, the School's Investigating Officer, and the MBA (or MS) (or PhD) Committee Representative. The Grievance Committee will hear the grievance and issue a decision within 20 working days of the receipt of the file. After the decision, the Committee will prepare a written summary of the decision and mail a copy to the parties involved including the Associate Dean Academic Affairs, Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Programs and Student Services in the Graduate School. One copy will be placed in the Official Grievance File that will be returned to the Assistant Dean Student Services.

Step 4
If dissatisfied with the Step 3 decision, either party may appeal within 10 working days from the date of the notification of the Step 3 decision to the Graduate School Administration.

Note: Working-day limits are applicable only within the academic calendar year. Grievances arising or extending in time frames outside this calendar year may require additional days and will be handled as expeditiously as deemed possible, with the limit being 30 days at any step.

Affirmative Action/HarassmentThe University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution and does not discriminate in any of its education or employment practices, policies, or procedures on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or any other protected status recognized by Wisconsin or federal law. In further compliance with these laws and regulations, the University prohibits harassment and retaliation against complainants on any of these bases. Questions about the application of any of these policies may be directed to the appropriate admitting or employing office, or to the campus Office of Equity/Diversity Services, Mitchell Hall, Room 359.

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Miscellaneous PhD Information Email Addresses for Information DistributionSheldon B. Lubar School of Business seminar announcements; fellowship, scholarship and award information; PhD Program Committee agendas and minutes; new academic rules and regulations pertaining specifically to PhD students; etc. will be sent to you via email. Be sure to activate your UWM PantherLink email account and let Nance Gusavac know your ePantherID so she can add you to the doctoral student list. We only use UWM email accounts on this listserv so be sure to check this account or forward it to your regular email account. If you have any information you would like to have distributed to other doctoral students, please contact Nance Gusavac (BUS N418) .

Change of Address NotificationBe sure to notify the Graduate School and the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business of any changes in your address. You can change your address using the PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services) system.

Software (Microcomputer) UseUniversity policy and federal law prohibit the illegal duplication or use of computer software. There is no “fair use” exception for software. University Policy S-49.5 is reprinted below:

  1. The University does not condone the illegal duplication or use of software.
  2. The University legally licenses the use of software from many vendors and developers. It does not own this software or the related documentation. Unless specifically authorized by the vendor or developer, no one has a right to copy this software or documentation. Even a strict educational purpose is not reason for an exception.
  3. All employees (unclassified, classified, limited-term, student or contract temporary) shall use software only in accord with the applicable license agreement. Only software used in accord with the applicable licensing agreement shall be run on University equipment.
  4. Violations of this policy are to be reported to the supervisor/department chair or the dean/division head or the Division of Legal Affairs.
  5. According to U.S. Copyright law, illegal reproduction of software can be subject to civil damages of as much as $100,000 and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. University employees who make, acquire or use unauthorized copies of computer software shall be disciplined as appropriate under the circumstances. Such discipline may include termination in accordance with relevant and appropriate university procedures. Students may be subject to sanctions in accordance with Chapter UWS 17, Wis. Admin. Code (non academic discipline).
  6. All people using personally-owned software on university computers are required to maintain ownership documentation for that software at the site where the computer is normally located and to provide such documentation upon request.

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Miscellaneous Campus Information Computing FacilitiesThe instructional and research computing needs of students and faculty are met by a wide range of computing facilities. Three personal computer laboratories in Lubar Hall are available for business student use. These computer labs offer a wide variety of popular software as well as access to the central Unix system, the Library catalog, the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business “g drive,” and student class schedules and grades (via the PAWS online system). Students and faculty who have their own computers can access many of these systems from home. Research databases such as CRSP, Compustat, and Thomson Financial are available for use by doctoral students.

University Information Technology Services (UITS) offers a variety of computer facilities and services to assist faculty and students in their coursework and research. Each year they produce a Resource CD, available to both instructors and students. This CD contains a wide variety of useful software, including McAfee AntiVirus. The CD can be obtained from Faculty Services or from the computer labs, or from the 2nd Floor Bolton Hall UITS offices.

All students are assigned UWM PantherLink e-mail accounts when they are admitted to the university and eligible to register. This account provides access to electronic mail on the Internet and associated services such as FTP, Gopher, and the World Wide Web. A Unix system provides research tools for mathematics, statistics, and the sciences. The system is normally available for use 24 hours daily.

Additional services available from UITS are noncredit short courses on various topics (free or at a nominal charge); consulting assistance on computer problems by phone, e-mail, or in person; printed documentation; and discounts on the purchase of microcomputers and software. Most of these services are distributed from UITS's student support center on the second floor of Bolton Hall. UITS's main offices are located in Bolton Hall 574, phone (414) 229-4616.


You can find School of Business-specific technical information online.

This website houses the list of software supported by the Lubar School of Business, and a number of FAQs such as how to update files on the g drive from home.


Campus MapMost graduate business courses are held in the Lubar Hall. The campus map indicates a variety of campus parking lots as well as the location of other campus buildings. The Lubar Hall Parking Structure is open to all students after 3:30 pm on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday at very reasonable rates.

Academic CalendarThe academic calendar is available each semester online.

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Address/Telephone Directory Doctoral Program InformationSheldon B. Lubar School of Business
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O. Box 742
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-4542
uwmbusphd@uwm.edu

Graduate SchoolUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mitchell Hall 261
P.O. Box 340
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-4982
gradschool@uwm.edu


Center for International EducationInternational Student and Scholar Services
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2441 East Hartford Avenue
Garland Hall 138
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-4846
isss@uwm.edu

Bookstore, UWM Union: (414) 229-4201
Cashier’s Office, Mitchell Hall 285: (414) 229-4914
Child Care Center: (414) 229-5384
Financial Aid: (414) 229-4541
Fine Arts Box Office: (414) 229-4308
Health Service, Student: (414) 229-4716
Information, University Operator: (414) 229-1122
Library, Golda Meir: (414) 229-5868
Parking & Transit: (414) 229-5644
Police, emergency (on campus): 9-911
Police, non-emergency: (414) 229-4627
Klotsche Recreation Center: (414) 229-5287

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