PhD Programs
SCAI PhD student Information Board
SCAI offers three full-time PhD degree programs, each designed to cultivate independent scholars capable of generating original, substantive contributions to knowledge within a specific discipline through rigorous research and advanced theoretical and methodological expertise.
Everything SCAI, All in One Place: Resources, Policies & Deadlines
- Elective Courses
While the majority of elective courses are developed and delivered by SCAI, students may also take approved electives from other Schools. Specific academic requirements for each program are detailed within the corresponding degree sections. - Academic Handbook
The Academic Handbook provides a complete list of all required and elective courses that students must take throughout their academic journey, including recommended study schedules, course descriptions, and academic policies - Academic Progression
Important: Minimum required grades indicated in the recommended study plans refer to the expected grades necessary for academic progression within a major, particularly in relation to prerequisite requirements. In cases of transfer between majors, acceptable passing grades may vary depending on the entry requirements of the target major.
GENERAL NOTES FOR PHD STUDENTS:
Essential rules and standards governing academic performance, probation, and pathways to timely degree completion.
- PhD students must keep a GPA and CGPA no less than B- or 2,67 on a 4-point scale in the program to be in Good Academic Standing.
- General conditions for a Good Academic Standing can be found in NU’s Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Programs document.
- PhD students must normally complete all degree requirements within 4 years (extension - up to 6 years).
- Students unable to meet graduation requirements by the end of the last academic period of their final program year are subject to submission of a Deferral of Degree Form.
- By the end of the 1st year you must identify and set Supervisory Committee and thesis topic.
- PhD students are required to maintain registration in every academic period. Students not maintaining continuous registration are subject to dismissal.
- Thesis Proposal Defense is scheduled in the end of the 3rd-semester.
- Cohort 2022 onwards- at least two GTA assignments, cohorts 2019-2021 - at least one GTA assignment, cohorts prior to 2019 - no GTA assignment.
- Starting from the second year of PhD program all PhD students must have Progress Review Committee meeting in the end of the Spring semester to review the annual progress in their research.
- Thesis defense in last semester (Turnitin < 20%).
Graduation with Honors: Graduate students will receive "red" diploma, if he/she meets one of the following criteria:
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) – a graduate assistantship assignment that is provided to a PhD student via mentored teaching and teaching-related activities which support the NU’s mission as well as his or her graduate education.
PhD Graduate Summer Research Assistantship (GSRA) – a graduate assistantship assignment that may be provided in summer semester to allow PhD students to progress research appropriate to their thesis topic.
- Completed academic record equals to 4.0 CGPA - "Distinction"
- Ranked in the top 10% of the students of each Program (calculated after excluding student(s) eligible for the category "Distinction") based on his/her completed academic records. "Graduated with Honors"
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) – a graduate assistantship assignment that is provided to a PhD student via mentored teaching and teaching-related activities which support the NU’s mission as well as his or her graduate education.
- Cohort 2022 onwards- at least two GTA assignments, cohorts 2019-2021 - at least one GTA assignment, cohorts prior to 2019 - no GTA assignment
- GTA is compulsory during the 1st semester
- GTA assignments provide practical learning opportunities that should typically require up to 10h/week
- Application Process - Apply online via the website
- have a good academic standing
- not to be on the academic probation
- not be involved in any paid project
PhD Graduate Summer Research Assistantship (GSRA) – a graduate assistantship assignment that may be provided in summer semester to allow PhD students to progress research appropriate to their thesis topic.
- GSRA assignments allow PhD students to progress research appropriate to their thesis topic during the summer semester and may include non-research responsibilities not exceeding 5 h/week as assigned by the Dean
- GSRA is assigned only during only the Summer term
- have a good academic standing
- not to be on the academic probation
- not be involved in any paid project
SCAI provides an online Document Request Form to facilitate the efficient preparation of official school documents for students. Through this form, students may request various documents, including but not limited to:
- Official outgoing letters
- Confirmation of expected graduation date
- Letters addressed to external organizations and institution
- All documents are issued on the official School letterhead and signed by the Dean. Processing typically takes 1–3 working days from the date of submission.
Expenses – All direct expenses necessary for the implementation and completion of the Project. These may include materials, components, fieldwork, or other academic requirements.
Responsibility for Arranging Funding – The Manager for Academic and Student Affairs of the respective program is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the funding process for Project-related expenses on behalf of the School.
Students who meet the following criteria may apply for payment of the expenses:
Responsibility for Arranging Funding – The Manager for Academic and Student Affairs of the respective program is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the funding process for Project-related expenses on behalf of the School.
Students who meet the following criteria may apply for payment of the expenses:
- – Have active status in the Program and are registered in a course with a Project component;
- – Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University;
- – PhD students only: must not be receiving support from other funded research grants.
- Option 1 - Advance payment to Student;
- Option 2 - Reimbursement of Project expenses to Student based on the originals of supporting documents;
- Option 3 - Direct purchase by the School.
- All information regarding the Regulations on Arranging Students’ Project Expenses can be found at the following sources: click here.