Rackham Transitional Support for Change of Advisors

Effective advising is an essential element for doctoral student success. Nevertheless, on occasion, a change in a doctoral student’s dissertation advisor may be necessary due to a variety of factors, including a shift in intellectual interests or research methods, a change in needs or expectations, an advisor’s departure from the university, or an unresolved academic or professional issue that impacts the advising relationship.

To the extent possible, Rackham recommends that doctoral students and their faculty advisors make use of existing resources, like those developed by the Mentoring Others Results in Excellence (MORE) Committee and Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services (GSPCS), to provide support as they navigate resolution of these issues, which are a normal aspect of doctoral education.

If a change of advisor becomes necessary, doctoral programs have the primary responsibility for supporting graduate students as they engage in the change of advisor process, including the provision of funding consistent with the program’s offer of admission, policy for good academic standing, and Rackham’s academic policy regarding maintenance of funding during periods of probation (Section 3.5.2.4). All doctoral programs are prepared to provide this support and will have published procedures available in their program handbooks by the beginning of winter term 2025.

In addition, under certain circumstances—including cases involving harassment, abuse, or other forms of extreme harm—the graduate school should be consulted so that the support that students receive during the change of advisor process is consistent with Rackham expectations for timely resolution and transition funding. Transition funding under these circumstances is made in partnership with the doctoral program and in response to the evaluation of a Rackham committee constituted for that purpose.

For more information, or for questions about transition support for change of advisor, please contact the director of Rackham’s GSPCS team.