PhD Program Update

Dec 2009

The Department of Space Studies and the Department of Aviation, within the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, are proposing a joint Ph.D. in Aerospace Studies. The program requires the approval of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) and involves two stages. The Stage 1 includes a short, one page proposal for consideration of the development of the full Stage 2 proposal. Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 proposals need to be vetted by various department, college, and university committees and administrators, and approved by the SBHE. Though typically, each of the proposal stages take about an academic year to be approved, the thorough process ensures the long term viability and quality of the program. Once the Stage 1 is approved, the two departments will be given two years to come up with a detailed Stage 2 proposal.

The Stage 1 proposal was submitted early in the fall semester of 2009 and is making its way through the various committees. We expect the SBHE approval for Stage 1 to be obtained sometime in spring 2010. We will then be given two more years to submit the Stage 2 proposal. Our hope is to submit the stage 2 proposal sometime in 2011.

Given the process involved, it is difficult at this time to say when exactly the Ph.D. in Aerospace Studies will start. But we will endeavor to move it forward at all times, and keep you updated periodically.

Santhosh Seelan

Professor and Graduate Director