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Structured phD programme in psychology

Campus der Universität Bielefeld
© Universität Bielefeld

Procedure and steps (regular registration)

  • The doctoral candidate has a supervisor and topic (Attention: The doctoral committee does not arrange topics!)
  • The doctoral candidate and supervisor conclude a supervision agreement. This must include a note stating whether the doctoral candidate will participate in the structured PhD programme of the Department of Psychology (Supervision agreement with note = confirmation of the supervisor(s) to take over the supervision of the doctorate within the structured PhD programme)
  • The doctoral candidate and supervisor plan the selection and use of the offerings in the Structured PhD programme. The planning is recorded in the form "Planning doctoral programme" . When planning, we recommend initially assuming a programme duration of 3 years. We also recommend planning at structural level. This means that the planning document does not yet have to include any specific activities. Instead, the four qualification areas should be studied in detail and a decision made as to which elements from which areas should be completed (you can find an example here). Moving on, the programme offer can then be scanned for suitable concrete activities. The planning may also be changed in the course of the process according to needs and requirements (see step 4). Our recommendations for crediting are helpful for planning.

 

 

  • The doctoral candidate registers as a doctoral candidate at the Student Office by submitting the enrolment form and other documents (please contact the Student Office for information).
  • The doctoral committee is not responsible during the processing of the doctoral project, unless there is a change of supervisor or difficulties in the supervisory relationship.
  • Implementation of the planning defined in step 1 by "translating" it into concrete activities from the doctoral programme and self-generated activities (at other locations and departments). The planning may be adapted during the course of participation (e.g. participation in a thematically appropriate summer school not previously planned)
  • Original certificates of participation or other comparable evidence are required as proof of academic achievements within the framework of the doctoral programme. Activities that do not have the character of an event (e.g. participation in publications, own advisory activities for other participants in the doctoral programme) must be recorded in the template " Proof of further activities in the doctoral programme", stating the point in time or timespan, and countersigned by the supervisor. Self-organized exchange and consultation activities with other programme participants must be documented in the document "Proof of networking activities".

After completing the dissertation and achieving at least 18 credit points in the doctoral programme within the provisions of the resolution of the Doctoral Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science dated July 4, 2024 (English version coming soon), the doctoral procedure continues in the following steps:

  • Application by the doctoral candidate for the transcript of the doctoral programme in psychology at Bielefeld University to the programme coordinator Ruth Reinardy
  • Verification of the evidence by the programme coordinator and subsequent issuing of the transcript (processing time approx. 4 weeks). 
  • Application by the doctoral candidate to open the procedure (form "Opening doctoral procedure" in accordance with the valid doctoral regulations upon registration: PromoO 01.08.2011 or PromoO 17.10.2016, German versions are binding) and submission of the doctoral thesis. In addition to the opening application with attachments, 5 print copies of the doctoral thesis including an abstract and a digital version must be submitted to the doctoral committee (secretary's office Christine Schröder) (the abstract can also be integrated into the doctoral thesis).
  • The appointment of examiners by the Chair of the Doctoral Committee (usually following a proposal by the doctoral candidate)
  • Request for expert opinion (deadline for submitting the expert opinion is 2 months from the date of submission)
  • After receiving the reviews, the doctoral candidate can comment on them, common practice is the waiver of the statement. The statement or waiver must be submitted in writing (by email) to the doctoral committee (secretary's office Christine Schröder, contact: see above).
  • Faculty public display of the expert opinions (deadline 3 weeks)
  • After the display period has expired, the oral examination may take the form of a disputation or colloquium
  • Doctoral candidate coordinates date for disputation or colloquium with examination committee
  • After the oral examination, the doctoral candidate receives written notification of the grade from the doctoral committee
     

The doctoral committee/chair of the doctoral committee Prof. Dr. Fries (Christine Schröder's office) is responsible for any queries regarding the above procedural steps.

If the disputation is successfully completed, the entire doctoral process is transferred over to the Examination Office Psychology. Ms. Schäfer from the Examinations Office will contact the doctoral candidate.

  • Publication of the doctoral thesis by the doctoral candidate (single or cumulative)
  • Assistance from the University Library with electronic publication (Ms. Weingarten)
  • As soon as the proof of publication has been submitted to the Examination Office, the certificates are presented to the doctoral candidate at the Examination Office
  • Archiving of the file

The Examination Office Psychology is responsible for any queries regarding step 6.

Here you will find all the steps in the procedure summarized in one document. For lateral entrants, the procedure is summarized here.

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