The type of thesis, choice of topic, and details of methodology are the joint responsibility of the student and the primary thesis adviser. The primary thesis adviser is determined by mutual consent between the adviser and the student and may or may not be the student’s faculty adviser.

The primary thesis adviser must have a primary or secondary faculty appointment at YSPH. Acceptable appointments are: (1) ladder faculty at the rank of assistant professor and above, and (2) non-ladder faculty at the rank of associate research scientist and above. Students must request approval for primary thesis advisers who have other types of non-ladder faculty appointments at YSPH (e.g., lecturer, instructor, etc.). To request approval, students need to provide the registrar with a copy of the primary thesis adviser’s CV along with the thesis adviser form for approval by the Committee on Academic Progress. Students unsure of whether someone has an appointment at YSPH should consult the comprehensive list of all faculty members, by department, at the front of the YSPH Bulletin.

The secondary thesis adviser should have a faculty appointment at YSPH, Yale University, or another outside academic institution. Students must request approval for secondary thesis advisers whose faculty appointment is outside of Yale or who do not have a faculty appointment at an academic institution. To request approval, students need to provide the registrar with a copy of the secondary thesis adviser’s CV along with the thesis adviser form for approval by the Committee on Academic Progress.