Residence Requirement and Research in Industrial Laboratories

The term "residence" indicates that the student is "at home" intellectually with the faculty community. The student is expected to associate with the George Mason faculty for at least two full academic years. The advisory committee determines the equivalent of two academic years of effort at George Mason. The basis for residency is an effort to complete the basic or core study area requirements of the comprehensive examinations, to complete the advanced areas of study and the associated advanced emphasis portions of the comprehensive examinations, and to prepare a dissertation proposal that defines a definitive research contribution.

Student research in industrial and government laboratories is encouraged to the extent that these facilities support quality independent research by the doctoral student. The greater Washington area is home for the largest group of information technology professionals in the world, many of whom have made definitive contributions to research. Area professionals with outstanding credentials and interests in information technology are solicited as visiting industrial professors. They may serve on doctoral advisory committees and, where permitted by available time and interests, direct doctoral dissertations.