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Key Terms

Initiative One-Pager

This document outlines the objective, long-term goals, and key terms of the AAU PhD Education Initiative.

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The AAU PhD Education Initiative actively works to reorient the educational environment so that it is more student-centered, placing greater emphasis on students as individuals with a full range of educational ambitions and professional goals. The Initiative takes a systemic approach to change and aims to foster the full inclusion of current and prospective doctoral students from diverse backgrounds.

During the initial phase of the Initiative, a pilot group of eight member universities, representing 32 academic departments, will implement reforms within STEM, social sciences, arts, and humanities PhD programs to make the wide array of PhD career pathways more visible, valued, and viable for all students.

Explore more fully the Initiative's six key terms below.

Students

Student-Centered

Reorient the educational environment to prioritize students as individuals with diverse educational and professional interests, needs, and challenges.
Visible

Visible

Full range of career pathways of PhD alumni are known and made transparent to institutions, departments, faculty, current and prospective students, and the campus community.
Valued Star

Valued

Department cultures and structures ensure that students will feel supported as they explore the full range of career options.
Plant with Roots

Viable

Institutional and departmental resources are available and accessible to help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enter careers of choice.
Arrows winding

Career Pathways

Support the full range of careers both within and beyond academia.
Diverse Students

For All Students

Foster the full inclusion of current and prospective doctoral students from diverse backgrounds.