During the first semester of doctoral work, the Ph. D. program director, departmental graduate coordinator and/or departmental faculty member(s) serve as a temporary committee for the new doctoral student. This temporary committee guides the student’s initial decisions concerning required course selections, support courses, and potential assignment to teaching and research opportunities in the College of Design, Construction and Planning. By the end of the student's first year of equivalent full-time study, it is recommended that the student replace the temporary committee with a Supervisory Committee of no less than three members to advise them about course selections and a dissertation focus. When a dissertation focus is clear, the student completes the Supervisory Committee for a total of five members. The Supervisory Committee and chair must be approved by the College Ph. D. Program Director, Dean of the College of Design, Construction and Planning, and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.

The Supervisory Committee Chair must be a member of the Doctoral Research Faculty (DRF) in the College of Design, Construction and Planning. In addition, Graduate Research Faculty (GRF) from all departments across the College may serve on Ph. D. committees. One committee member (GRF or DRF) from a discipline outside the College of Design, Construction and Planning must be included. If the student is developing a minor track or a secondary focus of study, one member must represent the minor studies area.