Doctorial Dissertation

THE PROSPECTUS

Students choose the topic for their dissertation and hence their prospectus in consultation with their advisor and (if desired) other faculty members.

The function of the prospectus is to aid candidates in planning their research for the Ph.D. dissertation by allowing the members of the dissertation committee to assess the feasibility of the topic, methodology, time plan, etc. It is a provisional document that does not determine research results or bind candidates to the approaches outlined in it. The prospectus is thus not a summary of findings but a project outline and work plan.

In order to be in good standing, students admitted to candidacy must submit a dissertation prospectus to the dissertation committee prior to the last day of classes in the second quarter of enrollment, including summers, after passing the candidacy examinations (Milestone 7). The dissertation committee may ask the student to clarify, rewrite, or otherwise change the prospectus prior to approval. They indicate their approval by signing the Prospectus Approval form, which is then submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee for final approval. The copy of the prospectus that is approved by the Graduate Studies Committee will be retained for the Department's files.

Structure of the prospectus

The prospectus should contain the following information:

• The preliminary title of the dissertation and the names of the dissertation committee members;
• A succinct, abstract-like statement of the topic (approximately 250 words);
• A discussion of the purpose of the research and its significance, including how it will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field (approximately 2-3 pages);
• A discussion of how the project relates to and differs from prior scholarship--in particular, recent works on the topic and related areas (approximately 2-3 pages);
• A discussion of the projected methodology, theoretical framework, and types of analyses to be used in the project;
• A discussion of the resources to be used in the project (approximately 2-3 pages);
• A provisional outline or plan of the dissertation (approximately one paragraph per chapter);
• A time plan for completion of the research and writing;
• An initial bibliography of primary and secondary sources, which should consist of approximately 36 titles or more.

THE DISSERTATION

VI.10.1 Time limits on the dissertation Students who do not complete all the requirements for the Ph.D. within five full calendar years relinquish candidacy. In that case, they may be re-admitted to candidacy with the permission of the advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. This permission should not be taken for granted; in order to receive it, students must provide what their advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee consider to be evidence of significant progress on the dissertation.

Students are re-admitted to candidacy by successfully passing a supplemental candidacy examination consisting of both a written and an oral examination. The examination committee will consist of the members of the dissertation committee plus a Graduate School representation.

In some cases, it is possible to petition for an extension of candidacy, thus obviating the supplemental candidacy examination. Please consult the Graduate Studies Committee Chair for further information.

Students who take supplemental candidacy examinations must complete all the requirements for the Ph.D. within two calendar years. The Graduate School does not permit retakes of the supplemental examination.

The defense (final oral examination)

The final oral examination is scheduled after the Graduate School receives the Draft Approval form, which must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the examination. It is the advisor's responsibility to submit the names of the final oral examination committee members (i.e., the dissertation committee) to the Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate School and to inform them of the date, time, and place of the final oral examination. The Graduate Studies Coordinator can assist the advisor in these tasks. Final oral examinations can be conducted by teleconferencing. See the Graduate Studies Committee Chair for further information.

Filing the dissertation

The final version of the dissertation, complete with the signatures of all the dissertation committee, must be filed with the Graduate School at least one week prior to Commencement in order for the student to receive the Ph.D. degree in the given quarter. Students filing after that deadline will receive their degrees in the following quarter. However, they do not have to pay fees for the following quarter if they file their dissertations by the End of Quarter deadline (the last business day prior to the first day of classes for the following quarter).