(Done after Grad School approval for Plan of Study, General Exam, and Dissertation Proposal)

Upon passing the General Examination, the student enters the dissertation phase. The dissertation involves original research that contributes new knowledge to the student's area of concentration. A faculty advisory committee supervises dissertation work. Before preparation of the dissertation is well underway, the student writes a prospectus in consultation with the advisory committee. When the committee and the Graduate School approve the dissertation prospectus, the student is admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The last step in obtaining the degree is to pass the Final Oral Examination where the candidate formally defends the dissertation.

Students should also pay close attention to the relevant sections of the Graduate Catalog in this matter.

Note: Any research conducted involving human participants must have prior approval by the University Institutional Review Board.

Dissertation Advisory Committee
The student must form a dissertation advisory committee that is made up of a minimum of three faculty members; namely, the major advisor and two or more associate advisors. The major advisor must be a member of the doctoral faculty (i.e., approved by the Graduate School to serve as a major advisor) in the student's area of concentration. Of the associate advisors, at least one must be from outside the student's area of concentration. The spirit of the outside member is to leverage new insights and perspectives. Therefore, such a member should be truly an "outsider" and not simply a "nominal outsider". The dissertation shall be under the immediate and continuous supervision of the advisory committee and shall meet all standards prescribed by the committee and the Graduate School.