PhD Dissertation
The final program requirement is the completion of a doctoral dissertation reporting original research conducted by the student. The first formal step in the dissertation process is a written proposal that includes a comprehensive literature review, theoretical discussion, and the method for the proposed research. The proposal is written sometime during the third year and must be completed prior to a proposal meeting. Students must request the formation of a dissertation committee before the start of their fourth year. The committee consists of four faculty members, one of whom is the student's adviser and one of whom comes from outside the social area. The dissertation committee meets to conduct an oral proposal examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. This proposal oral must take place no later than September 15 of the fourth year. All other degree requirements must be completed before the oral examination may take place. Students are expected to conduct original dissertation research during their fourth year. Writing of the dissertation takes place during spring and summer of the student's fourth year. The final dissertation oral examination must be completed by August 1, at the end of the student's fourth year.
