An Overview of the Dissertation Process

Please read the complete Student Guide to the Dissertation Process ( 2011).

Please read the complete CRP Dissertation Binding Guide.

If you started your dissertation classes (not your regular classes) before 2008 Fall 2, there is a different Guide to the dissertation process. Please contact your faculty advisor for a copy.

The highest-level steps are:

• Selecting and organizing your dissertation committee
• Selecting a dissertation topic (work with your committee chair)
• Writing your proposal and orally defending it to the committee
• Completing the IRB requirements (before starting any human research)
• See separate section in menu to left
• Researching, writing, and more writing/rewriting
• Orally defending your dissertation
• Last edits, binding, and other details (including graduation)
• See separate section in menu to left

All this work normally takes 4 sessions, 12 credit hours, one and one-third years. This is the minimum requirement. Many candidates require more time and can enroll in more dissertation classes as needed. Note, however, that there are time limits and credit hour limits on obtaining your degree. These can be found in the Annual University Catalog.

Forms

The forms you will need are contained in the Guide. Major milestones are documented by forms, copies of which which will go into your permanent record.

• Petition for Establishing Dissertation Committee (establish candidacy)
• Appendix A of the Guide
• Outside Chair or Committee Member
• Appendix B of the Guide
• Dissertation Proposal Review (acceptance & cover sheet)
• Appendix C of the Guide
• Attach a copy to the IRB application
• Dissertation Approval (successful oral defense)
• Appendix F of the Guide
• Complete Dissertation Approval (final bound copies to the library)
• Appendix D of the Guide

NOTE: Procedures change over time and these reflect what was current information when last updated. If you have any questions, please contact your faculty advisor or committee chair.