Page 18 - DISSERTATION AND THESIS HANDBOOK 2017 -2020

I. WHAT IS A DOCTORAL DISSERTATION?
A doctoral dissertation is a scholarly manuscript completed by a doctoral candidate. It is the
defining component of a doctoral education and should make a significant contribution to the
body of knowledge it addresses. A doctoral dissertation should expand existing knowledge
and demonstrate that the author understands and is capable of original research.

The dissertation is required of all students working towards completing a doctoral degree.
Students will observe and follow the policies in this handbook. Upon completion of the
dissertation, the Graduate School will grant permission for a candidate to defend the
dissertation through an oral examination. Following successful defense, a candidate will
complete any final revisions and submit the dissertation for binding and publication by
ProQuest/ UMI.

The doctoral dissertation process starts in the department in which a student will work with
his/her dissertation advisor and four members of the dissertation committee.The dissertation
committee members are responsible for guiding the student through the writing period of the
dissertation which will include the rewrites and changes that are synonymous with any
dissertation writing process. It is critically important that candidates understand that the
dissertation process is recursive. The committee under the guidance of the dissertation
advisor must make sure that the student‘s dissertation meets the proper standard before
submitting it to the Graduate School for defense approval,

All completed dissertations must be approved by the Dean of Graduate School before the
degree is conferred. The Dean of the Graduate School reserves the right to reject any
dissertation that does not demonstrate the following:

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