Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The doctoral advisory committee consists of a minimum of three graduate faculty members. Two of these faculty members, including the chairperson, must be from the Educational Administration program. The third member must be from one of the other programs in the College or University. Dissertation Advisory Committees that differ from this rule must approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Education and by the Dean of the Graduate School. The doctoral advisory committee oversees all aspects of the student's dissertation, from the proposal to the oral defense. Complete details about the entire dissertation process are available in the College of Education Dissertation Handbook that is available from the Office of Student Services.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examination Committee consists of the three members of the Advisory Committee, plus two additional faculty members. One of these additional faculty members must be from a program outside of Educational Administration. In addition, the College's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies will assign one of the members of the Examining committee. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense.
Advisor/Committee Information
To change the dissertation advisor, consult with the program co-ordiantor. To change a member, consult with the advisor.
Preliminary Exam Description
The examinations tests understanding and application of administrative principles and theory. All areas of Educational Administration are presented in the examination.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
The exam consists of vignettes, essay questions, and cases.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The examination is to be taken during the final semester of course work.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
All faculty members participate in writing questions.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
Each faculty member reads responses to items which they prepared or are in their areas of expertise. An item may be scored "outstanding", "satisfactory" or "fail".
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
As a group the faculty review the student's scores and determine the final rating for his/her examination.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
The examination is offered on two consecutive Saturdays at about mid of the spring semester. The student must submit a formal application for the examination to the academic advisor.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The dissertation is an original piece of schloarship that makes a contribution to the field of Educational Administration. The methodology may incorporate quantitative and/or qualitative approachs.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. Minimally, the proposal should contain (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) survey and review of literature which, though may not be exhausitive, is at least sufficient to provide the reader with enough information to understand why research is being conducted; (3) detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and (4) a proposed timeline to complete the dissertation. The Dissertation Advisory Committee must intially approve the students' proposal. In addition, all proposals from students in the College of Education must be approved by the College's proposal review Committee.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Dissertation Examining Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation at the conclusion of the oral defense. The outcome of the defense is determined by a majority vote.
Dissertation Defense Scheduling
Students preparing to defend their dissertation must confirm a date and time with the dissertation examining committee. Notification of this date and time must then be submitted on the appropriate College form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies no less than three weeks prior to the oral defense. This notification will then be sent to the Graduate School and posted in the Office of Student Services.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
The announcement of the oral defense will be sent to the Graduate School by the Associate Dean no less than 10 days prior to the defense. A copy of this announcement will be sent to each member of the Examining Committee
and will be posted on the bulletin board in the Office of Student Services.
