Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The Dissertation Advising Committee oversees the student's doctoral research. The Committee is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members: two members, including the Chair, must be from the Health Studies Department. Committee membership is approved by the Ph.D. Program Director. The Committee Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of his or her academic progress.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee consists of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the Health Studies Department. The Outside Examiner should possess expertise in the study area and be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation.
Advisor/Committee Information
If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the Ph.D. Program Director and registered with the Graduate Administrative Assistant and the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
This mandatory examination tests the student's breadth and depth of knowledge related to core required courses and to his or her area of specialization. The examination evaluates the student's ability to apply theory, concepts, and research methods to practical problems in health studies.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
Subject areas covered in the preliminary exams include the essential content in core courses (research methods; statistical analysis; health behavior theory, history and philosophy; and bioethics). As well, the student's mastery of cognate areas of specialization may be included.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
To be admitted to this examination, a student must register for one credit of HS 799, have completed all or most coursework and must have removed all grades of "I" or "NR". Students must meet with their advisor by the second week of the semester in which they plan to take the examination in order to review their eligibility and make appropriate plans.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The process of preparing the preliminary exam questions is overseen by the Program Examination Coordinator, in consultation with the student’s Advisory Committee.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
The Comprehensive Examination Committee includes a minimum of three graduate faculty who assess the content of the examination. Each member votes independently to pass or fail the student.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must independently judge the exam to be a pass. No single faculty member makes the decision on whether a student passes or fails an examination. In instances where the student fails one or more examination questions, a member of the faculty must provide oral or written feedback to the student identifying areas of failure and providing suggestions for remediation. A student who fails one part may retake that part; if two or more parts are failed, the entire examination must be retaken. A student may attempt the Preliminary Examination, in whole or in part, no more than twice.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Through registration in HS 799, students work with the Ph.D. Program Examination Coordinator to prepare for the Preliminary Examinations. The Coordinator sets expectations related to exam content, process and format, sets exam schedules, and administers the exams. The exams are given in November, March, and August, and may consist of written and/or oral portions. Normally, two or more days are needed to complete the exams.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Doctoral Dissertation should be an original, theory-based, empirical study intended to make a significant contribution to the field. It should expand existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's mastery of theory and research methods, particularly within his/her area of specialization. The research should be rigorous, while upholding the ethics and standards of the field. It is expected that the study will be prepared for publication in a professional journal.
Philosophy of the Proposal
In most cases, dissertation proposals are very similar to what constitutes the first three chapters of the dissertation. Minimally, a proposal should contain: A statement of purpose, detailing the need for the study; Research questions and/or hypotheses; A review of relevant literature, placing the proposed study in a theoretical context; A detailed presentation of the methods to be; A proposed timeline for completing study phases.
In the preparation of the proposal, the most common practice is for the student and the dissertation chairperson to develop an initial draft of the proposal. This draft is circulated among the members of the Committee for feedback. The Advisory Committee must officially meet to discuss and approve or disapprove the proposal and indicate so by signing the proposal cover sheet.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Examining Committee evaluates the student's ability to describe and defend his or her research approach, specific questions/hypotheses, methodologies, primary findings, and implications. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
Dissertation Defense Scheduling
Candidates preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Administrative Assistant at least 15 days before the defense is to be held. The Graduate Administrative Assistant will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, post public notice of the meeting, and forward the appropriate forms to the student.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Administrative Assistant has arranged the time, date, and room for the defense, the student must send a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall). The Graduate Administrative Assistant will post fliers announcing the defense.
