Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from The student's department. The 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. The committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Faculty member from outside the department.
Advisor/Committee Information
If any member decides to withdraw from the committee, the student shall notify the chair of the dissertation committee and the Director of the PHD program.
The student is responsible to find a replacement, in consultation with his or her chair. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case he or she may petition the Director of the PHDBA program for a review. Once review of the facts and circumstances is completed, the Director will rule on the student's progress. If the Director rules that the student is not capable of completing the dissertation, the student will be dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to SBM's Senior Associate Dean. If the student is dismissed, he or she may appeal to the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of the student's dissertation research area.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
The subject areas will be determined, in advance, by the faculty of the department.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The preliminary examination should be taken when the student has completed the preliminary coursework for the examination.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The members of the student's Dissertation Advisory committee determine the questions for the preliminary examination.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
The Department Committee will evaluate the examination. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
The student must answer every question during the examination in order to be evaluated. The evaluators look for (a) a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas, (b) a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; and (c) an ability to write technical prose.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Doctoral Dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of his or her primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated, uphold the ethics and standards of the field, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business, and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consists of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem.
The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after completing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process will be established.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to express verbally his or her research question, methodological approach, 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
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward the appropriate forms to the student.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.
