Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The Doctoral Advisory Committee must include at least three graduate faculty members from Temple University. Two of
these three, including the chair, must be from the student's Graduate Program. One of these three may not be from the student's
Graduate Program. (In cases where a faculty member holds membership in more than one Graduate Program, the Director of
Graduate Studies will determine whether this faculty member shall be considered inside or outside the student's Graduate
Program.) The Doctoral Advisory Committee may be expanded to include other Temple Presidential faculty (from inside or outside the
department) and/or doctorally prepared experts from outside the University, provided that a majority of the members of the
committee are members of Temple's Graduate Faculty. The Dissertation Advising Committee must be approved by the Chairman of the Department.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense.
The Dissertation Examination Committee must include at least three graduate faculty members from Temple University. Two of
these three, including the chair, must be from the student's Graduate Program. One of these three may not be from the student's
Graduate Program. (In cases where a faculty member holds membership in more than one Graduate Program, the Director of
Graduate Studies will determine whether this faculty member shall be considered inside or outside the student's Graduate
Program.) The Doctoral Advisory Committee may be expanded to include other Temple Presidential faculty (from inside or outside the
department) and/or doctorally prepared experts from outside the University, provided that a majority of the members of the
committee are members of Temple's Graduate Faculty.
Advisor/Committee Information
If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the department's Chairman and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge in specialized areas of Psychology. The preliminary examination should be modeled after published literature reviews in the field and should be evaluated by the
criteria applied to reviews that are submitted for publication to scholarly journals. The examination evaluates the student's ability to apply specific research foci to anticipated, problems in Psychology. The examination will be defended orally following an evaluation of the written document.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
The subject areas will be determined, in advance, by the student and the Dissertation Advisory Committee.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The preliminary examination is generally completed by the end of the third year of study.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
The Dissertation Advisory 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 demonstrate a high level of oran and written competency in reviewing, synthesizing, and evaluating an important topic in the field of Psychology
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee Chairperson and notify all members of the student's training program.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Doctoral Dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field of Psychology. 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 standard of the field, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of Psychology, and be prepared for publication in a professional 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 Dissertation Advisory Committee will evaluate and approve the proposal or send it back to the student for appropriate modifications
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 is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward to the student the appropriate forms.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.
