Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
Program follows graduate school guidelines.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
Program follows graduate school guidelines.
Advisor/Committee Information
Student submits request to department chair, who decides under consultation with committee.
Preliminary Exam Description
Preliminary examinations assess theoretical and empirical knowledge and their application to the student's interest area.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
Examination areas are: primary theoretical concentration area; secondary theoretical concentration area; methodology; cognate area. Students write for 12 hours, of which up to 6 may be take-home.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
At completion of coursework.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The student and the full committee meet, agree on the number of hours allocated to each area, and agree on general focus of questions. Individual committee members submit formal questions to committee chair.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
All committee members evaluate all written responses. Possible evaluations are strong pass, pass, weak pass, fail for each question. Each committee member reports evaluations to committee chair. Those evaluations are used to help the student prepare for the oral defense. Final determination of pass or fail is made following the oral defense by committee consesnsus.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
Diagnostic and conceptual competence in areas of examination; writing competence.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Non-take-home questions are proctored by a faculty member. The examination requires 12 hours which may be spread over one week.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The dissertation is an original study that makes a significant and publishable contribution to the field. It should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the theoretical and empirical literature of the field, and should be of sound and rigorous methodology.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The proposal should demonstrate that the student has arrived at a significant and investigable problem, and that s/he has the necessary knowledge and skills to investigate it successfully.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
Original research of quality appropriate for publication in a first-tier national journal.
Dissertation Defense Scheduling
The defense is two hours in length.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
Graduate school guidelines are followed. Notice is given through postings, email and listserv announcements.
