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. One member must be from the Urban Education program. Other members, including the chair, may be from the list of CORE and Associate faculty members from across the university. 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, which is available in the office of Student Services.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examiniation 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 area outside of Urban Education. 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 coordiantor. To change a member, consult the advisor.
Preliminary Exam Description
The examination tests understanding and application of administrative principles and theory, all areas of Urban Education are presented on the examination.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
Theory, methods, and application of relevant theoretical, methodological, and application concepts in urban education.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
Part one should be taken after completing 18-21 credit hours. Part two is taken immediately following the completion of coursework.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
All Faculty members participate in writing questiions.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
Each Faculty member reads responses to items which he or she prepared or which are in his or her 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 given mid-semester.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Dissertation is an original piece of scholarship that makes a contribution to the field of Urban Education.
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) context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) a survey and review of literature which, though it may not be exhaustive, is at least sufficient to provide the reader with enough information to understand why the research is being conducted; (3) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and (4) a proposed timeline to complete the dissertation. The Dissertation advisory Comittee 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 evaluate the dissertation and the student's abilty to defend it. The 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 who are 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.
