Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
Three members of the graduate faculty constitute the Dissertation Advising Committee. Usually a school psychology faculty member chairs the committee. At least one faculty member from outside the program must be on the committee. The student selects his committee in consultation with the selected chairperson. The doctoral advisory committee oversees all aspects of the student’s dissertation from the proposal to the oral defense. Complete details about the dissertation process are available in the College of Education Dissertation Handbook that is available from the Department of Psychological Studies in Education and the Dean’s office.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examination Committee is composed of the three members of the Advisory Committee plus two additional faculty members. One must be from a program outside of School Psychology. One member may be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Study. The Dissertation Examining Committee Evaluates the student’s dissertation and oral defense.
Advisor/Committee Information
A student may petition for a change of chairperson or member of his Dissertation Advisory Committee. This petition must be approved by the Chairperson of the Department of Psychological Studies in Education and by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Study.
Preliminary Exam Description
The preliminary examination is an essay examination that covers key areas of psychology and school psychology to determine the student’s competence and ability to explain key concepts. The examination entails two full days of examinations in 4 areas.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
(1) Scientific Psychology; (2)Consultation and Intervention; (3) Diagnosis and Remediation; (4) Role & Function and Ethical and Legal Considerations
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The preliminary examination is taken after completion of all academic subjects except for the internship.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
All school psychology faculty participate in writing the exam. The faculty submit questions. The professor who teaches a particular section edits the questions and submits them to the faculty at a meeting where the 4 areas of the exam are constructed. There are usually essay questions in each of the 4 sections.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
A different faculty member grades each area. If there is a failing grade, other faculty must also evaluate that section. A failing grade would require multiple faculty evaluation.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
A passing grade in all 4 areas is required to pass the exam.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Each section of the examination requires two hours. The examination is given at a time determined by the College of Education and the exam is proctored by a College representative. The exam takes two weekends.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The doctoral dissertation is an original piece of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field of School Psychology. A majority of the dissertations in the program are empirical, typically using statistical analysis as the means of completing the data collection process. Other types of scholarship (e.g. those utilizing more qualitative approaches, or employing theoretical or philosophical analysis of educational issues) may be acceptable. A successful dissertation will be publishable in a refereed journal.
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) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) a survey and review of the literature in a sufficient degree to provide the reader with enough detailed information to understand why the research is being conducted; (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and (d) a proposed timeline for completing the dissertation. The dissertation advisory committee must approve the student’s proposal. In addition the proposal must also be approved in the College of Education by the College Proposal Review Committtee.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Dissertation Examining Committee will evaluate the dissertation and the student’s ability to defend it. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation. The outcome of the defense is determined by 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 3 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 by the Associate Dean to the Graduate School no less than 10 days prior to the defense. A copy of the 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 of the College of Education.
