2.1.3 Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee is responsible for overseeing and supporting the student’s progress through all phases of the dissertation process. Its primary roles and responsibilities include:
- Monitoring Progress after transitioning to Candidacy: The Committee will track the student’s progress throughout the candidacy phase by corresponding or meeting with the student at least once per semester. These meetings serve to monitor progress, review milestones, and ensure timely advancement toward the dissertation.
- Providing Ongoing Feedback: The Committee will review and provide constructive feedback on the student’s research plans, outlines, drafts, and dissertation documents throughout the process.
- Prospectus Review and Approval: The Committee is responsible for reviewing all materials prepared in advance of the prospectus defense meeting, providing feedback to strengthen the proposed research, and reviewing and approving the final dissertation plan resulting from the prospectus meeting.
- Determining Readiness to Defend: At least two months prior to the anticipated defense date, the Committee will evaluate the student’s overall progress and the quality of dissertation work to determine readiness to defend. The student must receive Committee approval before scheduling the defense.
- Reviewing Dissertation Documents: The Committee will review all written dissertation chapters and provide detailed feedback leading up to the defense.
- Participation in the Dissertation Defense: The Committee will participate in the dissertation defense and collectively determine whether the student has successfully met all dissertation requirements.