3.1.6 Candidacy Phase: Prospectus and Dissertation Defenses
Once the student has passed the Qualifying Examination, they advance to doctoral candidacy. Doctoral candidates should continue to use their previous credentials and should not use “PhD(c)” in signatures, presentations, or publications.
During the Candidacy Phase, students complete their dissertation requirements, which center on the design, execution, and dissemination of an original research project that advances knowledge in their area of study. The dissertation must represent independent, novel research conducted during the doctoral program and make a substantive contribution to the field.
The written dissertation is organized into five chapters, three of which are manuscripts prepared for submission to peer-reviewed journals. The remaining chapters include an introduction and an integrative discussion. Together, the three manuscripts should represent a cohesive and complete body of work that will be defended during the dissertation defense and should be in publishable condition. At least two of the manuscripts must be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals prior to the defense. The manuscripts do not need to be accepted for publication before the defense.
The Candidacy Phase, overseen by the Dissertation Committee (see 2.1.3), includes two major milestones: the Prospectus Defense and the Dissertation Defense.
Following advancement to candidacy, students complete a dissertation prospectus (proposal) and defend it before their committee. The Prospectus Defense should occur as soon as possible after successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, typically within one semester and no later than the end of the third year of study. Any delay beyond this timeline requires a petition to the Executive Committee. The purpose of the Prospectus Defense is for the candidate to present and defend the dissertation proposal to their Dissertation Committee. This includes a comprehensive review of the proposed work, as well as any completed components to date. The Committee evaluates the overall coherence and comprehensiveness of the dissertation plan, the quality of completed work, and the rigor, feasibility, and alignment of the proposed research with the overarching goals of the dissertation. The Prospectus Defense provides an opportunity for scholarly discussion and critical feedback, and formal approval of the dissertation plan is required for the candidate to proceed.
The Dissertation Defense represents the culmination of the doctoral research process and includes both the oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation and the approval of the written dissertation document by the Dissertation Committee. Dissertation Defenses are open to the public and the PhD-RS community, and all current PhD-RS students are expected to attend.
The Dissertation Committee (2.1.3) is responsible for overseeing the student’s completion of the dissertation process including approving the prospectus (guiding decisions about which manuscripts to include in the dissertation), periodic review of progress, and final approval/acceptance of the dissertation following the oral defense.