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Dissertation Process

Following approval of the membership of the Dissertation Committee by the Executive Committee, the dissertation process proceeds as follows:

 

  1. The student, in consultation with their Research Mentor, prepares a Prospectus document that will essentially comprise the initial draft of Chapter 1 (see Dissertation Format below) and a detailed description of the methods that will be used to complete all the research being proposed for the three studies that will comprise the dissertation. It is expected that the student will already have been pursuing some of this research prior to the prospectus stage, and that the results of this work would be included in the prospectus document. The prospectus document should be completed and approved in the prospectus meeting as soon as possible following successful completion of the Qualifying Examination (typically within one or two semesters).
  2. The student distributes the prospectus document to their Dissertation Committee. Then the Chair of the Dissertation Committee schedules a “Prospectus Meeting” of the entire Committee (typically a 3-hour block) to occur at least two weeks after the distribution of the prospectus document.
  3. The prospectus meeting provides an opportunity for the student to receive feedback about both conceptual and methodological issues involved in the proposed research prior to completing the studies. 
  4. At the Prospectus Meeting the student gives an oral presentation based on the prospectus document, and answers questions raised by the Committee about the proposed work. Typically, the presentation is 30-40 minutes, followed by ample time for questions and discussion, ending with closed committee meeting to collate feedback and deliberate on prospectus hearing outcome.
  5. The Committee decides if modifications need to be made to the proposed work and documents needed changes as requirements for the dissertation research to proceed. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee is responsible for reporting the outcome of the prospectus meeting via the Exam Result Report Form, which will distribute copies of the report to the Executive Committee. Prospectus Hearing outcome options are: Pass with no contingencies, Conditional pass with contingencies, or Fail. Students who receive a Conditional pass with contingencies will receive written communication from the committee Chair detailing the required contingencies and due date. Should the student require an extension on the deadline to submit contingency requirements, the student must submit a petition to the dissertation committee detailing the rationale for an extension and a proposed alternative due date. The dissertation committee chair will respond in writing to note if the petition is approved or denied. Students who fail the prospectus meeting will receive written communication from the committee chair detailing the rationale for the decision. Students can petition the Executive Committee for permission to reschedule an additional prospectus meeting.  Students are expected to complete the prospectus process as soon as possible after passing the Qualifying Examination – typically within the next semester during the third year in the program. 
  6. Once the Prospectus is approved and the dissertation is underway the student must:
    1. Meet at least once per term as a group with the Executive Committee to briefly describe and discuss their progress. A written summary (not to exceed 500 words) of the progress made since the last group meeting must be provided to the Program Director and Associate Director via the Dissertation Progress Meeting Summary Submission Form prior to the meeting. 
    2. Provide a formal update every term to their dissertation committee that includes a report of progress made since the last update, problems encountered, planned changes/modifications to the research plan (must be approved by the committee), and plans for the next term. It is strongly recommended that this be done in person with the committee. A detailed written report to the committee can be substituted when a face-to-face meeting with the committee is not possible.
  7. The student completes all the work that is required by their Dissertation Committee including the submission of 3 manuscripts for publication – this process is expected to take two-three years. The dissertation document is then completed and distributed to the Committee at least two weeks before the scheduled oral defense.
  8. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee schedules the oral defense via the Dissertation Defense Plan Form, which the Program Manager uses to announce the defense to the IHP community. The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the 3 manuscripts have been submitted for publication prior to the Dissertation Defense. The defense includes a public and private session. The public session is open to the community and consists of an oral presentation (typically 30-40 minutes) about the dissertation by the student and a brief period for open questions (typically 20 minutes). The Committee Chair should begin the public session by introducing the student and conveying the session plan, reminding the committee to save questions for the private session. The private session occurs after the public session and involves the student fielding questions from the Dissertation Committee in a closed meeting (typically 60-90 minutes).
  9. After the oral defense is completed, the Dissertation Committee holds a private session to decide by majority vote if the student has successfully fulfilled the dissertation requirement, or if additional steps must be taken. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee is responsible for communicating the outcome of the oral defense via the Exam Result Report Form, which distributes copies of the report to the Executive Committee.