Dissertation Requirements

Doctoral students should demonstrate the competencies associated with a traditional dissertation including:

• The ability to analyze, synthesize, interpret and discuss the implications of existing literature on a well-defined question
• The ability to formulate, pose and justify a researchable problem or issue
• The ability to develop an appropriate research design and methodology
• The ability to interpret, analyze, synthesize and discuss the assumptions, contributions and limitations of existing as well as one’s own research

Continuous registration is required until the written dissertation is complete. Students who have been inactive for three consecutive quarters and are not on an approved leave will be considered withdrawn from the doctoral program. Students who wish to be reinstated must file a re-entry form with the Office of Admissions and Records and submit a written petition to the Academic Policies Committee stating the reason for their inactivity.