Special Education

Doctoral Program

Dissertation

Dissertation Prospectus and Defense

A dissertation prospectus is a written proposal consisting of a statement of a critical problem, supportive literature review, and methodology for studying this problem. The prospectus must be presented to and defended in front of the advisory committee. The proposal must be approved by the major professor before distribution to committee members. The committee must receive this proposal at least two weeks before the scheduled oral presentation and defense.

Dissertation Approval and Defense

When the major professor is satisfied with the completed dissertation, he/she will certify that it has his/her approval and is ready to be read. The major professor will then have the student distribute copies of the dissertation to the remaining members of the advisory committee, schedule a final oral defense, and ask the Graduate Coordinator to notify the Graduate School. Subsequently, the Graduate School will announce the time and place of the defense of the dissertation to the University community. The committee members will have two weeks to read and evaluate the completed dissertation.

The defense of the dissertation will be chaired by the student's major professor. Four of the five members of the advisory committee must approve the student's dissertation and defense and must certify their approval in writing. The results of the defense of the dissertation must be reported to the Graduate School at least one week prior to graduation.

The dissertation bears the course number SPE 930D. Students must register for a minimum of 15 hours of dissertation over two consecutive semesters. They may register for a maximum of 50 hours of such credit depending upon the amount of work required to complete their research. Instructions for typing and preparing the dissertation may be obtained from the Graduate School. (Thesis and dissertations: Student guide to preparation and processing, 1992). The student should check with the Graduate School in the semester he/she is writing to assure that the most recent guide book is being used.