Candidacy and Dissertation

Earning a Ph.D. is a process involving several steps beyond completion of the required coursework and the written comprehensive examination taken during a two-day period.

Admission to Candidacy

Upon passing the comprehensive examination and verification that all coursework and other requirements have been satisfied, admission to candidacy status allows the candidate to formally begin the dissertation.

Research Proposal and Oral Defense of Said Proposal

These are the first steps in the dissertation process and must be completed prior to proceeding with the dissertation. The research proposal outlines the questions for investigation, presents a review of the research literature, and presents the methodology for data collection and analysis. The oral defense is a formal presentation to the candidate’s dissertation committee. At that time, the members of the dissertation committee must approve the proposal before the actual study can begin.

Dissertation

This is a written thesis which adds substantively to the theory and / or practice in Curriculum and Instruction.

Students are required to complete a dissertation that demonstrates originality, creativity, and scholarship in the field of curriculum and instruction. Students who complete all the requirements for the Ph.D. degree will be properly equipped to lead and promote educational change in policy, organizations, and teacher education. After completion of the six dissertation credits, students must continually register for one to three (1-3) credits per semester until they have finished the dissertation and met all the requirements for the degree.

Oral Defense of the Dissertation

The defense consists of a public presentation of the dissertation results at which members of the Dissertation Committee and others are given the opportunity to ask questions before approving or disapproving the dissertation.

Time Limitations

Requirements, including the dissertation, must be completed by the end of eight (8) calendar years beginning with the date the student first registers as a student for the Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.