The form of this work is determined in consultation with the research advisor and may be a standard dissertation, a collection of journal articles published in refereed journals with annotation, or a combination of the two. The dissertation is evaluated by a committee consisting of at least four faculty including the research advisor. Members are subject to the approval of the research adviser, the department chair, and the Graduate Board. Committee members from outside of Clark are allowed. The format of the dissertation must conform to standards set by the University.
Students defend their dissertation at a final examination.
A summary of the dissertation is presented at a departmental seminar. Afterwards the student is questioned further by members of the committee, who may suggest modifications to the dissertation. In such a case, students must pass the corresponding oral examination before the beginning of their second year at Clark. Failure to meet this requirement will result in loss of financial aid until the requirement is satisfied. The departmental requirements for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. are satisfied once a student has presented a satisfactory dissertation research proposal and has passed sixteen courses of graduate work of which at least eight were taken at Clark.