Students are encouraged to consult with faculty members in their chosen areas as soon as possible. They must give at least a month's notice if they intend to take an exam. Faculty members will discuss strategies for preparation with interested students and provide examples of the types of questions that students should anticipate. Back to top Back to Programs Dissertation Soon after the third semester in the Ph.D. program, students are expected to prepare an outline of the dissertation they wish to undertake. Students are encouraged to explore dissertation ideas with any member of the department faculty and with faculty members in other departments or outside scholars.
Students finally defend their proposal and completed dissertation.
The doctoral dissertation should be a contribution to the existing body of knowledge in the discipline. The findings are presented in a book-length report, and the student's goal should be to produce a work of publishable quality.