A multi-authored dissertation is not allowable. Ownership of the research contained in the dissertation must be cleared before the project is approved at the prospectus stage. The final year of the student's program should properly center on the requirements of the dissertation. The form is approved by the student's dissertation committee and the department head of the department which offers the degree. A copy of the prospectus is forwarded to the Graduate School for the dean's approval.
Students have seven years to complete all requirements for the doctoral degree.
This period begins with the end of the semester during which the student was admitted to doctoral study and was completing work toward meeting the requirements for the degree. Credit earned after acceptance as a doctoral applicant may not be more than seven years old at the time the degree is conferred, except when, on the recommendation of an adviser, up to 10 credits previously earned at Eastern Michigan University may be specified for revalidation. The student's doctoral adviser also may serve as the chair of the dissertation committee and, in this role, represents the department in assisting the student in planning a program of study and research. The adviser also has the responsibility for assuring that the student meets degree requirements and, through the approval process, signs the Plan of Study, recommends candidacy, guides the student's re search, approves the dissertation prospectus, serves on the comprehensive qualifying examination committee, and certifies to the Graduate School that the degree requirements have been fulfilled. The dissertation must be presented to the dissertation committee at least two weeks prior to the scheduled oral presentation and dissertation defense.