Doctoral Handbook
The Dissertation Process
The dissertation is the culmination of the doctoral program. As such, it must attest to a high degree of scholarly competence. The dissertation must report in accepted scholarly style an original investigation of a problem of significance in the major field of study. It must demonstrate that the candidate is capable of conducting, reporting and interpreting research and analyses that make a substantial contribution to knowledge in an area relating to educational theory and practice in curriculum and instruction.
After broad reading, coursework, and consultation with faculty, students identify a tentative dissertation topic. Preliminary exploration of this topic can productively be carried out in advanced seminars within students’ areas of specialization, or in departmental courses such as ETAP 890.
The Dissertation Committee
Each student selects a dissertation chair, who ordinarily must be a faculty member within the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. In consultation with the chair, the student selects two or more additional members of the dissertation committee. Students are strongly encouraged to include at least one committee member external to the Department. Any person who has received a doctoral degree may serve on the committee. Dissertation committee members from outside the University must be approved in advance by the ETAP faculty; this is usually done on the basis of a curriculum vita and a recommendation from the dissertation chair.
Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the Department faculty, and must conform to any other School of Education and University requirements. When all members of the committee have been selected and approved as necessary, the student must file An Appointment of Dissertation Committee form with the Department (Education 113) for submission to the School of Education Academic Council.
Dissertation Proposal
Students work with their dissertation committees to develop a formal dissertation proposal. This proposal must be approved by all members of the dissertation committee. After approval, it must be transmitted by the Department to the School of Education Academic Council.
Click to get Approval of Dissertation Proposal form.
Admission to Candidacy
A student whose dissertation proposal has been approved is eligible for Admission to Candidacy. Admission to candidacy requires:
| 1) |
satisfying the residency requirements; |
| 2) |
achieving a satisfactory record (B average) in courses and seminars; |
| 3) |
satisfactorily completing the Research Tool Examination; |
| 4) |
passing the Doctoral Qualifying Examination; |
| 5) |
receiving approval of the dissertation proposal; and |
| 6) |
completion of any other University requirements that may be in effect. Students must be admitted to candidacy at least one session, exclusive of a summer session, before the acceptance of their dissertation and the completion of all requirements for the doctoral degree. |
The completion of the University Recommendation
to Admit to Candidacy form must be initiated
by the student and prepared by a Department secretary
(Education 113). It must be signed by the advisor
and the Department chairperson and submitted to
the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Human Subjects Approval
Prior to collecting any data involving human subjects, but only after approval of the dissertation proposal, the research must also be approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board for research concerning human subjects. Instructions and forms for applying for Human Subjects approval are available from the website of the University of Office Research (http://www.albany.edu/researchcompliance/). The University also requires IRB certification for those seeking IRB approvals; instructions are available at the same website.
Dissertation Oral
When the dissertation is complete, the dissertation committee will conduct a final public oral examination and defense of the dissertation. Notice of the final oral shall be posted by the Department at least one week prior to the examination. To be accepted, the dissertation must be approved by a majority of the dissertation committee. This approval will be obtained by a formal discussion and vote of the dissertation committee. Dissertations which have been approved must be transmitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies by May 1 for degrees conferred in May, by August 1 for degrees conferred in August, and by December 1 for degrees conferred in December. Final copies of the dissertation, acceptable both in scholarship and literary quality, must be submitted along with standard transmittal forms to the Office of Graduate Studies in the format and number prescribed by the Office of Graduate Studies. (See Graduate Bulletin: GENERAL REGULATIONS GOVERNING SUBMISSION OF A DOCTORAL DISSERTATION)
Click to get Final Approval of Dissertation Form
Forms for the Dissertation Process
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