The Dissertation
Proposal
After passing the General Exam, you are expected to build on the critical
review of literature to develop a dissertation proposal. The proposal
should be formally presented to the Supervisory Committee at a scheduled proposal
defense presentation. (This is not scheduled through the graduate
school, however, like the general and final exams.) The Supervisory
Committee then certifies that you are prepared to undertake the proposal research
and that it meets the program requirements for scholarship.
The
Dissertation Defense/Final Exam
The final exam/dissertation defense is a two-hour presentation to the Supervisory
Committee of the dissertation. To schedule it, you follow the same graduate
school protocol
as you did for the general exam. The following are frequently asked
questions:
- Do I need to register
in the quarter that I defend? What if I defend in the summer?
Yes, you need to register for at least 2 credits in the quarter
that you defend. This is true for summer quarter as well.
- Who is my GSR
?
Your GSR is the same person that you had for your GSR at your
general exam, and his/her attendance is required at your final exam.
Therefore, in scheduling your final exam, it is important to choose
a time that this person can attend.
- How and when do I establish
my Reading
Committee?
Usually several months before scheduling your Final Examination,
the Dean of the Graduate School is asked to designate a reading committee
consisting of at least three voting members of your supervisory committee.
The reading committee is appointed to read and approve the dissertation.
You do this by letting Jean Rogers (jeanp@u.washington.edu)
know which three members of your supervisory committee you would like to appoint.
- How far in advance do
I need to do my paperwork to schedule my Final Exam?
No later than three weeks before the exam
date (just like the general exam).
- How many faculty members
need to attend it?
At least four members of the committee (including
the Chair and GSR) must be present at both the General and Final Examinations.
- How much time do I have
to turn in my dissertation?
You have 60 days after the dissertation defense to turn in your
dissertation. The Style manual, formatting issues, and procedures for
submitting your dissertation to the graduate school are addressed on the graduate
school web site.
- When do I get my diploma?
It usually takes four months from quarter
that you graduate before the diploma is mailed to you. To have this
expedited, contact the Graduation and Academic Records Office (264 Schmitz,
543-1803, ugradoff@u.washington.edu).
For further information about about any of these topics, please don't hesitate to contact:
Jean Rogers, jeanp@u.washington.edu Coordinator Interdisciplinary Programs University of Washington The Graduate School Box 35 2192 Seattle, WA 98195- 2192 (206) 543-6398.