Development of a Research Proposal

A student is encouraged to begin the development of their dissertation research area in conjunction with their advisor as early in their doctoral education as possible.

A dissertation proposal defense cannot be scheduled until after a student has formed a Doctoral Dissertation Committee.

The student is responsible for developing a dissertation proposal document under the supervision of their advisor and with the assistance of the dissertation committee members.

Dissertation Proposal Defense

In collaboration with their advisor, a student is responsible for preparing an abstract of their dissertation proposal of not more than two pages, securing the signatures of all dissertation committee members on the abstract, and distributing the abstract electronically to the faculty of the Department of Health and Human Performance. Instructions for electronic distribution of the dissertation proposal abstract can be obtained by contacting the Chair of the GRD Committee.

At least ten (10) working days must elapse between the electronic distribution of the abstract and the student’s oral defense of the dissertation proposal.

In consultation with the advisor, the student must notify the GRD Committee of the date, time and place of the oral defense at least ten (10) working days prior to the defense.

Students are required to provide a complete copy of the dissertation proposal to committee members at least ten (10) working days prior to the proposal defense.

The dissertation proposal may not be approved if more than one member of the committee is absent at the time of the student’s oral defense.

The committee may approve the proposal as is, suggest changes, or disapprove the dissertation proposal. For the project to move forward, all committee members must approve the dissertation proposal and must indicate their approval by signature on the proposal document face page.