Dissertation
Candidates for the doctoral degree must complete a dissertation. The dissertation represents an original research effort leading to new knowledge in communication and addresses significant theoretical issues in the field. Typical dissertations develop new theories or methods, explore new topics, or investigate communication as a social phenomenon. Other approaches are possible in consultation with the student’s special committee. The Graduate School has resources to support students throughout the dissertation writing process.
A student must complete two semesters of registration between the A exam and the B exam. All requirements for the PhD degree, including filing the dissertation, normally should be completed within five years of matriculation, with a maximum of seven years after the first registration in the Graduate School.
Proposal
A PhD candidate will submit a dissertation proposal to their special committee for discussion and approval. The proposal will include a title, a statement of the research question or questions, a brief review of the relevant literature, a plan of research for answering the research question, a discussion of method, a timeline, and a budget. The B Exam must occur at least three months after the proposal has been approved by the special committee.
The finished dissertation:
- May take the monograph or three articles form.
- Must have an abstract.
- Must follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or another style approved by the special committee chair.
- Must conform to the formatting requirements for a doctoral dissertation listed on the Graduate School's website.
A complete draft of the dissertation must be given to each committee member at least six weeks before the B exam, the dissertation defense.