CSCR Dissertation Proposal

After attaining dissertator status, students must reach two remaining milestones to graduate: (1) successful defense of the dissertation proposal, and (2) successful defense of the dissertation. The typical dissertation proposal includes: literature review/background, research questions, methods (e.g., research design, data analysis), and outline for the proposed dissertation. CSCR students should also include a preliminary dissemination plan, or description of where/how results might be published or shared. The committee reviews the written proposal and an oral defense is scheduled. A student who has successfully defended their dissertation proposal is approved to carry out the proposed plan of research for their dissertation. The dissertation proposal process will typically take 6 – 12 months to complete.