Saybrook doctoral dissertation candidates must present a dissertation demonstrating the planning, conduct, and results of original research and scholarly creativity. The dissertation itself should be an evident product of the candidate’s growth and attainment of the ability to identify significant problems contributing to an area of scholarly or scientific interest aligned with the student’s academic degree program. Policies apply across the University yet allow for customization by program and department.
The Dissertation Timeline and Process Policy and Procedures outlines the university processes (i.e., timeline and curriculum) that support and prepare students to complete the dissertation successfully. This policy first highlights the academic coursework dependencies that prepare students for the dissertation. Next, it overviews the qualifying and dissertation phases, including dissertation milestones. Finally, the policy outlines the relationship between the dissertation and degree conferral. Procedures for documenting the student’s dissertation committee and milestones are linked within this policy document, as are diagrams of the dissertation timeline and the dissertation process and milestones.
The Dissertation Faculty Policy and Procedures establishes details on expectations, roles and responsibilities, and expectations of dissertation committee members. This policy also includes the following:
Criteria for Dissertation Faculty
Student Responsibilities
Requirements by Department
Process for Forming Dissertation Committee
Roles and Responsibilities for Dissertation Chairs and Faculty
Committee Members: Methodologist and Reader
Supporting Dissertation Faculty
Communication, Collaboration, and Conflict Resolution
Changing Committee Members
The Dissertation Readiness Assessment is designed to assist in the conceptualization of students' proposed dissertation topic and their readiness to complete the work following the advanced research course(s) (refer to your department's policy). This review is designed to help students evaluate their readiness to proceed with the dissertation and help committee members evaluate the student's proposed research readiness.
Dissertation Proposal Preparation Guidelines is an instructional guide that describes steps to support students as they prepare and submit their written proposal for their committee members to review.