Doctoral Program Procedures

Graduate studies assistant completes necessary paperwork.

When: Immediately upon acceptance of the M.A. thesis. Requires positive recommendation of area.

File the designation of research tool (PDF) .

When: Upon conditional admission, but no later than appointment of the dissertation director.

Student informs graduate studies assistant of examination date and committee members.

When: Prior to taking candidacy examination. Student notifies area of intent to take exam.

Student takes candidacy examination. Area reports results.

When: Anytime after conditional admission to the doctoral program, but before the end of the third semester following award of the M.A.

When: Anytime before appointment of the dissertation director.

Complete the appointment of dissertation director (PDF) and committee forms.

When: Anytime following step one and fulfillment of tool requirement.

File the doctoral program of courses (PDF).

When: Immediately upon appointment of the dissertation director.

Required for initial registration only. Graduate studies assistant will obtain permission in future semesters.

When: When dissertation work begins, after appointment of director. Credit hours determined by director. Continuous enrollment required until formal approval of dissertation by the Graduate School.

File the approved dissertation proposal (PDF).

When: Upon approval by committee, prior to formal collection of data.

Apply for IRB or IACUC participant approval .

When: Prior to data collection.

Complete the candidacy committee members form. After the candidacy exam is passed, the director completes the candidacy results form.

When: After candidacy exam is passed and approved proposal is filed, but before defense.

Appointment of final oral defense committee. Complete the scheduling of oral examination and naming of the defense committee forms.

When: When dissertation is completed to the satisfaction of the committee.

The committee director files the report of oral defense and approved dissertation.

When: When corrections in dissertation are made to the satisfaction of the examination committee.

Apply to the Graduate School for graduation through MyNIU.

When: View graduation deadlines.