Proposal and Dissertation

Proposal

Successful completion of the Doctoral Comprehensive Qualifying Examination allows a student to begin the dissertation process. The dissertation represents the culminating doctoral experience. The initial step in this process requires each student to assemble a dissertation committee consisting of a Chairperson and two additional committee members. Under the supervision of the Chairperson and guidance of committee members, a student then develops a dissertation proposal. The proposal is a vital component in the process leading to the successful completion of the dissertation. It is through preparation of the proposal that the student and the committee reach an acceptable action plan.

Upon completion of the proposal and approval by the Committee Chairperson and committee members, it is forwarded to the Chair of Graduate Studies in Psychology for approval. Once this proposal has been approved, the student then makes arrangements to present their proposal to the AIC Human Subjects Committee. The purpose of the Human Subjects Committee is to ensure that research complies with regulations concerning human subjects in research. Students should contact the Chair of the Human Subjects Committee to schedule an appointment. Given this approval, the candidate is now prepared to begin the final work on their dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the culminating event of your Doctoral study. Students are prepared for the dissertation by completing all course and program requirements and by completing the research sequence of Behavioral Statistics (3 credits), Applied Research Methodology (3 credits), and Multivariate Research Methods (3 credits). Dissertation in Educational Psychology (12 credits) is completed while preparing the Proposal and Dissertation. The dissertation may be an empirical study, a theoretical contribution, or a program assessment, but the student must demonstrate doctoral level scholarship. Each dissertation will be monitored by the committee and must reflect:

1. Original research which is psychological in nature
2. A high degree of scholarly proficiency, methodological sophistication (publication quality), and consistent with ethical principles of the profession
3. The potential for significant contribution to the psychological literature

When the dissertation is completed the student then prepares for their oral defense. The defense takes place in the presence of the full dissertation committee and other college personnel as necessary. Each member of the committee must sign the signature page indicating that the student has passed their defense.