Rackham Graduate School, University of Michigan

Doctoral Steps

This guideline presents the major steps involved in a typical student's dissertation process. While this document includes all Rackham required steps, there may be additional departmental requirements. For example, the steps for Music Performance and Music Conducting may vary in the order presented and requirements differ slightly. Rackham recommends that students check with their departmental advisor.

Completion of these steps does not guarantee conferral of your degree. The final conferral decision is the responsibility of the Rackham Graduate School.

Responsible roles are listed in the legend and are indicated to the left of each step. Some steps have prerequisites which are noted with reference number(s) for the steps that must first be completed. Many steps provide links to supporting documentation, PDF forms*, and/or other websites that are useful in the dissertation process.

• Steps for Candidacy and Forming a Dissertation Committee
• Steps for Research and Writing of Dissertation
• Steps for Defense and Evaluation
• Steps for Degree Conferral

Legend

Student	Committee Chair	Committee	Department	Rackham

Steps for Candidacy and Forming a Dissertation Committee

Step			Prerequisites
	1.	Establish advisor
	2.	Review the resource titled, "2.1.1 Candidacy Requirements"
	3.	Complete coursework as agreed upon with advisor	1
	4.	Complete departmental requirements (e.g. qualifiers, proposals, work experience)
	5.	Pass preliminary exams
	6.	Complete Advance to Candidacy Form (PDF)* and send to Rackham for review	3, 4, 5
	7.	Approve Advance to Candidacy	6
	8.	Form dissertation committee after reviewing guidelines (PDF)*
	9.	Complete Dissertation Committee Form (PDF)* and submit to Rackham for review
	10.	Approve dissertation committee	9

Steps for Research and Writing of Dissertation

Step			Prerequisites
	11.	Learn about formatting and templates in Microsoft Word | Sign up for a workshop
	12.	Review "Dissertation and Abstract Format Guidelines" (PDF*) and "Most Common Formatting Errors" (PDF*)
	13.	Review the resources titled and "2.1.2 Doctoral Requirements"
	14.	Define and shape research in consultation with chair (use Current Research@University of Michigan and ProQuest Digital Dissertations as helpful resources)	8
	15.	Consult with a library subject specialist and conduct a literature review (Also check Library borrowing privileges and reserve a study carrel)
	16.	Select a bibliographic management tool | Sign up for a workshop
	17.	Conduct research	14
	18.	Write and revise dissertation/abstract (PDF*) (iterative)	17
	19.	Obtain information on copyright law (refer to ProQuest)	18
	20.	Hold pre-defense meeting with dissertation committee	8
	21.	Revise dissertation/abstract as necessary (use graduate formatting guidelines [PDF*])	19
	22.	Review "Abstract and Dissertation Format Guidelines" (PDF*) and "Most Common Formatting Errors" (PDF*) to confirm correct formatting

Steps for Defense and Evaluation

Step			Prerequisites
	23.	Register online for Rackham group pre-defense meeting and submit date, time, and location of oral defense
	24.	Attend scheduled group pre-defense meeting and bring one complete copy of dissertation to note any formatting corrections	10, 20
	25.	Get evaluation forms (instructions) from Rackham and deliver to committee members with a copy of the dissertation and abstract at least ten business days before defense	24
	26.	Submit completed evaluation forms (instructions) to Rackham three business days before defense	25
	27.	View your committee on Wolverine Access to verify that evaluations have been returned to Rackham	26
	28.	Pick up packet from Rackham and deliver packet of completed evaluation forms, Final Oral Examination Report, and Certificate of Dissertation Committee Approval Form to the dissertation committee chair at the defense	27
	29.	Do oral defense of dissertation	28
	30.	Return Final Oral Examination Report to Rackham	29
	31.	Submit final dissertation/abstract revisions as necessary to committee chair	30
	32.	Return the Certificate of Dissertation Committee Approval Form (instructions) to Rackham	31
	33.	Prepare for post-defense meeting with Rackham and bring all paperwork requirements
	34.	Complete post-defense meeting with Rackham and complete all requirements	24, 31
	35.	Check Student Accounts Office for financial status

Steps for Degree Conferral

Step			Prerequisites
	36.	Approve degree for conferral if all degree requirements are met
	37.	Receive diploma at commencement (April/May & December only) or the Office of the Registrar will mail it approximately two weeks after conferral date	36

* Because of a bug in some internet browsers, it is recommended that you download any web-based PDF document to your hard disk before viewing instead of opening the document in the browser window. PC Instructions: Right mouse-click on the link and select "Save Link/Target As." MAC Instructions: Hold Option and mouse-click on the link and select "Save Link/Target As."

Article Details

Article ID: 207
Created On: 16 Jul 2009 11:29 AM

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