The Supervisory Committee

The dissertation advisor and a minimum of two additional committee members have the responsibility of guiding research and assessing the quality of the finished product. Together, the three faculty comprise a student’s Supervisory Committee (and a Graduate College form must be completed that names them).

The advisor should have expertise in the area of the candidate’s research and/or methodological choice. The initial advisor may continue with the candidate as the dissertation advisor, but the candidate may invite another member of the faculty to serve as a co-advisor.

In consultation with the dissertation advisor, the student forms a dissertation committee consisting of graduate faculty. Retired professors are eligible to serve if they remain in good standing as graduate faculty with the Graduate College (they must be renewed in that status regularly). The committee is approved by the program coordinator. Once formed the composition of the committee may be changed per approval to assure that the candidate receives the most useful support possible.

Responsibilities of the dissertation advisor include:

• Guiding the student in the selection of committee members
• Assisting the student in defining and developing a proposal for the dissertation research
• Overseeing the dissertation research
•  Assisting the student in the organization of the dissertation defense and the dissemination of research results
• Responsibilities of dissertation committee members include:
• Reviewing the dissertation proposal and providing assistance and support for the research activities of the candidate
• Judging the quality of the dissertation and recommending approval and further action to the Dean of the Graduate College