Dissertation Committees
AND CHAIRING DOCTORAL COMMITTEES
Doctoral Faculty
It is the responsibility of the department faculty or program's executive committee to recommend the faculty qualified to participate in the doctoral program. A list of approved doctoral faculty is maintained by graduate and research affairs. To update this list, the curriculum vitae of the candidate is forwarded from the department chair to the college dean and then to the Dean of Graduate Affairs. Upon approval, the faculty member receives a letter from Graduate Affairs indicating his or her appointment as doctoral faculty.
Committee Chair
It is the responsibility of the department faculty or program's executive committee to recommend, via the college dean, doctoral faculty members that are qualified to chair a doctoral committee. To chair a doctoral committee, the following criteria must be met:
- Possess an earned terminal degree in the appropriate discipline
- Be tenured or have a tenure-track appointment . In rare circumstances, lecturers and adjuncts in the department, or faculty members from other departments who meet all other criteria may qualify. Such consideration requires documentation and justification from the college dean.
- Demonstrate expertise (theoretical, methodological, or topical) in areas germane to the dissertation research.
- Exhibit a continuous record of published research.
- Be approved by the Dean of Graduate Affairs.
A list of faculty approved to chair a doctoral committee is maintained by Graduate and Research Affairs. To update this list, the curriculum vitae of the candidate is forwarded from the department chair to the college dean and then to the Dean of Graduate Affairs. Upon approval, the faculty member receives a letter from Graduate Affairs indicating his or her appointment as doctoral faculty. When chair responsibilities are shared between two committee members, the two members may be assigned as co-chairs.
Committee Members
Other members of doctoral committees must be selected from the list of approved doctoral faculty or be designated as an external member previously approved by the committee chair and by the Dean of Graduate Affairs. All committee members must have a university appointment.
All members and chairs of doctoral committees must meet the requirements of the partnering institution if applicable.
Five-Year Update
Every five years, the department faculty or program's executive committee must review the qualifications of its previously approved participating faculty and eligibility to chair a committee. Updated lists of faculty, and current vitae for those recommended as doctoral committee chairs, will be solicited by the Dean of Graduate Affairs.
Approved by Graduate Council 12-13-07
with minor editorial changes on 1-10-08
