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Overview / Quick Links
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Office of Research Support & Compliance (IRB Info)
Deadlines & Time to Completion
Dissertation Proposal Timing: the Proposal typically consists of the first several chapters of the Dissertation, and serves as a collaborative work session and chance to receive feedback before the dissertation defense. You should discuss timing of the Proposal with your dissertation committee/supervisor early in the dissertation process, and check in regularly.
Dissertation Completion/Defense:
Ph.D. students are expected to complete the dissertation within two years of admission to candidacy.
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Extend candidacy for one additional year, or
Recommend termination for lack of academic progress
Final Note: final decisions are made by the UT Graduate Dean.
Dissertation Enrollment Requirement
Once you are admitted to candidacy, the Graduate School requires you continuously register for dissertation hours (EDP 399W, 699W, or 999W) every Fall and Spring semester until graduation. Summer registration in dissertation is required if your faculty adviser believes it necessary, if you will hold your proposal meeting in the Summer, or if you will graduate during the summer.
Dissertation Format Options
💡 The Graduate School’s Dissertation Formatting / Writing Resources > are an excellent resource during your dissertation writing! Be sure to review the Grad School’s requirements for dissertation formatting and submission.
You and your dissertation supervisor will choose one of two formats for your dissertation:
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Once your dissertation proposal is approved, switching formats requires full committee approval.
The Dissertation Proposal Meeting
With your supervisor’s guidance, you’ll write a dissertation proposal and schedule a proposal meeting with your committee.
This meeting:
Serves as an evaluation of your study plan and collaborative work session
Provides a chance for feedback before the dissertation defense
Often results in approval with revisions
Occasionally, the committee may request a second meeting if major revisions are needed. Once approved, all decisions made in the proposal meeting (e.g. sample size, measures) are binding. If you need to make changes later, you must notify the full committee and get their consent.
Dissertation Proposal Document Content
Most dissertation proposals include the first three chapters of the dissertation, written in APA format:
Introduction (~10 pages): Explains the purpose and significance of your study
Literature Review (~20-40 pages): Reviews the research relevant to your topic
Method (~10-20 pages): Details your methodology
For writing support, consider Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish by Cone & Foster (APA, 1996), available at www.apa.org
Scheduling Your Proposal Meeting
Once your supervisor and committee agree your proposal is ready:
Schedule your meeting and send the full proposal document to your committee members - at least 2 weeks in advance
Reserve a meeting room through the EDP Department (note: Friday afternoons require prior approval from the Department Chair).
All committee members should attend the proposal meeting. If someone cannot be present, you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring their feedback is included and documented.
Submitting the Proposal Meeting Report
On the day of your proposal meeting, submit the Dissertation Proposal Meeting Report via Docusign.
Your dissertation supervisor and co-supervisor will use this form to report the meeting outcome to the Department. You’ll receive a copy from DocuSign once all signatures are complete - be sure to save it for your records. The report will include next steps and any required revisions and feedback.
Dissertation Enrollment Requirement
Once you are admitted to candidacy, the Graduate School requires you continuously register for dissertation hours (EDP 399W, 699W, or 999W) every Fall and Spring semester until graduation. Summer registration in dissertation is required if your faculty adviser believes it necessary, if you will hold your proposal meeting in the Summer, or if you will graduate during the summer.
IRB & Human Subjects Research
If your dissertation involves human subjects, you must obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before collecting data.
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TIP: See the IRB’s tips for completing the application
Using the Department Subject Pool
If you plan to recruit participants from the Department’s Subject Pool, you may request access as part of your dissertation or other research. Discuss this option with your supervisor during the planning stage.
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