Upon successful completion of the Specialization Paper SP ( formerly SQE), the student shall submit a dissertation/treatise proposal for the Dissertation/Treatise Committee's approval. The student's Dissertation/Treatise Committee must approve the final written dissertation/treatise proposal. Upon successful completion of the dissertation/treatise proposal, the student may be advanced to Doctoral Candidacy by the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). Upon candidacy approval by the GSC, a student must submit an online application to the Graduate School. In addition, submission of an online application is required to the Office of Research Support and Compliance (Human Subjects/IRB).
The Ph.D. dissertation/ Ed.D. treatise is designed to demonstrate the student's knowledge and skills and is expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge in one of the traditions of thought related to educational policy and leadership. This work should be framed within the scholarship available in the area of study. A strong theoretical background is necessary, along with a methodology. Throughout the dissertation period, a student is advised to maintain close contact with the Dissertation/Treatise Chairperson and other Dissertation/Treatise Committee members. It is the student's responsibility to see that the dissertation/treatise meets current Graduate School requirements.
Please review the steps below, outlined by the Department, as you prepare for your proposal defense and advancement to doctoral candidacy.
When: After you pass your SQE & have completed all coursework
___ Identify your dissertation/treatise committee chair (supervisor)
___ In consultation with your committee supervisor, invite 3 other members to serve on your dissertation/treatise committee, at least one semester prior to holding your proposal meeting. Your committee must consist of 4 members: 3 members (including your chair) must be members of the ELP Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), and 1 member (your “outside/external member”) must be from outside of the student’s (ELP) GSC.
___ Prepare your dissertation/treatise proposal (3 chapters) in consultation with your committee chair
___ With your chair’s approval, schedule a date and time for your proposal meeting (to present your proposal to your committee). To reserve a room for your proposal, please contact Diamond Lowe, the Department's Administrative Associate, at <diamond.lowe@austin.utexas.edu>. *Proposals conducted via Zoom until further notice due to COVID-19
___ Distribute copies of your proposal to all committee members at least 2 weeks in advance of proposal meeting
___ Prior to the meeting, prepare Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy Application using the ELP Dept. “advancement to candidacy kit/packet,” available Doctoral Advancement Kit. Materials must include IRB application and abstract.
___ Hold your proposal meeting
When: After you receive a “pass” in your proposal meeting. ** Please note that in order to enroll in dissertation/treatise hours in a given semester, you must pay attention to GSC meeting dates (because your advancement to candidacy application must be approved at a GSC meeting) and also pay attention to registration deadlines for that semester**
___ Submit Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy Application packet with all required signatures to Graduate Coordinator by the due date so that your name may be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) for department approval.
___ Before you can convert a placeholder(s) course(s), you must be in-candidacy, which takes 4-6 weeks to approve by GSC and then the Graduate School. In other words, the Dean of the Graduate School must approve the candidacy application before a student is permitted to enroll in Dissertation/Treatise hours. GSC meets in late August, early October, early December, late January, mid-March, and early May of each year. Please consult with your faculty advisor on exact meeting dates to plan your proposal meeting 4-6 weeks prior to the GSC meeting date.
___ Submit your IRB Application online, once your committee approves your Proposal (https://research.utexas.edu/ors/human-subjects/submitting-to-irb/getting-started-and-creating-new-study-submission/)
___ Take the UT Copyright Tutorial
___ Submit your application for doctoral candidacy online, upon GSC approval. Graduate School application for candidacy available https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ogs/forms/candidacy/app.WBX?intro_type=D)
___ Submit the CV of your external committee member to the Graduate School, email the CV and your UT EID to Grad Student Services <GradStudentSvcs@austin.utexas.edu>.
Timeline for Proposal and Candidacy Advancement, Summer semester
Please note that in order to enroll in dissertation/treatise hours in a given semester, you must pay attention to GSC meeting dates (because your advancement to candidacy application must be approved at a GSC meeting) and also pay attention to registration deadlines for that semester**
Before you can convert a placeholder(s) course(s), you must be in-candidacy, which takes 4-6 weeks to approve by GSC and then the Graduate School. In other words, the Dean of the Graduate School must approve the candidacy application before a student is permitted to enroll in Dissertation/Treatise hours.
Please plan your proposal meetings with the GSC meeting dates in mind. GSC meets in late August, early October, early December, late January, mid-March, and early May of each year. Please consult with your faculty advisor on exact meeting dates to plan your proposal meeting 4-6 weeks prior to the GSC meeting date.
For summer advancement, please be advised you must propose before May 31. If you propose after this date, you will be considered for fall advancement on September 15.
For more information on the Graduate School key dates and policy deadlines, please visit https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/policies/key-dates.
For more information, please refer to the Doctoral Program Process, available at https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/ELP/Doctoral+Program+Process.
For an ELP Doctoral Stages Checklist, please see the “Doctoral Student Milestone Documents” header https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/ELP/ELP+Forms+and+Documents.