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Dissertation: A Guide For Completing Your Doctoral Degree
**Effective beginning 9/1/09**
This is the final step before receiving your advanced degree. The Graduate School is here to support you as you conclude your studies toward earning your Doctoral Degree here at Rowan University. We’ve gathered all of the instructions, procedures, forms and other required information right here to help guide you through each step.
General Guidelines and Requirements
For any questions regarding formatting or submitting the thesis that are not covered by the above documents, please contact the Campbell Library.
Please note: The total cost of one submission (one copy purchased) is approximately $177. This cost includes: publishing ($65), copyright ($65), one hard copy printing for Library archiving ($30), and microfiche archiving ($17). Additional printings for personal or other use may be obtained from UMI at a cost of approximately $30 per copy.
Click here for additional information regarding Graduation.
Click here for additional information regarding Commencement.
Content Guidelines and Requirements
For exact requirements regarding the content of your dissertation, please see your specific program curriculum and/or Graduate Academic Advisor.
Forms
One copy of the above form will need to be signed by each member of your Dissertation Review Committee, verifying you have successfully defended your graduate thesis.
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Request for Conferral of Doctoral Degree (blue card)
A copy of the above card must be picked up in person at The Graduate School during regular University business hours. Successful completion of this form by both your Dissertation Review Committee Chair and the Library Dean is the final step required for the Registrar to approve the granting of the Doctoral degree.
More Information & FAQs
Click here for information from ProQuest/UMI on the following:
- Preparing your manuscript for submission
- Including supplementary material with your submission
- Inclusion of other people's copyrighted material
- Copyrighting your own dissertation or thesis
- Choosing Traditional or Open Access publishing.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the UMI ETD Online Dissertation Submission Process.
Glossary of Terms
Graduate Academic Advisor
The academic advisor is a designated faculty member to advise the graduate student about program curriculum requirements. The graduate academic advisor and the Dissertation Committee Chair is often the same individual, but a graduate student may select a different faculty member to steer their research efforts toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation.
Dissertation Review Committee
The Committee must be comprised of a minimum of three members, including the Chair. The student must include individuals who possess expertise in conducting research, preferably in the content area. Since the role of the committee is to act as a resource on various sections of the dissertation, it is highly advised to invite an external expert into the committee. However, an external expert can only be invited as the fourth or fifth member of the committee.
Typical Committee member responsibilities would include:
• Reading/reviewing all submissions by the student (approved by the Chair).
• Providing timely feedback regarding any questions, comments, or changes to be made.
• Guaranteeing the quality of the work through approval.
Dissertation Chair
The Dissertation Chair is the student’s primary consultant, advisor, and advocate throughout the entire thesis process. The Dissertation Chair guides the candidate throughout all phases of the research project, including assisting in the selection of qualified committee members, and monitors all requirements and deadlines. It is the chair’s responsibility to inform the student about all thesis requirements before the work is initiated.
Matriculation
Before you can matriculate, you must formally apply and be accepted into the appropriate graduate program.
Residency
Rowan University specifies that a certain number of your requirements must be completed in residence. If you plan to transfer any credits from another institution for your degree, check with your departmental office or graduate program advisor to make certain you have met all requirements well in advance of applying for your degree.
Candidacy
After matriculation, you must become an official candidate for a degree before you can apply for graduation. Clarify the specific requirements for candidacy with your graduate program advisor. Candidacy for all graduate degrees (Master’s and Doctoral) automatically terminates after six consecutive years.
Registration
Once you have been admitted to candidacy, you must maintain your graduate student status through registration for at least one graduate course credit in your department per academic year.
Application For Degree
All graduate students who expect to receive a degree must formally apply for their degrees. As a general rule, applications should be made early in the semester in which the degree is to be conferred. Specific dates are established by the Registrar and The Graduate School. There is a registration requirement during the academic year in which a student seeks to graduate. You must complete all degree requirements within a six-year period. See the Graduate Handbook for more detail. Check with your departmental office or graduate program advisor for all requirements specific to your advanced degree.
