phd dissertation completion program

10 Best All But Dissertation Completion Programs [2024 ABD Guide]

Students who completed their doctoral coursework and received doctoral candidacy but left the program before completing their dissertation may qualify for ABD completion programs.

All but dissertation programs provide doctoral students with the opportunity to finish what they’ve started.

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Let’s take a look at how an accredited dissertation only PhD program may help you achieve your academic goals. You can also discover some of the current degree programs available for returning PhD students.

Universities Offering Online All But Dissertation Completion Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Alverno College

Alverno College offers an ABD to help with the completion of EdD degrees. There is also a concentration in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education available. Most of the program is online with 2 weekend residencies in Milwaukee. The program requires approximately 6 semesters.

Alverno College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. American College of Education

An EdD in Leadership is available through the American College of Education. Those who are considered ABD may be able to follow a customized pathway to completion. The program is fully online, and there are no residency requirements. Courses are in an asynchronous learning format.

American College of Education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Baker College

Those with 32 credits toward a DBA may finish their degree through Baker College’s ABD completion program. The dissertation program requires an additional 28 credits and may be completed entirely online. On average, the program may be completed in 18 months.

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

4. Bay Path University

Bay Path University offers an EdD in Educational Leadership. Those who have completed doctoral coursework may be eligible for the ABD program. All coursework is online with 1 weekend residency per year. The dissertation requires 21 credits. The school offers multiple concentrations including Higher Education Leadership and Transformative School Leadership.

Bay Path University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

5. Brenau University

Brenau University offers an online EdD in Education program that features an ABD path for those who have completed core courses. There are start dates each fall and spring, and the program follows a semester schedule. The program requires 2 weekend residencies over the course of the program.

Brenau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

6. Centenary University

An EdD in Educational Leadership through Centenary University’s ABD program. The program requires 13 to 21 credits. Courses are online or in a blended format. A faculty advisor is available throughout the program. Courses follow a semester schedule.

Centenary University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University offers an EdD for ABD students. The program is in an accelerated format. All coursework is fully online with 1 weekend residency required. The required 27 credits can typically be completed in 18 months.

Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

8. Indiana Wesleyan University

Those classified as ABD can earn an EdD through Indiana Wesleyan University. The program is fully online, and there are no residency requirements. The program is taught through a Christian worldview. The program’s required 30 credits may be completed in as little as 20 months.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

9. Manhattanville College

Manhattanville College offers an EdD in Educational Leadership for those who have completed all doctoral coursework except the dissertation. Courses may be completed online or on campus. Online programs start each spring. Courses are in an accelerated format. The program requires 30 additional credits for a total of 59 credits.

Manhattanville College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Union Institute & University

A PhD can be earned through Union Institute & University’s ABD program. All coursework is online with 1 week of residency required at the start of each term. There are start dates are in January and July. The program requires 9 to 12 credits. On average, the program may be completed in 3.

Union Institute & University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online ABD Completion Programs

If you’re interested in completing an all but dissertation (ABD) or dissertation only PhD program, there are a few steps involved.

The process is different for every school and dissertation completion pathway, but you’ll typically be asked to:

• Submit an application . You’ll be asked to share your educational history, including doctorate coursework completed. Each school will determine if and how they will offer transfer credits for the courses you’ve taken.
• Complete coursework . Some schools ask students to complete a few prerequisite courses, often regarding research, writing skills, or communications.
• Seek mentorship and resources . Many schools provide students with a staff mentor who can provide them with support and guidance during the dissertation process.
• Complete your dissertation . Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to complete your dissertation.

Generally speaking, you’re often asked to have a proposal for your dissertation at the time of admissions. So, you may want to be prepared to speak with the program and admissions staff about your upcoming dissertation during the application process.

Select jobs require candidates to have a doctoral degree, though many careers do not. At the same time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that professionals who have a doctoral degree experience the lowest average levels of unemployment.

Due to many different circumstances, a surprising number of adult students do not complete their dissertation after finishing their doctoral coursework. As a result, they must often start over to earn their PhD—unless they choose an ABD completion pathway.

Why PhD Candidates Quit

Though you may feel alone on an incomplete educational path, there are many other students who find themselves on a dissertation completion pathway.

There are many reasons why a student may find themselves in ABD status, including:

• Finances and personal circumstances . Some students need to take a break in their studies due to practical situations. Whether due to the cost of tuition or the amount of time spent working toward a degree, life may interfere with your studies.
• Intimidation or fear . Dissertations often range from 30,000 to 60,000 words and beyond. Many individuals find researching, organizing, and drafting a document this size to be intimidating.
• Time management challenges . For some students, losing the structure of a school setting can mean losing sight of writing the final dissertation. Without a school and study schedule, they may fall behind in writing their dissertation.

Though a dissertation isn’t an easy challenge to take on, all but dissertation programs help students who are ready for the final step in their doctoral degree. ABD programs could provide resources, mentors, and guidance throughout the process, such as knowing how to decompose the PhD project into distinct dissertation chapters can help in the writing phase.

ABD PhD Completion Programs Admissions Requirements

Schools that offer all but dissertation programs will have their own guidelines and admissions requirements for students. So it’s beneficial to review the admissions process and application for each school carefully.

Some common requirements include:

• GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
• Complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• Doctoral work transcripts demonstrating completion of doctoral coursework
• Minimum GPA standing
• Academic writing samples

You may be asked to provide course descriptions or syllabus-level course details for some of your graduate and doctoral degree work. This will help each school determine which credits apply toward their doctoral completion program.

Unlike many educational opportunities, an ABD program often involves working with admissions and program counselors to determine your placement within their program.

PhD ABD Programs Accreditation

As you review various PhD ABD programs, it’s beneficial to check whether the programs that interest you most are accredited, just like checking online doctoral programs in education without dissertation .

Accreditation is offered to schools and programs that demonstrate a higher level of educational excellence. Organizations such as CHEA, or the Council for Higher Educational Accreditation , provide more information about the regional accreditation process.

There can be many benefits to selecting an accredited program. Many financial assistance opportunities, including federal student aid, are provided exclusively to those who attend accredited schools. Plus, required steps for employment in your field, such as licensing, certification, or membership in a professional organization may require accredited education.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

For many students, the first step toward receiving financial aid is completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Completing this application helps determine your eligibility for need-based federal assistance.

You can also research what scholarship or grant opportunities the school you will attend may offer. They might also offer financing or repayment opportunities. Other scholarship opportunities might come from your community, local businesses, large corporations, or private donors. There may be financial aid options specifically for those on a dissertation completion pathway.

Additionally, your employer may offer assistance for those who are returning to school. This could potentially include employer-sponsored scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, or an educational allowance.

What Does ABD Mean?

All but dissertation (ABD) means that a student has completed every step in their doctoral degree program except the final dissertation. Typically, earning a doctoral degree includes 2 to 3 years of classwork followed by exams. After this, students propose, research, write, present, and defend their dissertation in front of a committee.

ABD status means you’ve done everything but the dissertation step. While there is no “ABD degree,” many schools offer all but dissertation (ABD) programs that help provide you with the structure, environment, resources, and timeframe to complete this important final step of earning a PhD.

How Long Are ABD Completion Programs Online?

All but dissertation completion programs online typically take 1 to 3 years to complete, depending on the university and your chosen specialty.

Some universities require students with ABD status to complete a few courses in order to remain eligible for their degree. These prerequisites often highlight helpful skills for dissertation writers, including research, writing, organization, and communication.

In many cases, students are asked to check in regularly with their mentors or advising staff to consider the scope of their projects and findings.

Is an ABD Completion Worth It?

Yes, an ABD completion is worth it for many students. While writing a dissertation can be seem intimidating and stressful, many doctoral candidates find that completing the process is rewarding and beneficial.

Not all careers require a PhD. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that professionals who have earned their doctoral degrees typically earn higher median salaries and experience lower incidences of unemployment.

While a dissertation only PhD program can’t guarantee your professional success, it can be helpful for those wishing to gain employment in the highest levels of their field.

Finishing Your Doctorate Degree Online

Plenty of doctoral candidates find themselves unable to complete their degree due to the final dissertation. Selecting a dissertation completion pathway can help students in this situation find the structure and guidance they need to finish this last step.

If you are ready to complete your doctorate or PhD degree, you may wish to consider all but dissertation programs to help you conquer this final challenge. Regardless of what caused the delay, you can still complete your terminal degree.

You can explore some of the accredited ABD programs offered online around the country to take this next step in your academic and professional journey.

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Doctoral Completion Programs: How to Finish Your Doctorate Degree

Doctoral programs are extremely rigorous. Unlike master’s degree programs, doctorate programs are heavily self-driven and require the highest level of scholarly research and writing. For some students who are balancing work and life priorities with a doctoral degree, this can seem overwhelming.

If you started a doctoral program but didn’t finish, you aren’t alone. Nearly 50% of people who start doctorate degrees never complete their program. 

There are many reasons doctorate students stop their studies. Maybe you took time off for personal, financial or professional reasons. Maybe the doctorate program you attended previously wasn’t the right fit. Whatever the reason you decided to pause your doctoral studies, you may still be able to complete the terminal degree you started.

Doctoral completion programs are specifically designed for students who have some doctoral credit, but didn’t meet the requirements to graduate. Let’s dive into what these programs offer to see if a doctoral completion program is right for you.

What is a Doctoral Completion Program?

A doctoral completion program is not a specific doctorate program in and of itself. In reality, doctoral completion programs are another name for transfer-friendly doctoral programs that offer dedicated support for transfer students.

Doctoral completion programs are designed to meet the needs of students who are restarting their doctoral studies in an effort to accelerate their completion of their degree. These programs are unique because many universities will not accept transfer credit at the doctoral level. 

Let’s look at two of the common pathways you can take when completing your doctoral program. 

Doctoral Completion Programs: Choosing The Right Pathway

There are two stages of doctoral study—the required coursework and the dissertation. If you’re looking to complete your doctorate degree, you need to consider which requirements you still need to meet. 

If you still need to complete coursework and pass your comprehensive exam: Look for a university that accepts significant transfer credit and can help you complete your remaining coursework. Make sure you understand:

• How many credits will transfer: Most doctorate programs require around 58 credit hours total to graduate. Some transfer-friendly universities, like Franklin University, will accept up to 24 credits, which is about 40% of the total required.
• Will your credits qualify to be transferred: Doctoral programs typically require credits to be applied directly to the degree, meaning the previous course has to be substantially similar to the required course at the new university. If your previous studies don’t align, you may need to retake coursework. You may also need to meet specific passing grade requirements or time requirements (often credits more than 7-10 years old won’t transfer).

If you’ve reached ABD (all but dissertation) status: Consider a dissertation completion pathway. Some universities will allow you to restart your doctorate degree at the dissertation stage. However, before committing, make sure you understand:

• You may still need to take coursework: Many advertised ABD programs will still require you to take prerequisites, focus area courses or research and writing foundations courses to complete your dissertation at their university.
• Admission requirements may be extensive: Universities that offer dissertation-only completion pathways usually require more than just graduate transcripts. Expect to submit additional documentation, including previous doctoral candidacy, portfolio or work samples, resume, letters of reference or other support materials.
• You need to feel confident about your dissertation topic: Since you will start directly at the dissertation stage, you will need to declare a topic. Some of these programs will require a learning agreement contract to establish milestones for completing your dissertation.

Accelerate your completion time and lower your total tuition cost at every academic level. Download this free guide for tips on maximizing your transfer credit.

How doctoral completion programs work.

Applying to a doctoral program to complete your degree is often very similar to regular doctoral admissions. Here are the steps you will need to take: 

• Research transfer-friendly universities that accept doctorate transfer credit. Based on your previous educational experience, find the best-fit university that will also accept the most transfer credit.
• Apply to the university’s doctoral program. Submit an application and all support materials. Most applications can be submitted online and may or may not require an application fee. 
• Submit official graduate transcripts for the university. You will need to submit official transcripts for all graduate level coursework. It can also be helpful to submit information on the courses you’ve previously taken, including syllabi or course descriptions. These materials can help a university determine whether courses are similar enough to reward transfer credit.
• Receive transfer credit evaluation. You will receive a determination that shows how many credits you received, what courses they apply to and how many credits still need to be completed.
• Get started! Meet with your academic and/or faculty advisors to determine your schedule and complete your doctorate. 

5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Doctoral Completion Program

If you chose to stop your doctorate studies, there was likely a compelling reason. For some, the original doctorate program they chose wasn't a good fit for their needs as a student. You want to make sure that if you return to doctoral studies, the program you choose will set you up for success.

Make sure you ask these questions before choosing a doctoral completion program:

• How many credits will transfer into the doctoral completion program? You want to ensure as many credits as possible transfer into a new doctoral program, especially if you’re at the ABD stage.
• How will this program support you in completing your doctorate? Look for programs that offer dedicated faculty advisors, active student associations and extensive online library systems. All of these resources will help you complete your doctorate.
• Do you feel confident about the dissertation process? Many people fear the dissertation process. It’s why ABD has become a de facto designation for those who stop their doctoral studies before they complete their dissertation. Make sure you understand how dissertation committees work, how to establish milestones and how to defend a dissertation. Knowing all of this in advance can help you formulate a clear plan to finish your dissertation and earn your degree.
• Will this doctorate program work with your schedule? Some doctoral completion programs have a required in-person component. Others are conducted entirely online. The structure and flexibility of the program you choose will ultimately determine if you can successfully complete it or not.
• Are you excited and motivated to complete your doctorate degree? Personal drive and determination are two of the top factors in the successful completion of a doctorate degree. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve what you set out to do.

Finish What You Started: Complete Your Doctorate Degree

In the United States, only 2% of the population holds a doctoral degree. Franklin University is here to help you achieve this lifetime accomplishment. 

Our transfer-friendly, online doctoral programs are designed to support students from all backgrounds to complete their doctorate. From start to finish, a doctorate can be completed in as few as three years. If you maximize your transfer credit , it can be completed even quicker. Our no-fear dissertation process, faculty mentorship and peer support will help you stay on track to graduation.

Explore all of our doctoral programs to see if we offer a doctorate that aligns with your goals.

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How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

Coursework Examination Research Papers Research Activities Field-Specific Requirements

Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

Years 4 & 5

Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

Wharton’s phd program prepared this doctor to perform economic evaluations in health care, why this phd student chose to study business ethics at wharton, conducting ground-breaking research at wharton.

College of Management and Human Potential - Doctoral Programs: PhD in Management

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Learning Outcomes

Full program, completion program.

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The ACBSP-accredited online PhD in Management degree from Walden University takes an interdisciplinary approach to the field of management and its influence on the development of individuals and society. Students conduct original research in a specific area of interest as they focus on current management research problems and connect their research to implications for positive social change. Students may choose a specialization that fits a personal or career objective or design an individualized specialization. PhD in Management students explore the challenges and opportunities in their profession and within today’s organizations. Aligning with Walden’s mission of positive social change, students also study ways to facilitate positive social change through original research in management, ethical decision making and theoretical challenges to enhance their capabilities as researchers, scholars, managers, teachers, or consultants.

• Evaluate the evolution of the field of management and organizations and its influence on human and societal development.
• Analyze key theories, concepts, and tools as they relate to the functioning of leadership and organizations.
• Evaluate management and systems thinking principles that have influenced the development of organizations and societal systems.
• Evaluate the relevance of seminal, current, and emerging management and organizational change theory and practice from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• Demonstrate the skills needed to conduct research that contributes to positive social change.

Minimum Degree Requirements

• Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 credits)
• Core courses (20 credits)
• Specialization courses (15 credits)

Foundation Research Sequence (15 credits)

• Advanced Research course (5 credits)
• Dissertation Preparation courses (9 credits)
• Dissertation writing course (5 credits per quarter for a minimum of four quarters until completion)
• Four PhD residencies

Core Courses (20 credits)

• Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Specializations Courses (15 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Specialization in 21st Century Finance

Specialization in human resource management, specialization in information systems management, specialization in leadership and organizational strategy, specialization in organizational design and innovation, specialization in self-designed, advanced research course (5 credits).

PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.

One of the following three courses is required:

• Students may take this a non-degree course.

Residency Requirements

• Residency 1  - Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; no later than within 90 days of completing MGMT 8003M.
• Residency 2  - Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310). Completion of Residencies 1 and 2 is required prior to registration in the advanced research course and MGMT 9000.
• Residency 3  - Complete Residency 3 once you have a draft prospectus.
• Residency 4 General  (RESI 8404) OR
• Residency 4 Proposal Writing  (RESI 8404Q) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative  (RESI 8404R) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative  (RESI 8404S) OR
• Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting  (RESI 8404T) OR
• A  dissertation intensive  (DRWI 8500) during MGMT 9000M in the dissertation writing phase to progress toward completion and defense of the dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
• Optional:  Complete a  dissertation intensive  (DRWI 8500) during MGMT 9000M. Contact Student Success Advising to register.  Note:  Intensives are  not  included in Fast Track tuition.

Completion of the Doctoral Capstone

Dissertation preparation courses (9 credits), dissertation.

(5 credits per quarter for a minimum of four quarters until completion) *

*Students are continuously enrolled in MGMT 9000M for a minimum of four quarters until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Learn more about the dissertation process in the  Dissertation Guidebook .

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)

Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.

• All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
• All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
• All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
• Program prospectus development course
• Residencies 1, 2, and 3
• A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
• The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.

The PhD dissertation completion program is designed specifically for returning doctoral degree candidates who have completed all coursework for a PhD, except the dissertation process, at another university.

Minimum Completion Requirements

• Core courses (5 credits)
• Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (minimum 20 credits)
• Residency 3  (face-to-face live experience)
• One dissertation intensive  (face-to-face writing retreat)

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

*Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required  doctoral writing assessment . Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see  Enrollment Requirements  in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.

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Dissertation Completion Fellowships

Dissertation completion fellowships provide advanced doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences with an academic year of support to write and complete their dissertation.

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Eligible students in the humanities and social sciences are guaranteed a dissertation completion fellowship (DCF) between the G4 and G7 years and must apply for the DCF in advance of the dissertation completion year.

Before applying, students should:

• review DCF opportunities offered by Harvard research centers (see below) and search the CARAT database for DCFs offered by non-Harvard agencies
• review dissertation completion fellowships policy
• follow the instructions for dissertation completion fellowships and apply by February 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Award description and confirmation typically occurs in early May.

While there is no guarantee of a DCF beyond the G7 year, requests will be considered upon recommendation of the faculty advisor.

Instructions for departments can be found on the instructions for dissertation completion fellowships page.

Harvard Research Centers

Other dissertation completion fellowships are available through the Harvard research centers.

• Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History Dissertation Completion Grants
• Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Dissertation Completion Fellowships
• Edmond J. Safra Graduate Fellowships in Ethics
• Mahindra Humanities Center Mellon Interdisciplinary Dissertation Completion Fellowship
• Center for European Study Dissertation Completion Fellowship
• Radcliffe Dissertation Completion Fellowships
• Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Canada Program Dissertation Research and Writing Fellowships
• Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Dissertation-Writing Grants

External Dissertation Completion Fellowships 

Search the CARAT database for dissertation completion fellowships offered by non-Harvard agencies.​ Here are a couple of examples:

• American Association of University Women Dissertation Fellowship
• Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship

Please contact the Academic Programs office with any questions.

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Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Dissertation completion pathway.

*This program is taught online

If you’ve completed all but the dissertation ( “ ABD ” ) for your Doctorate in Educational Leadership , Manhattanville University can help you finish your degree . Our Dissertation Completion Pathway is an innovative degree pathway designed for advanced doctoral students in education leadership (or a related field) who were enrolled in a doctoral program at an accredited university and have completed coursework requirements , but have not completed the dissertation.   

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Designed with flexibility in mind, the Dissertation Completion Pathway can help you finish your doctorate in 2 to 4 years! 

The program is designed for students to complete in two years, but students can take up to four years to complete. Students who are not able to begin the program in July may work with the program coordinator to design an individualized pathway. An individualized pathway allows the student to begin coursework in August or January but does not provide the student with the cohort experience that is often an essential element of student success. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the program in July as part of a dissertation completion pathway cohort. 

• A customized and individualized course of study, with a focus on current problems of practice, the dissertation process, and research in educational leadership 
• Coaching toward the completion of a doctoral dissertation 
• Supportive, cohort-based model of teaching and learning 
• A flexible schedule and a career-friendly online class format  
• The ability to transfer up to 39 doctoral credits from an accredited program toward the 59-credit requirement. (Transfer eligibility determined by individual transcript review.) 
• An optimal two-year timeframe to complete the degree  

This pathway is a cohort-based, online program delivered in hybrid format: Students will receive a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning.  A new cohort is admitted each Spring to begin coursework in early July.  

• Most sessions will be once a week (Mondays) from 7:00 to 8:30 pm to accommodate different time zones
• Zoom (supplemented with TEAMS/ Blackboard Collaborate) is the platform that will be used for synchronous classes
• Students will need access to a computer that has a strong internet connection, and are advised to have a headset to reduce echo from speakers

The program is structured as follows: 

Year 1: Summer Term 1 Residency (July 8-10) EDAD 8300: Literature Review course (3 credits) * launches during residency, and extends through end of September, overlapping with fall course

Fall Term 2 EDAD 8183: Research Methods Refresher (3 credits)

Winter 2022 EDAD 8181: Coaching Completion (1-credit)

Summer Term 4 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision

Fall 2022/Term 5 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision

Winter EDAD 8181: APA 101 (1-credit) - optional

Spring Term 6 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision and/or EDAD 8152: Finish Strong Writing Seminar (2 credits)

Final Defense

May Graduation

You must have advanced to candidacy or reached all-but-dissertation (ABD) status in order to be accepted into the Dissertation Completion Pathway. Exceptions may be made as determined by the Admissions Committee. 

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Department of Linguistics

Graduate program, phd dissertation and completion process.

The submission of a dissertation stands as an imperative requirement for the conferral of the PhD degree. A dissertation is a formal document or scholarly product wherein a candidate meticulously presents their original research contribution.

While the content of the dissertation adheres to the scholarly standards of the specific discipline and is guided by the dissertation committee, the candidate assumes a primary role in conducting the research and authoring the dissertation.

PhD conferral calendar

First, consult the PhD conferral calendar. Degress are conferred five times per year (March, May, August, October, and December). The exact deadlines for each conferral period will change every year. The calendar can be found by searching the university website for "PhD completion process."

Dissertation committee

In the Fall semester of you fourth year, you will assemble a dissertation committee, which consists of at least three members, two of which are full-time tenure track or tenured faculty with a primary appointment in the Department of Linguistics. The chair of the committee must be a tenure-track/tenured University of Rochester faculty member.

The committee is formed by the student and their program advisor, and its approved by the department in a majority vote by September 30. Note : Once the committee is formed, the chair of the thesis committee takes over as the student’s advisor.

Committee requirements

The dissertation committee must include the following, each of whom will have a vote at the dissertation oral defense:

• At minimum, two faculty members internal to the Department of Linguistics at the University of Rochester.
• At minimum, one faculty member external to the program (either at the University of Rochester or at another accredited university).
• One faculty member of the University of Rochester, external to the program, with no significant scholarly relationship to either the candidate or other members of the committee, who will serve as chair of the dissertation oral defense.
• With the exception of the chair, the ratio of external to internal committee members with a vote should not exceed 50 percent, ensuring that equivalence or majority are internal to the program or department.
• At maximum, five members are permitted to vote. Additional members may participate without a vote.

Considerations can be found on page 10 and 11 of the GEPA Rules & Regulations Guide .

Preparing for your defense

You should contact the department manager at least six months before you anticipate defending for details regarding the defense and dissertation submission process.

Once you initiate this process, the department manager will review your student record and verify your eligibility to defend based on the credits you've completed, your grades, continuous enrollment, and teaching requirement.

Once you're cleared to proceed, the department manager will establish a comprehensive record within the University’s online PhD processing system on your behalf. This record includes details such as the planned defense date and time, committee members, and other pertinent information. You must provide this information to the department manager by completing a defense registration form .

After your record is created, you will receive an email to access the system and update your record as needed. You will continue to receive emails every step of the way leading up to and after your defense.

The timeline

Dissertation proposal

Students must prepare a dissertation proposal (min. 15 pages single spaced) including an appropriate bibliography. The proposal will be presented by the student in a private meeting with the committee at the end of the fall semester of the student’s fourth year. If the committee determines that the proposal needs more work, another deadline will be set up for later that academic year.

At least 8 weeks before your defense

Confirm the date and time of your defense so the department manager can reserve a room. Refer to the Dissertation Manual for formatting information. The University has strict formatting requirements and this manual provides everything you need to know. Before sending your dissertation to your committee, you may send it to the department manager to review for formatting requirements. If the dissertation isn't formatted correctly, you may not be approved to defend it.

At least 5 weeks before your defense

You must send a PDF copy of your dissertation to your committee members and the department manager. The same exact copy must be uploaded to your online record. Committee members need at least two weeks to review your dissertation before they can approve it for defense.

At least 15 business days before your defense

Once your record is complete the department manager will lock your online record. After it's locked, no changes can be made. Your record will go through a round of approvals (each committee member, School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) staff, SAS Graduate Dean, GEPA staff, and finally the University Dean of Graduate Education).

You will receive periodic updates from the PhD completion website as these approvals move forward. Once you've received all your approvals, your dissertation is officially registered, and you must wait a minimum of five days to defend it.

The department manager will create a flyer and invite all graduate students and faculty in the Department of Linguistics to your defense. You must provide the contact information for anyone else you want to receive the official invitation.

After your defense

The day after your defense, you will receive an email that outlines the next steps and final requirements for your degree.

For a more comprehensive overview of the PhD program, go to the detailed PhD timeline .

GEPA's Rules and Regulations guide will outline the specifics of the PhD completion process, including preparing for your defense, scheduling your defense, defending, and what happens afterwards. Formatting imformation can be found in the Dissertation Manual . 

Frequently asked questions

The topic of QP2 must be different from QP1 and it must be in a distinct subfield. For instance, it cannot be the case that both QPs are in formal semantics. The faculty will make a determination on a case-by-case basis whether a proposed QP2 is sufficiently distinct in terms of topic and subfield from QP1. We encourage students to discuss possible topics for QP2 with their advisor well in advance of the proposal, so the advisor can discuss any unclear cases with the rest of the faculty. The dissertation, however, can build upon a topic in one of your QPs.

If a student is registered for LING 999 in their fifth year, the dissertation fee is covered by GEPA as a part of the student's funding package, just as if the student were taking a normal course in their first four years.

After a student's fifth year, the dissertation fee associated with LING 999 will not be covered by GEPA and it will be the student's responsibility to cover this fee. Students can petition the department to cover this fee on their behalf, but only for one semester, after which, it will strictly be up to the student to pay.

GEPA firmly only allows PhD stipend funding and tuition coverage for five years. After that period, the financial package expires and PhD students must cover their own expenses.

It's not common practice for the department to cover dissertation fees after the initial five years , and it's expected that students will seek external funding for any year past the fifth one.

PhD funding packages last five full academic years. GEPA doesn't allow any exceptions for funding to be extended past the five years.

If you receive external funding within the first five years, that doesn't mean because the university isn't paying you that you can make up for those years afterwards. (i.e. if you receive a year of external funding during the first five years, you can't receive a year of university funding after the five years to make up for missing out on that one year of university funding.)

If you want funding for an additional year, you'd either have to get an extension on the external funding you received in your first five years when the time comes or try to find other external funding.

Online ABD (All But Dissertation) Doctoral Degree Completion Program

Are you an experienced educator who is abd (all but dissertion) in an edd or phd program   in any academic discipline.

If so, you have the experience. You’ve completed the coursework in a doctoral program. But, you haven’t completed your dissertation. Now, you have a path to leave your ABD (All But Dissertation) status behind with Gwynedd Mercy University.

Our innovative Accelerated Executive Doctorate of Education degree completion program for ABDs offers qualified candidates with significant educational experience the opportunity to finish developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to earn your EdD. The program is helmed by Raymond Bandlow, PhD, who received this prestigious award for innovation in higher education  from the American Association of University Administrators.

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Complete the form below and an admissions counselor will contact you to answer any questions and help as you assemble all the components of your admissions file.

Program Details

Prepare for an advanced career in teaching at the college level, school administration, research, or policy analysis. Our Online Accelerated Doctorate Completion Program for ABDs will strengthen your skills in instruction and leadership in:

• U.S. and international schools
• School districts
• Colleges and universities
• Educational policy organizations
• Government and nonprofit organizations that support education

In 18 months, our rigorous course of studies will honor your previous experience with the global outlook, research skills, policy analysis capabilities, instructional expertise, and practical executive leadership abilities you need to lead and transform educational institutions to meet the needs of all learners. 

Continue developing your dissertation in one of four areas of interest:

• Leadership in PreK-12 Schools and School Districts (superintendent letter of eligibility courses may be included)
• Leadership in Higher Education
• Leadership in Special Education (special education supervisory certification courses may be included)
• Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

ABDs in Education may elect any of the above areas of interest. ABDs in any discipline other than education may apply for the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education program.

All of your coursework for the ABD degree completion program, except residencies, will take place online. Those in the degree completion program are only required to take one weekend residency at our Gwynedd Valley campus, just north of Philadelphia.

From the very beginning, you’ll be matched with a faculty advisor who will meet with you in regular dissertation advisement sessions. With GMercyU, there’s no reason to wait any longer — trade up from ABD to EdD and take your place among the next generation of education leaders.

What You Will Learn - Accelerated Executive Doctorate of Education ABD Completion Program

As a GMercyU ABD doctorate graduate, you will be able to:

• Provide leadership in teaching and learning at the K-12 and college levels
• Articulate an educational organization’s mission, goals, and guiding principles that distinguish the organization from others
• Understand the foundational base of organizational theory and demonstrate the ability to bridge theory and practice
• Given scenarios of conflict, choose ethical courses of action, consistent with Gospel values
• Synthesize and analyze data to reveal relations and causality and convert raw data into actionable information
• View problems and challenges through the lens of a scientist, seeking evidence-based conclusions
• Practice and model steward leadership in transforming organizations to better serve all constituents
• Demonstrate facility in the application of technology to solve problems, analyze and synthesize data, and manage information

Personal Support for ABD Students from Day One

GMercyU faculty members understand the challenges of ABD completion programs. That’s why they’ve helped us develop a program specifically for ABD students like you. Right away, you’ll join a small cohort of classmates and be matched with a faculty advisor. You’ll take supervised dissertation courses early in the program to keep your research and writing on track. Day in and day out, you’ll have the support you need to pursue research that improves education for students and the educators who serve them.

After graduation, you’ll join our extensive national and world-wide network of alumni. The colleagues, contacts, and friends you meet will inspire you.

Admission Requirements – Doctorate of Education Degree Completion Program for ABDs

To qualify for admission to our EdD in Education Degree Completion program, you must provide:

• Proof of A.B.D. or Advanced to Doctoral Candidacy or equivalent status from a regionally accredited institution
• A portfolio of coursework, scholarship, and career evidence for the Prior Learning Assessment
• Official graduate transcripts
• A resume showing professional experience and academic scholarship
• Three letters of reference from persons in leadership roles in your chosen area of concentration attesting that you have the ability to engage in studies at the doctoral level and to conduct research
• A personal interview with a member of the graduate faculty representing the applicant’s preferred area of concentration (in person or via electronic means, if the distance is a factor) 
• Evidence that you have received a minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination if English is not your first language.

Applicants who cannot meet one or more of the above requirements are encouraged to contact the Program Director for a review of qualifications. After enrollment, you will also need to obtain a Child Abuse Clearance, Criminal Background Check, and Federal Criminal History.

Learn more about GMercyU's online and accelerated  financial aid and tuition. 

You must complete at least 27 credit hours of coursework and practicum experience at Gwynedd Mercy University while completing your EdD with us. We will carry out a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) before your program begins and develop tailored coursework and practicum experiences that respect your previous experiences.

The credit value of your practicum may vary between 3-6 credits depending upon the breadth and depth of your prior learning. In all, your program will take no more than 18 months to complete.   Required courses for all ABD completion students include:

In addition, you must take three courses in your concentration area:

If you wish to become eligible for a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires 360 hours of district office practicum. You may also need to take the following prerequisites:

Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Special Education

If you wish to obtain Certification as a Supervisor of Special Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires 360 hours of central office practicum experience. Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Higher Education

Doctorate in Education: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

To review course descriptions, please refer to the  graduate catalog.

Meet the Faculty

Carol Etlen, PhD Associate Professor and Director, Masters in Educational Administration Program Read bio

Doctorate in Education

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Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Learn more about  GMercyU's accreditation . You can also  view our current accreditation status . 

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All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) – Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree Completion Program

Description

The GTF has developed an accelerated completion program designed specifically for those individuals who have reached the All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) level at a graduate school of an accredited seminary or university. All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) indicates incompletion. According to statistical reports of the various state and government agencies monitoring higher education in the United States, there is an inordinately high percentage of individuals who fail to complete their Ph.D. work after having successfully sustained the doctoral qualifying examinations, completed language requirements, and fulfilled residency coursework. The phenomenon is particularly and disturbingly high in the cognate fields of theology and religious studies.  The A.B.D. Doctor of Philosophy degree completion program of the GTF is an attempt to address this issue. 

Admission Requirements

• Appropriate undergraduate and graduate degrees which allow for the pursuit of doctoral work.
• Completion of all residency requirements for the Ph.D. at a graduate school of religious studies, seminary, or university.
• Fulfillment of language requirements, if applicable, in compliance with the degree being pursued.
• Passing of any and all Ph.D. qualifying examinations in preparation for the writing of the thesis.
• Demonstration of good standing at previous All But Dissertation (A.B.D.) institution.
• Completion of Application Process . To be included in the application packet is a 3-5 page academic writing sample.

Program Requirements

• Completion of the Research Methodology non-credit course
• Nomination and approval of a Thesis Supervisor.
• Submission and approval of thesis proposal. 
• Submission of one electronic copy of the thesis and required forms (abstract, personal biography, cover sheet, Thesis Supervisor Report Form).
• Successful defense of the doctoral thesis.

When degrees first began to be awarded by universities in the twelfth century in Bologna, Paris, and Oxford, the doctor’s degree was recognized as a universal authentication of scholarship. The doctorate was not earned by attending classes but by sustained residency and demonstrated scholarship. The credential was awarded by the faculty of the university on the basis of a thesis which was submitted by the candidate and followed by an oral defense of the document before the gathered academic community.

Times have changed but much of the doctoral process has endured. The Graduate Theological Foundation requires a demonstration of academic research considered by the faculty to be an original work of scholarship and a contribution to the field. After the doctoral candidate has completed residency and language requirements (if required), the development of the thesis is initiated under the direct supervision of the Thesis Supervisor.

The Thesis Supervisor, in this style of learning, is specifically mandated to work closely with the candidate in the development of the thesis topic and through its evolving refinements leading to the finished product. The Thesis Supervisor is nominated by the candidate and approved Academic Affairs Committee, on the basis of academic qualifications at the doctoral level of training and experience.

Selection of Faculty Thesis Supervisor and Nomination Procedure

Students select a faculty member of the GTF to serve as Thesis Supervisor. This enables the student to receive helpful and pragmatic evaluative feedback from a member of the faculty in the developmental process of producing the doctoral thesis. The role of the faculty Thesis Supervisor is responsive and suggestive. The faculty person is encouraged to limit feedback to pragmatically helpful hints and suggestions and not to attempt any censorship of the thesis. The exercise of discretion with respect to time demands is very important for both the student and faculty member. The faculty Thesis Supervisor must give final approval of the student’s work by submitting the Thesis Supervisor Report Form.

• The student peruses the  Faculty Details page  and makes a selection.
• The student completes the Faculty Thesis Supervisor Nomination Form ( Forms ).
• Academic Affairs provides the nominated faculty member with the Faculty Thesis Supervisor Nomination Form.
• The selected faculty member notifies Academic Affairs of acceptance of student nomination.
• Academic Affairs informs the student and faculty member of relationship approval and contact information is provided. 
• Thesis Supervisor
• Two Defense Panel members
• Defense Chair
• Thesis Proposal
• Thesis Cover Sheet
• Abstract and Biographical Statement
• Thesis Supervisor Report Form answering the six key points within the thesis (this form is mailed directly to our offices by the Thesis Supervisor)
• One electronic copy of the thesis (PDF or MS Word format)
• Payment of all tuition and fees 
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• The Angelicum (The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas)
• Argosy University
• California Institute of Integral Studies
• Capella University
• City University of New York
• Columbia University
• Drew University
• Duke University
• Duquesne University
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Hebrew Union College
• Iliff School of Theology/University of Denver
• Loyola College
• Loyola University Chicago
• Michigan State University
• Northcentral University
• Nova Southeastern University
• The Ohio State University
• Seton Hall University
• St. Louis University
• Touro University
• University of Bridgeport
• University of Denver
• University of Malta
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Saint Thomas, Rome, Italy
• University of San Francisco
• University of Wyoming
• Vanderbilt University
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Walden University

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NC State Graduate School helps final stage doctoral students through Dissertation Completion Grant Program

Completing a doctoral dissertation is a significant milestone in one’s academic journey, but it often comes with challenges that can impede progress. To support doctoral candidates in their final stages of dissertation writing, the NC State Graduate School offers the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grant program . This program provides funding and intensive mentoring to students who are within six months of completing their dissertations, aiming to enhance the quality of the research and expedite the path to earning a doctoral degree.

By eliminating the need for additional assistantships or outside employment during the grant period, students can fully commit themselves to the task at hand.

“The dissertation completion grant provides doctoral students with financial, emotional, and writing support to cross the finish line. The small cohort sizes mean that recipients receive highly individualized coaching and form a community that helps them make progress on dissertations,” said Dr. Katie Homar, Director of Academic and Engineering Writing Support. “Through this program, doctoral students recognize their own strengths and learn new skills that also serve them beyond completing dissertations, fostering lifelong habits of mind for writing, productivity, and collaboration.” 

It’s an important program that provides a supportive space for grad students to acquire tools for finishing a dissertation from both a writing and mental health perspective. Finishing a dissertation is about so much more than just sitting down to write and this program is giving me the time and skills to not only finish my dissertation but also to learn how to form positive relationships with writing and stay motivated beyond my graduate degree.” – Morgan Maly, MS, Ph.D. Candidate Genetics Program

A total of 16 grants will be awarded to doctoral candidates in 2023-2024. Eight awards will be made for the period July 1 to December 31, 2023, and another eight awards made for the period January 1 to June 30, 2024. Students will receive a stipend in the amount of $10,000 during their grant period, which will be disbursed in monthly installments. In addition to the stipend, health insurance and tuition will be covered by the grant.

If you’d like to know more about the program and the nomination process for the January 1 cohort visit https://grad.ncsu.edu/student-funding/fellowships-and-grants/opportunities/doctoral-dissertation-completion-grants/  

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Dissertation Completion Program

The purpose of the Dissertation Completion Program is to support advanced graduate students in the final year of their dissertation or final creative project.

The program provides participants with:

• Private, quiet office spaces. Participants are allocated offices that are free from distractions and are customizable to suit individual needs.
• A welcoming, supportive work environment. Our administrative, research, and IT staff offer specialized services and expertise to assist with project completion. Participants are encouraged to use in-house amenities to reserve meeting rooms, utilize printing stations, and relax and recharge in break areas. Participants are also warmly invited to attend center events.
• Organized cohort meetings. Participants meet regularly to share project updates, discuss roadblocks and resources, and give and receive feedback. Meetings are also used for research workshops, networking opportunities, and professional development.
• Funding to support work. Participants may request up to $1,000 in funds to defray costs associated with research travel or development during program enrollment.

2023-2024 Program Participants

Application Information

Applications for the Dissertation Completion Program are currently closed. Applications for the next session are anticipated to open Fall 2024.

For more information on the PPC’s Dissertation Completion Program, please email: [email protected].

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DOCTORAL ALL BUT DISSERTATION (ABD)

Did you get to your dissertation and then have to put your Ph.D. on hold? Union Institute & University’s ABD or “All But Dissertation” program is perfect for you. This new program provides an opportunity for students who have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. at another institution, except their doctoral dissertation. Union Institute & University welcomes all applicants who have achieved this stature in their graduate education and whose work aligns with one of our areas of concentration. Now is the perfect time to finish earning your doctorate.

Total credits

Cost per credit hour

Next Start Date

FINISHING YOUR PH.D.

A number of factors may have inhibited your program completion - quite apart from intellectual potential. There are only a few programs in the country designed to streamline completion of the Ph.D. program for those who have made it to the dissertation stage.

• 9-12 credit hour program
• Full & part-time options
• *Hybrid program
• January & July start dates
• Complete your degree in as little as 3 years

*100% online classes with a one-week residency in Cincinnati at the start of each term.

The successful ABD student will take two advanced courses in their area of concentration - the dissertation literature review and the dissertation proposal. Both are offered in sequential semesters after which students undertake the dissertation, thus enabling completion in as little as two years.

PhD concentrations

Union's Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies focuses on four different concentrations described below.

About the Concentration in Educational Studies

Union’s Educational Studies (EDST) concentration is designed to prepare individuals to address the leading education issues through an integrative, holistic, and critical lens. Union’s strength is demonstrated by close collaboration with diverse disciplines engaged in today’s complex problems. The program stands in support of emergent activist scholars by reflecting voices of the global majority (including, but not limited to Black, Brown, Indigenous, Women, Gender fluid, LGBTQIA+, and neurocognitive diversity).

About the Concentration in Ethical & Creative Leadership

Union’s Ethical & Creative Leadership (ECL) concentration is unique in addressing all forms of leadership, stressing values and their application, cultivating one’s creative power and imagination, and connecting leadership philosophies to practical leadership experiences. ECL offers leaders an intellectual grasp of the makings of effective leadership in a diverse multicultural world, equips them with practical strategies and tools for various leadership roles and prepares them to tackle social justice challenges in their institutions and communities.

About the Concentration in Humanities & Culture

Union’s concentration in Humanities & Culture (HMC) allows you to study the human condition, explore creative ways to advance social justice and acknowledge differences among individuals and social groups. HMC draws on a variety of humanities fields – social and political philosophy, history, religious studies, literature, and aesthetics – that relate to social justice and cultural differences.

About the Concentration in Public Policy & Social Change

Union’s Public Policy & Social Change (PPS) concentration prepares students to critically re-examine the principles and values that undergird the public policy process. PPS challenges students to critically interrogate governmental policies through the lens of ethical leadership, creative problem-solving, social justice, diversity, and global interdependence. Students develop multifaceted expertise through courses such as policy processes, policy analysis, conflict resolution, community development, democratic theory, human rights, and global studies.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must provide:

• All graduate transcripts from accredited institutions, showing award of the master’s degree and subsequent training.
• Documentation of doctoral program completion except for the dissertation by the Registrar or a faculty member affiliated with the prior program.
• Two letters of recommendation, including one reference from someone who holds a Ph.D. (Starting with our January 2022 term, we will require three letters of recommendation).
• A Statement of Purpose which describes the intended dissertation topic, identifies the preferred concentration (HMS, PPS, ECL, or EDST), outlines the circumstances which led to the interruption in doctoral training, and discusses the applicant’s currency in research topics related to the planned dissertation.
• Formal course descriptions for all prior training that supports the selected concentration must also be submitted. If the prior program requires a Comprehensive Exam for doctoral students, that step must have been successfully completed prior to making an application to the Union doctoral program.

Applicants should consult the catalog for the area of concentration requirements. Students whose primary doctoral training is in the biological or physical sciences cannot be considered. Students with credits earned outside the U.S. should have their course work reviewed by AICE or NACES.

Admissions Review Process

The application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. If materials are deemed appropriate for the next step, the applicant will be interviewed by a member of the Admissions Committee or their designee. If admission is recommended, the course history will be reviewed in light of particular concentration requirements. The admission letter will stipulate which of Union's courses must be completed. Admission may be provisional (to be reassessed after one year), or without condition. Initial review will occur within 48 hours of receipt. 

PROGRAM COMPLETION

Ordinarily, the successful “ABD” applicant will take 850 and 860 courses in their area of concentration in sequential semesters, then undertake the dissertation, thus enabling completion in four semesters. If core learning areas are deemed insufficient in the particular concentration, additional courses may be required. The applicant who has completed a recent dissertation proposal may petition the Dean to waive the 850-course requirement and begin with 860. Students must attend at least one residency, nominate a dissertation Chair who agrees to serve in that role, form a dissertation committee, pass the proposal defense, conduct the dissertation, and pass the dissertation defense. Academic progress is a condition of subsequent term registration.

Dissertation Information and Examples

The program supports a variety of formats for doctoral dissertations, including theoretical, historical, and interpretive research, social action research projects, empirical research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, and creative dissertations. Below are some examples from each concentration

Education Justice & Equity:

• Hopson, J. (2021).  Texas A&M university system website analysis: Disability and diversity 
• Madry, T. S. (2020). Mentoring: A Leadership Tool for Black Greek Fraternities.
• Maples, G.L. (2019). Surviving the Invisible Wounds of War: As Told by the Unseen Heroes.
• Bolton, D. (2018).  Motivating African American Male Readers Through Mentorship.

Ethical & Creative Leadership:

• Crudup, Larry Terrell (2021). Walk Together Children: Black Congregational Leadership-as-Social Ethic .
• Worthen, Merritt (2020). Showing Faith through Work(s): Examining how Christian-Based Businesses are Practicing Faith in a Materialistic Society .
• Bradbury, Douglas S. (2019) . Quantum Reconciliation: A Framework for Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Inescapable Mutuality . ”
• Washington, Michael A. (2019) . Prince Hall Masonic Order Leader and Leadership Development .

Humanities & Culture:

• François, Emery (2021). The Beauty and the Strife: A Memoir of Haiti and Her Legacy in the United States .
• White, Tamara (2020). Visually Representing Diabetes Management for Incarcerated Women in California: A Creative Dissertation .
• Reinstatler, Michelle L. (2019). Becoming Legend: Constructing Paranormal Experience and Cultural Performance in Ghost-Hunting Reality TV shows and Recreational Ghost Hunting .
• Johnson, Jr., James L.  (2018). Sympathy for the Devil: Thawing the Ego and Fostering Empathy through a Theory of Lacanian Reader-response.

Public Policy & Social Change:

• Lewis, Jacinda (2020).   Exploring sex offenders’ experiences through the lens of social justice .
• Nauta, Carmen (2019). Understanding the challenges to lactation initiation and duration among low-income WIC participants in the South Bronx: A phenomenological study
• Rojas, Gina Augon (2018). Navigating Contested Terrain: A Critical Case Study of Guam’s Chamorro Land Trust Residential Land Lease Program.

FINANCIAL AID

All resources available to students who begin the Ph.D. program at Union will be available to “ABD” students unless the length of enrollment at the university is a criterion for a particular scholarship.

Funding Your Future

Explore your financial aid & scholarship options. We strive to make college affordable. See what makes Union the best value.

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Doctorate of Business Administration

• Business Administration (DBA-ABD)
• Graduate Studies
• College of Business

Program Highlights

Complete your dissertation and dba with our doctor of business administration all but dissertation (abd) option..

Data indicates that only 56% of doctoral students have graduated 10 years after starting their programs. Completion rates are even lower for women (37%) and minority students (6%), according to PhD Completion and Attrition: Analysis of Baseline Program Data, Council of Graduate Schools, 2008. Withdrawal often occurs in the transition from course work to the dissertation research phase of programs due to the lack of mentor support, inconsistent standards and expectations, and a timed structure.

Why students choose Baker College for their ABD-DBA:

• Program is disciplined and structured to ensure quality and timely completion
• Supported with strong mentors (DBA chairs) who guide the student as the “instructor” for the dissertation process
• Step by step guidelines and templates for the dissertation and evaluation.
• Process is project based providing students with a familiar business driven structure.

With a Baker College ABD-DBA students will:

• Be able to move beyond standard managerial positions and into positions such as business consultant, analyst, C-level executive (CEO, CIO, CMO, etc.) or business operation specialist.
• Start a career in academia by teaching business classes at colleges and universities.
• Have a chance to develop these higher-level skills without having to put your career on hold.

Credit Hours

Years (avg.), learn your way.

Business Administration - ABD classes are taught exclusively through Baker Online.

Why Business Administration?

In the online DBA ABD option program, you’ll have the education and skills it takes to solve problems at the very highest level of a business. Students may choose from six areas of specialization or design their own specialized fields of study. After earning your DBA, a whole new world of career opportunities will be open to you.

Career Facts

Median yearly income, outlook 2018–2028, median salary for executives.

The Baker College Doctor of Business Administration online program is a 1+-year program consisting of 28 credit hours to satisfy dissertation requirements only. Our curriculum includes a dissertation research problem and question, a doctoral specialization seminar and six dissertation courses.

Sample Courses

Defining the dissertation research problem and research question, doctoral specialization seminar i, dissertation i, additional requirements.

Students who have 32 semester credits from an accredited doctoral program can apply for advanced standing in the All But Dissertation (ABD) Option.

To apply to the DBA ABD Option, you simply submit an official transcript verifying that you have completed a minimum of 32 semester credits or equivalent in a regionally accredited doctoral program, along with a resume including your educational and professional experience. You will also submit a writing sample from your previous doctoral work.

Program Outcomes

Our quality-focused, market-driven, and rigorous program curricula will establish and enhance core business knowledge and the ability to anticipate and react to societal changes, as well as provide students with technological proficiency, the ability to make ethical decisions, and the communication skills that embody the professional acumen graduates need to make positive contributions to their chosen fields.

How Does The Baker College ABD Option Work?

Admission requirements.

To apply to the Doctor of Business Administration All-But-Dissertation (DBA ABD Option), you simply submit an official transcript verifying that you have completed a minimum of 32 semester credits or equivalent in a regionally accredited doctoral program, along with a resume including your educational and professional experience. You will also submit a writing sample from your previous doctoral work.

Faculty Mentor

Once you’re admitted into the ABD Option, you will be paired with an experienced faculty mentor who will serve as your dissertation chair and will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the dissertation process.

Dissertation Milestones

You will begin by completing an individual learning plan with your faculty mentor, which will include the specific milestones required to complete your dissertation and earn your doctoral degree. Next, you will develop a prospectus that includes all the major components of your doctoral dissertation, from a statement of the research problem and research questions to a description of your research design and the methods you plan to employ.

With the support of your faculty mentor and dissertation committee, you will develop a draft dissertation proposal. Once your proposal is approved, you will begin to collect and analyze data and, ultimately, complete your dissertation. At this point, your dissertation will go through a form and style review, and you will present your results orally over the phone to the committee. If your dissertation meets all requirements, you will submit your dissertation for publication to Proquest.

Time to Degree

You will be required to complete a minimum of 28 credits. Typically, students complete the dissertation in 1.5–2 years.

You will have access to a number of resources. For instance, in addition to your faculty mentor, dissertation committee, and other university staff who will be there to guide and assist you, Baker’s online ABD Option gives you access to a vast online library.

If you’ve been a part of a doctoral program but were not able to complete your dissertation, the all-but-dissertation program can help you finally earn your doctoral degree. It’s an amazing opportunity to reach a lifelong goal.

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission / 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411 / 800-621-7440 / www.hlccommission.org .

On Campus Unavailable

Core courses for this degree program are not offered on campus.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available on campus each semester.

Available on Baker Online

Courses for this degree program are available through Baker Online.

100% online, this format offers flexible scheduling with 8-week semesters

Unavailable on Online Live

Core courses for this degree program are not offered through Online Live.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available through Online Live each semester.

Contact us today to speak with a Baker admissions expert.

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DISSERTATION

A Central Resource for Crafting Your Dissertation

A dissertation is the culminating, integrative, scholarly experience of doctoral study. The purpose of the dissertation research is to: (a) make an original contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s field of specialization, (b) demonstrate an advanced command of research skills, and (c) demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate findings.

The stated information applies to all GSEHD doctoral degree programs, but each doctoral program may also have additional considerations. Please be sure to contact your program faculty for additional program-specific information.

Your Student Success Coach can answer questions about your doctoral studies or direct you to appropriate and helpful resources across the university. For more information, contact the Office of Student Success at [email protected] or 202-994-9283.

Due Dates/Timeline

Assembling Committee

Dissertation Proposal

Research Phase

Complete Written Dissertation

Oral Defense

Dissertation Defense Calendar

Final Submission Steps

Support/Resources

 Dissertation Due Dates & Timelines

Please note: The posted due dates below are driven by the university’s ProQuest submission deadlines (the date by which the university requires you to submit the final, approved version of your dissertation in order to graduate). The date of your ProQuest submission determines your graduation semester, regardless of when you defend.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Dannels, Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, at [email protected] .

   Summer 2024 Due Dates at a Glance

The following pathways apply for the summer 2024 semester only, and exceptions or extensions will not be granted.

• View a list of all required materials >
• July 19 : Last day to defend for a summer 2024 graduation
• In order to graduate this semester, all final steps must be completed and your final document must be uploaded to ProQuest by August 15 at 5pm. Please be aware this is a fixed deadline, so you will have less time to make your final edits if you choose a later defense date.
• If you do not submit your final dissertation before the ETD deadline, you will have to wait until the next semester to graduate.
• August 15 : Last day to hold a defense during the summer semester (materials due 30 days in advance)

A student who is unable to meet the deadline for summer graduation may still submit materials and/or defend later in the summer semester as a fall 2024 graduate.

Any student submitting materials between July 20 and August 15, and/or defending between July 20 and August 15, will be a fall 2024 graduate and eligible to enroll in Continuous Enrollment (CE), a zero-credit, no-cost option, for the fall 2024 semester. This option is designed to allow students greater financial flexibility as they plan their defense timelines. ( Please note: international students living in the US are not eligible for CE; instead, they may take a reduced course load.)

You are not required to follow timeline 2 in order to graduate in fall 2024, unless you wish to enroll in CE (or for international students, a reduced course load). A student who submits materials after August 15 can still defend and graduate in the fall 2024 semester, but will enroll in and pay for normal dissertation research credits.

Steps for Dissertation Research

 step 1: assemble dissertation committee.

The dissertation committee guides the candidate in development of the dissertation research proposal, makes final judgments about the adequacy of the proposal, is available for consultation during the research work, guides the candidate in preparation of the dissertation document, and decides when the dissertation is ready for defense. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain regular contact with their chair and meet deadlines for drafts or deliverables.

• The three-member dissertation committee includes a dissertation chair and two additional committee members.
• The committee is formally constituted when all three members have signed a Dissertation Committee Membership form and submitted it to the Office of Student Life.
• Prior to the dissertation defense, two additional examiners join the committee.

Your primary advisor might serve as chair of the committee, or another faculty member may assume that position. The chair does not vote at the time of oral defense.

The role of the dissertation committee chair is to :

• Guide the candidate in the preparation of the dissertation proposal, including specification of the research problem, the literature review that helps point the way toward the research, the questions or hypotheses for investigation, and the methodology.
• Guide the candidate in selection of two additional committee members.
• Establish procedures regarding proposal development and dissertation draft review.
• Provide guidance on the research proposal structure and content and set clear expectations for timely completion of the proposal.
• Provide guidance on the dissertation structure and content and set clear expectations for high quality writing.
• Set clear expectations for timely completion and guide the candidate toward achieving a high level of quality (technical and ethical) in the dissertation research and document.
• In consultation with the candidate, select additional examiners (i.e., readers) for the oral defense of the dissertation.
• Prepare the candidate for the oral defense process.
• Encourage the candidate to publish their dissertation after successful completion.

The dissertation committee chair must have the following qualifications:

• Hold an earned academic doctorate.
• Hold a GSEHD regular faculty appointment, either full- or part-time (visiting faculty not permitted). Selection of dissertation chairs who do not hold a regular faculty appointment or are outside the program area require approval by the Dean’s Office. In this case, a member of the candidate’s program faculty must participate as a member of either the research committee or the examining committee at the point of defense.
• Have expertise that matches the candidate’s topic area.
• Have an active research agenda as characterized by the departmental personnel guidelines.
• Either (a) have experience serving as a member in no fewer than two dissertation committees, including the defense of the dissertation, or (b) in the absence of such experience, be mentored by an experienced GSEHD dissertation chair selected by the faculty member’s department chair.

What happens if your chair retires or departs GSEHD?

Emeritus and departing faculty may continue to serve as the dissertation chair for a period of two years, if the student has an approved proposal at the time of their departure. After two years, the student must reconstitute the dissertation committee by selecting a new chair.

The role of the two other dissertation committee members is to guide the candidate, in conjunction with the chair, through development of their independent research and the achievement of a high-quality product and oral defense. Both are voting members at the time of oral defense.

These committee members must have the following qualifications:

• Hold an earned academic doctorate, or an earned terminal degree, and a faculty appointment for at least one year prior to joining the committee.
• Have expertise that matches the candidate’s topic area and research.
• Among the chair and the two committee members, at least one is to be knowledgeable about the methodology to be used in the dissertation research and designated as taking responsibility for guiding the research methodology.
• It is strongly recommended that one committee member come from outside the candidate’s home program; he or she may also come from outside of GSEHD and even outside of GW. Check with your program to see their requirements for committee membership.
• Committee members must not have a relationship with the candidate that poses a potential conflict of interest (for example, serving as the candidate’s job supervisor, friend, or colleague).
• If not a current GW regular-status member, a copy of the committee member’s curriculum vitae must be submitted to the Office of Student Life.

If you need to substitute a committee member:

To make a change in committee membership after it has been formally constituted via the Dissertation Committee Membership form , the chair, the candidate, and the committee members being dropped and added should sign a memorandum indicating their concurrence with the requested change and send the memorandum to the Office of Student Life.

Please note that committee members generally require a reasonable amount of time to review drafts and provide feedback, particularly if they receive a draft during certain times of the year. With that in mind, please discuss deadlines and schedules with your committee in advance.

Two additional examiners (voting) are selected by the dissertation chair on the basis of their expertise and interest in the candidate's topic area, and must:

• Hold a doctorate for at least one year prior to the defense.
• Have a professional background and experience that is relevant to the candidate's topic area.
• Not have a relationship with the candidate that might pose a conflict of interest.
• If not a current GW faculty member, a copy of their curriculum vitae must be submitted to the Office of Student Life.

    Key Action Items:

• Form 3-person committee
• Submit Dissertation Committee Membership form

  Step 2: Draft and Defend Your Dissertation Proposal

Your dissertation proposal forms a working plan that is used by you and the committee to guide the research, evaluate progress, and provide ongoing feedback.

• Your dissertation committee will provide guidance/approval to proceed with research following a dissertation proposal defense, as detailed below.
• Please note: You will not collect data during this phase. As noted by the GW Office of Human Research policies, you may not begin actual data collection until you have all the necessary written approvals following the proposal defense . Noncompliance may result in a prohibition against the use of the data in your dissertation and possibly misconduct charges.

   The GSEHD Dissertation Content and Style Guide provides an in-depth description of each section included within a dissertation. Please note, these are guidelines only and alternative formats may be allowed, with permission .

Content : The dissertation proposal should include those elements normally found in Chapters 1 to 3 and the References of the dissertation. It should state the research questions, position the expected research in the existing literature, indicate expected results, outline the structure of the dissertation, and indicate the time frame for carrying out the research tasks. Under certain circumstances, the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies may allow approval of a proposal with less information with a formal request .

Style/Formatting : The proposal should be prepared according to a recognized scholarly format, usually the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Seventh Edition). University Formatting Requirements apply to the font type and size, page margins, page numbering, page order and line spacing for the entire document and to the content and formatting of the front pages. The chair of your dissertation committee and the instructor of your Pre-Dissertation Seminar (8998) will also provide guidelines for the proposal.

Styles for formatting bibliographies, footnotes, and/or endnotes should be consistent with the chosen style used to format the body of your document. For more information on citation styles and citation tools, visit GW's Writing Styles webpage. The GW Libraries provide free access to RefWorks , a cloud-based tool for organizing your research and creating bibliographies.

Template : Download the GSEHD Dissertation Title Page to Abstract Page template.

• Under the Review tab, click on "Restrict Editing."
• A dialogue window will open on the right side of the screen.
• Uncheck "Highlight the regions I can edit."
• The square parenthesis will be removed.
• Example: Download a Dissertation Sample Format (GSEHD) . This is for illustrative purposes only. Do not use it as a template.

Direct questions about school-specific guidelines to [email protected] .

Proposal Approval Process

First: defend dissertation proposal.

Before conducting dissertation research, your research proposal must be reviewed in an open forum (the proposal defense) and approved by your dissertation committee.

The committee has a responsibility to review the proposal and ensure that it will produce worthwhile and high-quality research.

The proposal defense is an informal proceeding, and the format is at the discretion of the dissertation chair. Please ask your chair for a briefing on the format.

During the defense, you may be asked about your rationale for certain aspects of the proposal, asked for more details about the literature or the proposed methods, or challenged about the appropriateness of proposed procedures. Your competency with the research methods will be assessed. During this consultation, the committee might suggest, and sometimes require, changes to improve the research. Those changes may be reviewed by the full committee or just the chair, depending on their feedback and directions.

Please work with your dissertation chair to schedule your proposal defense, as each program has different policies regarding when and how proposal defenses take place.

Note: Students must be enrolled in courses in the semester in which they defend their proposal.

Formal approval is indicated by committee members’ signatures on the Dissertation Proposal Approval form . This form, along with the CV of any committee member who is not on the GSEHD faculty, must be submitted to the Office of Student Life ( [email protected] ) to become an official part of your academic record.

Next: Obtain Permission to Collect Data after the Proposal Defense

Following an approved proposal defense, you must determine if your study requires Office of Human Research (OHR) / Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and seek appropriate approval to proceed with research.

The Office of Human Research assesses whether (a) the proposed research will expose human participants to risks, (b) practical precautions have been taken to minimize and inform the participants of those risks, and (c) the remaining risks are justified by the potential benefits of the research.

You are not authorized to collect data for your dissertation until you have received OHR/IRB approval.

This section outlines the IRB process. Before submitting a proposal to the IRB, the student (and chair or whoever is acting as the PI for the study) must complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training .

Step 1 Signed Dissertation Proposal Approval Form is submitted to [email protected]

Step 2 Determine if your study requires IRB approval (see below)

Step 3 If IRB approval is needed, work with dissertation chair to submit forms via the online GW iRIS system

Step 4 Dissertation chair, and then departmental rep review and approve via GW iRIS system

Step 5 OHR reviews and approves via GW iRIS system

Note: You will use the online GW iRIS system to submit all required documentation to get your study approved by IRB.

To determine if your study requires IRB review, submit a Human Research Determination form in the GW iRIS system.

• If it is determined that your research does not warrant IRB oversight, complete the Certification of Research Exclusion form and submit it to IRB.
• If your study requires IRB approval, please work with your dissertation chair to prepare and submit your electronic IRB approval forms via the GW iRIS system.

The Office of Human Research may communicate directly with you to ask for further clarifications or additional protections for human participants.

If you do not receive approval , you should consult with your dissertation committee chair about how to proceed.

If you need to make changes to your study after it has been approved, you must file a request with the IRB to modify your study. No modifications can be made until you receive approval.

Students who have an IRB designation of “expedited” or “full review” must submit a Continuing Review form to the Office of Human Research every 12 months.

• Download the GSEHD Dissertation Content and Style Guide for reference
• Draft Proposal
• Work with chair to schedule proposal defense
• Submit Dissertation Proposal Approval form
• If no IRB oversight required, complete Certification of Research Exclusion form
• If IRB approval is required, work with chair to submit required forms via iRIS system

  Step 3: Enter the Research Phase

Once you have received approval from your dissertation committee and OHR/IRB, you may enter the research/data collection phase of the project.

Candidates will enroll in CNSL, CPED, EDUC, HOL, SEHD, or SPED 8999 while conducting dissertation research. Candidates will take a minimum of 12 and maximum of 24 credits of 8999 , at a rate of three or six credit hours each fall and spring semester, until they successfully defend their dissertation or reach a total of 24 credits. Summer registration is optional.

After completing 24 credit hours of 8999, candidates can register for one credit hour of Continuing Doctoral Research (CNSL, CPED, EDUC, HOL, SEHD, or SPED 0940) each fall and spring semester until they defend their dissertations. Registration in 0940 for dissertation research is not permitted until you have completed 24 credits of 8999.

Half- or Full-Time Certification : GSEHD can certify students as half- or full-time while they are enrolled in Dissertation Research using a Half-Time/Full-Time Certification Form . For most forms of financial assistance, this will make you eligible to either receive aid or defer previous loans. Please work with the Financial Aid Office to confirm that this applies to your situation. GSEHD can also certify international students as full-time for visa purposes while they are enrolled in Dissertation Research; please reach out to the International Services Office for more information.

• Enroll in CNSL, CPED, EDUC, HOL, SEHD, or SPED 8999
• Submit Half-Time/Full-Time Certification Form if needed
• Conduct Research

  Step 4: Complete Written Dissertation

Continue building on your dissertation proposal, using the same template and formatting ( as detailed again below ).

The GSEHD Dissertation Content and Style Guide provides an in-depth description of each section included within a dissertation.

• Please note, these are guidelines only and alternative formats are permitted, with permission. Write the body of the manuscript (chapters, bibliography and appendices) in a style appropriate for your field of study or GSEHD's school-specific guidelines.
• University formatting requirements apply to the font type and size, page margins, page numbering, page order and line spacing for the entire document and to the content and formatting of the front pages.
• Ensure that your document is accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities, by following standard guidelines. Learn more about creating an accessible dissertation >

In addition, you are required to use a recognized scholarly format for the dissertation, typically the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Seventh Edition).

When planning a thesis defense, keep in mind university ProQuest submission deadlines , the time that the examining committee requires to read the thesis, as well as time needed after the defense for revisions. You'll want to begin planning with your committee to determine the timeline for review/approval in order to meet your desired graduation date and the associated deadlines.

Start with your final deadline and back up from there to determine a deadline for each step. Work with your chair/committee to determine availability and feasibility and set firm dates.

• Start with the ProQuest submission deadline for the semester you plan to graduate. We strongly recommend that you upload your dissertation at least one week prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to make any required formatting changes to your document.
• Work with your committee to schedule the date for your oral examination ( note the "last day to defend" deadline ), ensuring there is enough time to make any needed edits before the ProQuest deadline. ( If you do not submit your final dissertation before this deadline, you will have to wait until the next semester to graduate .)
• The final dissertation and Request for Dissertation Defense Form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the desired defense date .
• The committee must review and approve the written dissertation document before you can submit the request form. You'll want to allow at least 30 days for the committee to review your proposed final draft, provide their feedback, make needed edits, and complete the cycle as needed.
• This timeline should provide the date that you need to have your finalized draft completed. You might work with your chair to set milestones and deadlines throughout the writing process as well.

If your dissertation includes extended quotations, published scales or tests, or other material owned by others, be sure to seek permission from the author(s) or publisher ( view sample letter ).

If you intend to use your own previous or future publications , including co-authored works, the publisher must grant you permission, and it may impact your ETD publishing options.

Find additional information about your rights and responsibilities in ProQuest’s copyright guide .

It is recommended that you begin considering several publication issues, such as copyrighting your work and copyright compliance, creative commons licenses, publishing options, etc., before you are ready to submit your final draft.

Because obtaining copyright permissions takes time, start this process long before you are ready to submit your manuscript to the ProQuest ETD Administrator. For guidance on copyright, direct your questions to the Libraries’ Compliance Officer.

Learn more about preparing for publication >

• Determine Final Deadlines/Timeline
• Complete written dissertation
• Begin preparing for final submission

  Step 5: Defend Your Dissertation in an Oral Examination

Once your dissertation document is completed and approved by your committee, you will complete an Oral Examination (AKA Oral Defense or Dissertation Defense). This is a formal presentation and examination of your research and findings to a five-member committee. You will demonstrate your competency and understanding of the subject matter and the significance of your research contribution, as well as your ability to think critically, respond to questions, and engage in scholarly discourse with experts in the field. The committee will determine if the dissertation is acceptable and whether you satisfactorily defended it.

In order to defend, students must:

Submit all dissertation materials at least 30 days in advance of the defense and by the posted deadlines .

Have completed all program requirements, including at least 12 credits of dissertation research (8999), and successfully defended their proposal (IPGs in 0940, 8998, and 8999 are permitted).

Be registered and in good academic standing in the semester of defense.

Students will usually be registered in 8999 or 0940 during their defense. They may also occasionally be registered in Continuous Enrollment (CE), a zero-credit, zero-cost option.

Not have an active academic standing or time limit hold on their account. If students do have one of these holds, they must appeal to PMAC to either resolve the academic standing issue or receive a time extension before becoming eligible to defend.

Receive approval from their chair and committee that the dissertation document is ready to defend.

Step 1 : If you have met the above requirements and your committee has approved your written dissertation document, you must submit the Request for Dissertation Oral Examination .

• Dissertation Approval Form
• CVs of any committee members who are not current GW faculty members, if not previously submitted
• Once the dissertation is submitted to the Office of Student Life, no changes can be made to the document before the oral examination.
• Please note, these materials must be submitted in full at least 30 days before your dissertation defense. Partial submissions cannot be accepted.
• -OR- For students following timeline 2, submit a Continuous Enrollment Form for the following semester to [email protected] , then submit the application to graduate by that semester's deadline.

Students can choose between two formats to defend their dissertation:

A virtual defense, which will be conducted via a scheduled Webex meeting.

An in-person defense, which will be conducted on either the Foggy Bottom or VSTC campus.

During an in-person defense, no more than one committee member may participate virtually, and the candidate and the chair must be present at the site of the examination.

The dissertation oral examination is in an open meeting that is publicly announced ( see the calendar below ). Guests may attend, and you may wish to attend another student’s defense before your own to familiarize yourself with the format. Please notify the candidate if you plan to attend a defense.

The dissertation oral examination committee includes five members:

The dissertation committee chair (nonvoting)

The two other committee members

Two additional examiners (The dissertation chair contacts and secures the additional examiners.)

If desired, the student can ask an additional GSEHD faculty member to participate as a nonvoting, non-questioning presider. Students may choose to do so if there is a faculty member who they would like to be involved without taking on official committee duties.

All committee members and examiners must agree on a date, time, and format (in-person or virtual) for the defense.

See the " committee " section above for additional details and requirements.

Presider : One of the committee members, other than the chair, will serve as the presider. The presider directs the defense using the instructions set forth in the Presider Memo (linked below).

The committee member serving as presider may be an active examiner, participating in the questioning of the candidate and the votes.

-OR- The presider may not be a member of the examining committee and are present solely to moderate. (They do not have a voting or examining role.)

The presider must be a GSEHD faculty member (tenure track, contract, or visiting).

   Download the Presider Memo for an In-Person Defense >    Download the Presider Memo for a Virtual Defense >

Chair Responsibilities :

Assist candidate in completing and submitting the following forms to the Office of Student Life at least 30 calendar days in advance of the dissertation defense and in agreement with all specified deadlines .

Request for Dissertation Oral Examination form (online form)

Dissertation Approval Form (submitted through online form above). Before signing the Dissertation Approval Form, committee members should be satisfied that the document is ready to defend. Once the dissertation is submitted to the Office of Student Life, no changes can be made to the document before the oral examination.

The chair, usually in collaboration with the candidate, is to arrange for additional examiners to join the committee and arrange a date and time for the oral examination. These steps are indicated on the Request for Dissertation Oral Examination form.

Doctoral Candidate Responsibilities :

Submit all materials via the Request for Dissertation Oral Examination form online at least 30 calendar days in advance of your dissertation defense and in agreement with all specified deadlines . ( see "eligibility" section above for more information )

Distribute copies of the final dissertation to the members of the examining committee at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the oral examination.

Office of Student Life Responsibilities :

Review the student’s academic history and report any discrepancies to the student. Any remaining grades of “IPG” in 8998, 8999, or 0940 will be converted to grades of “credit” as part of the review process.

Review the membership of the proposed dissertation oral examination committee for compliance with GSEHD regulations.

Make logistical arrangements for the defense by reserving the physical room or creating the virtual meeting.

Set-up of the room

Candidate and chairperson at one end of table, presider at other end, examiners along sides, any observers along walls.

Examination Session

Open the examination by indicating name of the candidate and degree

Statement of the purpose of the examination, which is to determine whether the dissertation is acceptable and whether the candidate satisfactorily defends it.

These decisions will be made at the conclusion of the examination by the four examiners. (The chair is present but does not participate in the examination or the decision.)

Permit the candidate to make a brief introductory statement

Keep the statement to about five minutes (optional). It is not necessary to summarize the content of the dissertation. Tell the examiners anything that may be helpful to them in understanding the research, your background, or the relationship between the two.

Each examiner will be given an opportunity to introduce questions. Once a question has been introduced, any other examiner who is interested in the same general area may feel free to enter the questioning at that point.

It is hoped that the initial questioning will proceed expeditiously enough that there will be an opportunity for a second round.

Decision Period

The candidate and all observers will leave the room, or enter a breakout room if the defense is being conducted virtually, while the committee considers the acceptability of the dissertation document.

The committee will discuss their decision. There will be a motion, and when that motion is seconded, a vote will take place. Two negative votes defeat a motion.

After decision is made – bring the candidate and guests back into the room and announce the results.

At the conclusion of the examination phase of the defense, the candidate and all observers are asked to leave the room while the committee considers the acceptability of both the dissertation defense and the dissertation document.

Possible decisions:

Accept : All errors are corrected, and recommendations which had consensus in the course of the examination are incorporated. The examiners delegate to the chairperson the responsibility for seeing that this is done.

Accept conditionally : Any examiner who cares to do so may withhold his or her approval until the revised document has been submitted to him or her and is approved.

Reject conditionally : The examiners establish conditions under which the dissertation may be reconsidered and accepted. This may or may not include another oral exam.

Reject : The dissertation is judged totally unacceptable. The candidate has no alternative except to produce a new study, if permitted to continue.

If the dissertation defense is successful , the student must make any required edits and submit the final version of the document to ProQuest before the ETD deadline . ( see " final steps " section below for more information ).

A student who is unable to make the required revisions before the deadline may enroll in Continuous Enrollment (CE)* in the subsequent semester to finish and submit the revisions. If the revisions are accepted, the student will graduate that semester. A student who does not have final committee approval for the dissertation within two semesters will be terminated from the doctoral program.

*Please note: CE status, a zero-credit option, is limited to two semesters. International students living in the US are not eligible for CE and should enroll in 0940 if they require an additional semester to make edits to their dissertation document.

If the dissertation document is acceptable but the oral defense is unsuccessful , the student may request a second oral defense. On the second attempt, a student must pass the oral defense and have the dissertation voted acceptable by the committee. If the student fails both oral defenses, the student is automatically removed from the doctoral program, and must appeal to the Post-Master’s Appeals Committee for reinstatement if interested in continuing.

• Enroll in 8999 or 0940 course or CE for semester
• Receive approval from chair/committee to proceed with defense via Dissertation Approval Form
• Submit Request for Dissertation Oral Examination and all required documentation and distribute copies of final dissertation to examining committee (at least 30 days before defense)
• Submit Application for Graduation -or- Continuous Enrollment Form for next semester

 Scheduled Dissertation Defenses

• Once a defense has been scheduled, it will be placed on the calendar below.
• Guests may attend, but please notify the candidate if you plan to attend a defense.

 Step 6: Final Steps Following Dissertation Oral Exam

Once you have successfully completed the oral defense, you must:

• Work with chair to make edits : Make any final edits to the document based on your committee’s feedback, and, if necessary, obtain approval/signatures from committee members.
• Decide whether you want to copyright your work : GW generally discourages students from copyrighting their dissertation unless the research has some commercial value. Please see the GW Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Best Practices for more information regarding open access vs. traditional publishing and copyright. Direct questions to the Libraries’ Compliance Officer. ProQuest will assess a $95 fee for open access publishing.
• Submit Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Approval Form : After your chair/committee approves the final draft, both you and your chair must sign the ETD Approval Form and submit it to [email protected] . If you do not yet have an ETD submission number when you are filling out the form, you may leave that item blank.
• Doctoral Candidates Only, Complete the Certification Page (this replaces the signature page in the electronic document): Insert it in the electronic dissertation immediately after the title page ( view sample ). Fill in the date of your dissertation defense and the names and professorial titles of the members of your committee (Only include your dissertation director(s) and the two readers who are members of the core research proposal committee).
• A dissertation or thesis should only be uploaded AFTER the faculty adviser has signed off on the final, approved version of the thesis or dissertation.
• The Steps in ETD Submission website will guide you through the process of electronically submitting your dissertation to ProQuest.
• The document must be converted to a PDF before uploading. Be sure to check your PDF page by page to make sure the conversion worked correctly with no missing pages, errors in images or fonts, etc. Refer to ProQuest's tips on preparing manuscripts , including how to embed fonts in your document.
• Submit the completed ETD Access Approval Form to [email protected] when you have uploaded your dissertation to ProQuest.
• We strongly recommend that you upload your thesis or dissertation at least one week prior to the ETD Approval Deadline to allow sufficient time to make any required formatting changes to your document. (Note: a single formatting review takes about 2 business days to complete. If you have substantial formatting edits to make, this approval process can take several business days.)
• ProQuest’s instructions for revising and re-submitting your manuscript appear on their page ETD Administrator: FAQs .
• View the ETD Approval Workflow for an overview of the process.
• To check the status of your submission, log into your ETD Account and click on the tab labeled My ETDs. The status is displayed as a hyperlink next to the Status field.
• Submit Survey of Earned Doctorates : The University requires students to submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) before clearing you for graduation. Please complete the questionnaire online and send your certificate of completion to [email protected] .
• Finalize IRB logistics : If required, complete the Study Closure Form to terminate your research and submit it to the Principal Investigator (PI) for signature. Exempt studies do not require a closure form. You should submit this form through the iRIS system and reach out to the IRB office directly with any questions at 202-994-2715 or [email protected] .
• Finalize GSEHD logistics : Notify GSEHD’s Office of Student Life ( [email protected] ) if the title of your dissertation has changed, or if you have any questions about the process. Otherwise, you will receive your graduation clearance from us after Gelman Library accepts your submission.

 Dissertation Support Resources

Dissertation Support Group

The GSEHD Dissertation Support Group (DSG) provides doctoral students a repository of materials to refer to while writing a dissertation. Each semester the DSG hosts several workshops designed to assist students in the research and writing process, as well as online support sessions where doctoral students, faculty, and alumni provide mutual support. For questions, email Doctoral Student Services at [email protected] .

GW Libraries

The library is here to support you in all stages of your research, including research strategy, finding materials and sources, analyzing data, citation management, and more. Access their " Get Research Help " page for a comprehensive list of support resources.

In addition, review the GW Libraries' guide developed to help doctoral students in researching and writing their dissertation. The guide provides resources for choosing your topic, finding examples of other dissertations written by GW students, publications to guide you through the process, and funding opportunities.

If you're conducting a literature review and are interested in other ETD authors' findings on your topic, the library has you covered. Search library and web resources for Dissertations and Theses from GW and other national and international institutions.

GW Writing Center

The GW Writing Center offers free, peer-based support to students and faculty from across the university. Schedule a consultation for one-on-one support for support at all stages of the writing process.

Student Research Commons

The Student Research Commons is a hub for finding research fellowships, funding opportunities, and other related resources.

ETD Submission

• For technical assistance with submitting your thesis or dissertation, submit an online support request to ProQuest or call (877) 408-5027.
• Electronic Theses and Dissertations Submission (ETD) Guide : Central resource for all of your ETD needs from formatting your manuscript to submission using the ProQuest ETD Administrator.
• Review a glossary of ETD Terms and Definitions .
• View full list of contacts >

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Before advancing to candidacy, all PhD students must write and defend a dissertation prospectus that explains the justification for the dissertation research, reviews the relevant literature, identifies relevant theoretical and methodological issues, and provides a timetable for the completion of the work. The prospectus defense is both an assessment of a student's readiness to proceed with the dissertation after the completion of the QEP and an opportunity for the dissertation committee to provide constructive advice on the project. The dissertation prospectus should readily convey even to a non-specialist the nature and import of the student's project and should be understood as a provisional document that advances the basic argument of the student's dissertation project. It should include:

1. A brief description and statement of the thesis for the project. 2. An overview of the current state of research. 3. A plan of research and statement on methodology. 4. A preliminary outline of chapters. 5. A preliminary bibliography.

The prospectus should be between 8 and10 pages (approx. 2500 words) in length, not including the bibliography.

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Seven graduate students honored with Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (7/18/2024) – Seven graduate students advised by Department of Chemistry faculty members were recently awarded the University of Minnesota’s Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. The seven students honored by this prestigious award are Kaylee Barr, Brylon Denman, Madeline Honig, Chris Seong, Sneha Venkatachalapathy, Murphi Williams, and Caini Zheng.

Kaylee Barr , a Chemical Engineering and Materials Science PhD student, is entering her fifth year in the Reineke Group . Before making the move to Minnesota, she received her BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas. “I came to the University of Minnesota because of the department's developments in polymer science, and because I was interested in the intersection of polymer science and drug delivery in Theresa Reineke's lab,” she says. Here at UMN, Kaylee studies how bottlebrush polymer architecture affects pH-responsive oral drug delivery. This summer, she is excited to grow professionally and as a scientist in an intern position at Genentech.

Brylon Denman is a Chemistry PhD candidate in the Roberts Group . She joined the UMN community in 2020 after completing her BS in Biochemistry at St. Louis University. “My research in the Roberts group seeks to resolve regioselectivity and reactivity issues within aryne methodology via ligand control,” Brylon says. “To accomplish this task, I have taken a mechanistic and hypothesis driven approach to understand how key molecular parameters modify regioselectivity and reactivity. I hope to use the knowledge I have gained from these studies to both improve the synthetic utility of aryne intermediates, and improve the sustainability of aryne reactions.” Brylon is also passionate about sustainable and green chemistry. As a founding member of the Sustainable and Green Chemistry committee, Brylon strives to collaborate with other department teammates to strengthen the culture of green and sustainable chemistry through integration into teaching, research, and community engagement. “In my career I aim to continue this advocacy and use my breadth of knowledge to enact sustainable change at a major pharmaceutical company as emphasizing sustainability on such a large scale can lead to a large impact,” she says. As she works through her internship at AbbVie this summer, Brylon is looking towards the future to outline her next steps after graduation.

Madeline Honig first experienced Chemistry at UMN during a summer REU experience in the Bühlmann Lab . She formally joined the Prof. Bühlmann's team in Fall 2020 after earning her BA in Chemistry from Earlham College. Her research here at UMN  has focused on the development and improved understanding of polymeric membrane-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). “One of my projects involves developing a quantitative parameter to better define the upper detection limits of these sensors which can be used to more accurately define sensor performance and predict the working range under different conditions,” Madeline says. “This research led us to investigate the unexplained 'super-Nernstian' responses of some pH-selective electrodes and expand the phase boundary model (the quantitative model that predicts ISE behavior) to include the formation of complexes between protonated ionophores and counter-ions in the sensing membrane. ISEs have been widely used for decades in clinical blood analysis among many other applications so it's exciting that I was still able to add to our fundamental understanding of how these sensors function.” One of Madeline’s goals is to use her research to enable the development of improved sensors that can be used in a wider range of conditions. Over the course of her graduate studies, Madeline has had the opportunity to be a graduate student mentor for two other students: Ariki Haba, a visiting master's student from Japan, and Katie O'Leary, a summer REU student, who both made significant contributions to the project. “Acting as a graduate mentor was really cool and I hope I can also make graduate-level chemistry research more approachable for everyone that I work with,” Madeline says. For her significant research efforts, Madeline was also recently selected in a national competition as one of the four winners of the 2024 Eastern Analytical Symposium Graduate Student Research Award. She will accept the award in November in Plainsboro NJ at the Eastern Analytical Symposium.

Chris Seong , an international student from New Zealand and PhD candidate in the Roberts Group, came to UMN after completing his BA with Distinction in Chemistry at St. Olaf College in 2020. Chris’ overarching chemistry interests involve the development of methods to utilize naturally abundant carboxylic acids as feedstock to synthesize medicinally relevant products, which are traditionally made with non-renewable starting materials derived from fossil fuels. “My earlier work has been focused on making alkyl-alkyl bonds through decarboxylation, but lately, in true Roberts Group fashion, I have turned my attention to using a similar mechanism to do aryne chemistry,” Chris says. He is currently working to publish a paper on the aryne project that he has been working on with two talented group mates; Sal Kargbo and Felicia Yu. “I am really excited to share this cool chemistry with the world,” he says. Outside of the lab, Chris is working on expanding his network to apply for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry – specifically in the early process space.

Sneha Venkatachalapathy is a member of the Distefano Group and an international student from India. She completed her BS in Chemistry with a minor degree in Biotechnology from Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India in 2020. “Chemistry has always been my passion since high school. I still remember my first successful brown ring test that has left a remarkable fascination and interest towards chemistry,” Sneha says. “This early fascination has driven my academic journey, guided by mentors like Dr. Subhabrata Sen, who encouraged me to pursue a PhD in the United States.” Sneha was drawn towards working in the Chemical Biology research field where she could directly contribute to developing human life. “Joining Dr. Mark Distefano’s lab at UMN provided me with the chance to collaborate with Dr. Mohammad Rashidian from Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Together, we work towards expanding the scope of protein prenylation to construct protein-based cancer diagnostic tools,” she says. Sneha’s goal for her time in the UMN PhD program is to create innovative protein-based tools for cancer detection and treatment, aiming to enhance patient’s quality of life. She says she is looking forward to continuing to develop her leadership skills as she continues her doctorate, and is also exploring future opportunities beyond UMN. “One thing that motivates me daily is the belief that my research contributions to the scientific community would enhance our understanding of cancer diagnostic methods, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes worldwide,” she says.

Murphi Williams  completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, then joined the Bhagi-Damodaran at UMN in 2020. When it comes to research, Murphi is interested in chemical biology, more specifically, looking into proteins involved in important biological problems. “One of my major projects is developing and characterizing a potential inhibitor for  Mycobacterium tuberculosis , the bacteria that causes tuberculosis,” Murphi says. “Tuberculosis is the leading infectious disease so my projects center on understanding and inhibiting heme proteins important for the bacteria. Specifically, a previous lab member identified a small molecule that I've been characterizing the activity of in cells.” Her current research goal is to express and purify the protein targets for her small molecule inhibitor in the lab to further demonstrate the in vitro activity. She is also contemplating a future career in science communication. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working on her garden. 

Caini Zheng joined the Chemistry at the UMN in 2019 after finishing her undergraduate studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She is currently a sixth-year graduate student co-advised by Profs. Tim Lodge and Ilja Siepmann . Her research focuses on the phase behavior of soft materials, including polymers and oligomers. Her DDF statement is titled "Self-Assembly of Polymers and Amphiphiles into Bicontinuous Phases". Caini is currently working on a project to elucidate the self-assembly of glycolipids through molecular dynamics simulations coupled with machine learning methods. In the future, she wants to work in the industry on bridging data science with traditional material research.

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Graduate Awards

3MT: Three Minute Thesis

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) celebrates the exciting research conducted by master’s or Ph.D. students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland, the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases students' capacity to explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

• Learn More and View Past Participants

Karas Award

The Karas Award for Outstanding Dissertation has been established to recognize excellence in doctoral research at Iowa State University. Each year the two winners of this award become Iowa State University’s nominees to the national competition for the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/University Microfilms International (UMI) Distinguished Dissertation Award. Awards are selected annually in two of the rotating four broad disciplinary areas announced by the Council of Graduate Schools—Humanities and the Fine Arts, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. (The CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Award, consisting of an honorarium of $2,000 and a certificate of citation, is presented at the annual meeting of the Council of Graduate School in early December each year.)

The two disciplinary areas for consideration in odd years (2025, 2027, 2029, etc.) are:

• Humanities and Fine Arts
• Biological Sciences

The two disciplinary areas for consideration in even years (2024, 2026, 2028, etc.) are:

• Mathematical and Physical Science and Engineering
• Social Sciences
• For more information and List of Previous Recipients

Zaffarano Prize Award

The award is offered each spring semester: to recognize superior performance in publishable research by an ISU graduate student. Publishable research is defined as work written and accepted for publication in a national or international refereed journal. Both the quality and the number of publications produced while a student at ISU will be considered. Nominees must either be currently enrolled at ISU or have graduated in the 2 preceding terms.

Deadlines: Nominations Due by March 15

Nominations should be submitted by DOGEs, Major Professors, or Graduate College Staff according to Department/Program award submission guidelines. Students do not apply directly for this award.

Submit electronic nominations to our  Paper Forms box.

Winner will be notified by mid-April. Award presented at the Sigma Xi banquet in April.

To recognize superior performance in publishable research by an ISU graduate Student. A check for $1,500 and a plaque will be presented to the winner at the Sigma Xi banquet in April.

Philosophy:

Dr Daniel Zaffarano, vice president for research at Iowa State University from 1973-1988, established this award. He believed accomplishments in research contribute to our knowledge capital when they are made widely available to other workers, usually through publication, for review and use. Until results are disseminated, a research project is not completed. Part of graduate education is practice in explaining research results, orally or in writing. With the encouragement of their advisors, many students prepare and submit for publication significant achievements in their research even before a dissertation or thesis is completed. Students who gain this experience will have a competitive advantage when they seek further education or employment, and the purpose of this prize is to honor and reward those who excel for their effort and achievement.

• More Details and Previous Awardees

Teaching Excellence Award

Award submission deadlines:.

All nominations can be submitted online by designated faculty members or department staff. Follow the selection process for your department/program.  Submissions by students are not allowed . Up to three reminders will be sent to departments in the weeks leading up to the deadlines. Please be mindful of the deadlines and adhere to them.

• Teaching Excellence Award Form

Purpose of Program

The purpose of these awards is to recognize and encourage outstanding teaching achievement by graduate students. The intent is to recognize up to 10% of the graduate students involved in teaching each year. Departments can choose to be more restrictive in the number of awards they give out, according to their criteria and policies.

Description of Awards

Each Teaching Excellence Award consists of:

• a letter of commendation from the ISU President,
• a certificate of achievement signed by the ISU President and the Graduate Dean,
• an honor cord to be worn at commencement, and
• an official notation on the student’s transcript.

Many Teaching Excellence Award winners will not be graduating at the time they receive their award. Recipients should keep their honor cord and wear the cord at the time of their graduation. A citation will be listed by their name in the ISU Commencement Program. Funding is not available through this program to offer cash prizes. However, departments are encouraged to use their own funds for this purpose whenever possible. Any cash prize should be handled directly by the department.

• Click here for eligibility and other details, as well as previous awardees

Research Excellence Award

• Research Excellence Award Form

The purpose of these awards is to recognize graduate students for outstanding research accomplishments as documented in their theses and dissertations. These students are also expected to be academically superior and able not only to do research, but also to develop a well written product. The intent of this program is to recognize "the best of the best" graduating students who have submitted theses and dissertations.

Each Research Excellence Award consists of:

• a certificate of achievement signed by the ISU President and the Graduate College Dean,

If Research Excellence Award winners will not be graduating at the time these awards are given, they should keep their honor cord and wear it when they graduate. A citation will be listed by their name in the ISU Commencement Program. Funding is not available through this program to offer cash prizes. However, departments are encouraged to use their own funds for this purpose whenever possible. Any cash prize should be handled directly by the department.

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A gunshot to the head. A long recovery. Then a wedding.

July 19, 2024, vanderbilt, meharry graduate students among the 2024 hhmi gilliam fellows.

They are the only two from Tennessee named this year for the program, which provides support for each student’s dissertation research for up to three years.

Vanderbilt University graduate student Mary Oliver and her adviser, Julia Bohannon , PhD, have been named to the 2024 cohort of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)  Gilliam Fellows Program in recognition of “their outstanding research and commitments to advancing equity and inclusion in science.”

They are among 50 graduate student-adviser pairs — two of whom are from Tennessee — named this year. The program provides $53,000 in annual support for each student’s dissertation research for up to three years.

Oliver, a graduate student in Molecular Pathology & Immunology, is working with Bohannon, associate professor of Anesthesiology and of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at VUMC, on ways to modulate innate immunity, the body’s first line of defense against infection, to prevent infection and sepsis in patients with severe burn injuries.

“This is truly an amazing opportunity,” Oliver said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to not only be connected to equally talented and like-minded peers as a Gilliam fellow, but the opportunity to work alongside my mentor to advance our field of research with the support of the program.”

The other Tennessee fellow, Déja Grant, is a graduate student in Cancer Biology at Meharry Medical College who is working in the lab of her adviser, Rachelle Johnson , PhD, associate professor of Medicine at VUMC and program director/director of Graduate Studies for Cancer Biology at Vanderbilt University.

“I am super excited and blessed to be selected as a 2014 Gilliam fellow,” Grant said, “and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the Gilliam cohort.”

Johnson said the fellowship will support Grant’s research into mechanisms of bone metastatic breast cancer progression through spatial profiling of the metastatic niche.

“The emphasis on the mentor-mentee pair is truly unique,” she said. “I look forward to working with Déja to determine how intracrine signaling pathways disrupt the niche to promote outgrowth of dormant tumor cells in the bone marrow and seeing all that Déja will accomplish through her Gilliam fellowship.”

“Mary and I are incredibly honored to be recognized by the HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program,” Bohannon said. “Not only have Mary and I both overcome numerous challenges due to inequities in education and science, but our work also addresses a critical issue that affects a diverse population.

“Burn-related deaths are seven to 11 times higher in low-income compared to high-income communities, leading to disparities in care and treatment,” she said. “Further, some racial and ethnic groups experience greater impacts in terms of scarring, infection and therapy outcomes after burn. I look forward to continuing working with Mary to break down barriers in scientific research and improve treatments for underserved communities.”

HHMI, the nation’s largest private biomedical research institution, created the Gilliam Fellows Program in 2004 to nurture excellence and diversity in science and in recognition of the importance of mentorship in developing tomorrow’s scientific leaders.

Fellows are offered leadership training, professional development and opportunities to engage with and learn from peers, program alumni and HHMI scientists. Their advisers participate in an intensive, one-year mentorship skills development course and receive support to promote inclusive graduate training environments at their home institutions.

This year HHMI’s Center for the Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture , which administers the program, received applications from a record-breaking 162 institutions across the country. Including this year’s fellows, who represent 43 institutions, the Gilliam community now consists of 501 scientists, including those who subsequently have earned their doctorates.

“This year’s Gilliam Fellows and their advisers are not only working at the cutting edge of scientific discovery, but they’re also forging new pathways for others to do the same,” Blanton Tolbert, PhD, HHMI’s vice president of science leadership and culture, said in a news release.

“Together, these brilliant minds represent the future of science — a future in which individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences come together to move science forward for the betterment of all,” Tolbert said.

While Grant is the first Meharry graduate student to be named a Gilliam Fellow, this is the second time her adviser has been recognized by the program.

Johnson and then-graduate student Tolu Omokehinde were among three student-adviser pairs from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine named to the program in 2018 . Omokehinde earned his PhD in 2021 and currently is a senior scientist at Pfizer.

Three graduate student-adviser pairs from Vanderbilt were among the Gilliam program’s 2019 cohort ; one pair was selected in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and two pairs were recognized in 2023.

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By VUMC News and Communications

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