The
dissertation should represent the results of the writer's
own original research, carried out under the direction of
the dissertation committee. Though accepted primarily for
its scholarly merit rather than for its rhetorical qualities,
the dissertation must be stylistically competent. The Department
follows the latest editions of the MLA Handbook for Writers
of Research Papers (New York), or The M.L.A. Style
Manual (New York: Modern Language Association of America)
as its authority in matters of style. A variety of approaches
are acceptable to dissertation committees, and it may be stated
with confidence that any dissertation topic which can gain
the approval of three members of the graduate faculty, at
least one of whom is authorized by the Graduate School to
direct dissertations, will be viable.
The
time schedule for filing a dissertation proposal is stated
in Appendix B. The dissertation advisor will serve on the
Examination Committee. Together with the advisor the candidate
solicits two other members of the graduate faculty to serve
on the dissertation committee. Normally these members will
be approached by the advisor. The dissertation advisor reports
the names of the members of the dissertation committee to
the Department chair. The chair makes an official record of
the membership of the committee and sends a copy of it to
the members of the dissertation committee.
As
soon as possible after the appointment of a dissertation committee
the student should submit to its members a proposal for the
dissertation. This should indicate (1) the purpose of the
proposed investigation, (2) its scope, (3) its importance,
(4) its scholarly method, and (5) its originality. When his
or her dissertation committee has approved the proposal, a
copy of the proposal will be made available to the Departmental
graduate faculty for their comment.
The
dissertation advisor consults with the committee members whenever
a portion of the dissertation has been submitted.
Instructions
regarding the preparation of manuscript may be obtained from
the College Office, Graduate Division. It is the responsibility
of the student to comply in every respect with the dissertation
regulations established by the Graduate School. In
all stages of the preparation of the dissertation, the student
should work as closely with his or her dissertation committee
as possible.
In
addition to the copies of the dissertation required for the
Graduate School, one copy must be turned in to the department.
Not
later than three weeks before the final oral examination,
the candidate must make available enough copies of the dissertation
so that all five members of the examining committee will have
an opportunity to read it prior to the examination. When the
final oral examination has been passed and the approved dissertation
signed by the dissertation committee, the dissertation is
to be bound. Two unbound copies must be deposited in the Graduate
Division, plus a $25.00 binding fee, not less than one month
before the date on which the degree is to be conferred; a
third copy is kept by the Department. Before qualifying for
the degree the candidate must have arranged with the Graduate
Division for the preparation of a microfilm copy under approved
conditions and made other final arrangements with the Graduate
Division.
Time limit and leave of absence.
The
following time constraints apply for completion of doctoral
programs in the Graduate School:
Doctoral
degree candidates will normally complete all requirements
for the degree in eight (8) years after first enrollment
in a doctoral program leading directly to the doctoral degree
or after completion of a Masters degree at the University
of Kansas. In cases in which compelling reasons recommend
a one year extension of the normal eight year limit, the
Division shall have authority to grant the one year extension
on the written permission of the student's advisor and Departmental
chair/graduate director.
Extension
of the tenure periods specified above may be granted in exceptional
circumstances for one year at a time by the [College Graduate]
Division upon receipt of a satisfactorily documented petition
from the student concerned, supported by the chairperson or
graduate advisor of the Department, and the student's dissertation
chairperson" (Manual).
The
College Graduate Division specifies three extensions, which
are dealt with as follows:
1st
extension - This will be handled by the Graduate Division,
and requires only the signatures of the student's advisor
plus the graduate director of the Department.
2nd
extension - This extension will be handled by the subcommittee
of the Committee on Graduate Studies which deals with petitions.
The second extension requires strong letters of support
from the student's advisor and the Departmental graduate
director. Both the petitioner and advisor should set up
a tentative completion schedule.
3rd
extension - This will require a meeting with the full committee
of both the petitioner and his/her advisor. (memo)
The
above time limits apply to all graduate students, whether
or not they hold appointments as graduate teaching assistants.
The Department will make an effort to advise individual students
of their time limits. But in principle it is the students'
responsibility to make certain that they comply with them.
In
all cases where students admitted to the program are either
interrupting their studies or taking very little coursework,
the time limits imposed by the Graduate School may be difficult
to meet. Such students are advised to make use of the possibility
of obtaining a leave of absence. The following
statement from the Graduate School regulations in the Catalog
and in the College Manual spells out the most important aspects
of leaves of absence:
A
student in any of the above categories may petition the
[College Graduate] Division through the Department for a
leave of absence during either the pre-or post-comprehensive
period to pursue full-time professional activities related
to the student's doctoral program and long-range professional
goals. Leaves of absence may also be granted because of
illness or other emergencies. Ordinarily a leave of absence
is granted for one year, with the possibility of extension
upon request. After an absence of five years, however, a
doctoral aspirant or candidate loses status. In order to
continue, the former student must apply and be accepted
for readmission to the Department and to the [College Graduate]
Division (Manual).
Dependent
upon the recommendation of the Committee on Graduate Studies,
a readmitted student may be required to revalidate the oral
comprehensive examination, the research skill(s), and to redo
the residency requirement.
It
should be noted, however, that applications for most post-comprehensive
leaves of absence are only granted in the most unusual circumstances
in view of the requirement of "continuous enrollment"
established by the Graduate Council. The Department can support
such applications only if convincing evidence is provided
that no facilities of the University and no staff time will
be used during the period in question, or that a case of severe
hardship exists. Applications are addressed to the Graduate
Division of the College and examined by the Departmental Graduate
Committee. The Graduate Committee will consider the recommendation
of the dissertation advisor in reviewing the application.
