THE Ph.D. DISSERTATION
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.
PROCESSING THE DISSERTATION
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:
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.
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