While the Exam-Dissertation Sequence involves six courses, we have a single learning module and use a single online community. This page is meant to help you know how to get started and make sense of each step along the way.
You are encouraged to begin exploring the exam-dissertation sequence at least a semester ahead of when you plan to begin the sequence.
Image: “Middlescapes”
Key Exam-Dissertation Sequence Resources
Navigating the Exam-Dissertation Sequence
High Level & Detailed Exam-Dissertation Sequence Process PDF
Suggested Timelines for those who want to set completion goals
CGScholar and Word Formats
The majority of action items and deliverables associated with these courses will take place within the CGScholar platform, however, all work submitted for Advisor or Committee Review should be submitted as a Word document in the approved Graduate College format.
Select the buttons below to learn more about each specific milestone.
1. Preparing for and Completing your General and Special Field Exams (Chapter 2) (586 and 587)
The General and Special fields originally are two separate literature reviews and examinations, but they will eventually become a streamlined Chapter 2 for your dissertation.
You should complete the pre-EDS steps within the semester prior to officially starting. This will save you time later.
The General Field seminar includes a series of action items and deliverables that prepare you for your General Field exam.
The Special Field seminar includes a series of action items and deliverables that prepare you for your special Field exam.
2. Preparing to Present your Research Proposal (Chapters 1 to 3) (588 and 591)
The Methodology Research seminar prepares you to write Chapter 3 of your dissertation. Chapter 3 includes your theory and methodology, broken into three parts and projects so that you can receive incremental feedback.
Chapter 2 addresses what the literature says about theories associated with your topic, while Chapter 3 is about how your selected theory applies to your research study (Part 1).
Deeply examine your chosen methodology and its alignment with your study (Part 2) and design the implementation plan (Part 3). This also includes your IRB documentation.
Streamline your Chapter 2. You will submit your completed Chapters 1 to 3 and present your research proposal to your peers and then your committee during an oral exam
3. Conducting your Research Study (no registration)
The length of your research study will depend on your implementation plan. You do not need to register for courses while conducting your study, but you should submit an LOA form if you’ll not be enrolled for Fall or Spring.
Execute your research study according to your implementation plan.
Follow these tips to make the final dissertation process a little simpler.
Analyze your data along the way and according to your implementation plan.
4. Your Final Dissertation (599-1 & 2)
Drafting and finalizing your dissertation is an iterative and ongoing process. You should expect multiple rounds of feedback and revision.
Chapter 4 is about your execution, results, and findings. Chapter 5 is about your contributions and conclusions.
Once approved by your advisor, you will present your final exam to your peers and then to your committee.
After committee and departmental review, follow the Graduate College guidelines to deposit your approved dissertation.
Flexible Pacing and Registration
Completion dates are at the discretion of each student, however registration for a seminar course is based on a single term.
See also: Policy on Re-using Work (restricted access)