EPP GRADUATE FAQ - Ph.D. Thesis Proposal

Within six months of passing the Qualifying Examinations at the Ph.D. level, the student must produce a written thesis proposal which includes a summary of any preliminary results available. The written proposal must be given to the student's Ph.D. Committee at least one week before the oral presentation of the proposal. The Ph.D. Committee is appointed jointly by the student's thesis advisor and the department head, with the advice and consent of the student. The committee must have at least four members, at least two of whom must be EPP faculty members and at least one of whom does not have a major affiliation with EPP. The EPP members of the Ph.D. Committee are also responsible for certifying that departmental course requirements have been met, including the selection of courses to fulfill the student's particular core area of mastery. The EPP Ph.D. qualifying process is completed when a student has passed the Qualifying Examinations at the Ph.D. level and has successfully defended his or her thesis proposal.