Doctoral Program

Upon admission into the doctoral program, the department chairman will assign an interim adviser, who will prepare a tentative program plan with the student. Successful completion of the qualifying examination precedes completion of a formal program plan. The qualifying examination should generally be taken during the first term of full-time enrollment or no later than the completion of fifteen semester hours. The qualifying examination consists of a written portion and an oral portion administered by the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education. The examination serves as a diagnostic instrument in designing the formal program plan. The student may be advised to repeat all or part of the examination or advised to discontinue work toward a doctoral degree.

Upon satisfying the qualifier, the student will select a faculty member who will serve as the adviser and chairperson of the dissertation committee. Both the departmental chairperson and the faculty member must approve the selection. In some cases, the interim adviser may be the same as the one ultimately chosen to be the adviser and chair the dissertation committee. The student should work closely with the adviser in selecting the dissertation committee. The doctoral committee consists of five faculty members--a minimum of three from the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education. Each member must be approved for such responsibility by the Graduate School.

The formal program plan will be written by the adviser and the student, with input from the entire faculty in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education. The plan will contain required courses in teacher education, administration, research, community service, in addition to courses in an area(s) of specialization, and selected courses outside of the department. Basic requirements are set forth in the Graduate Bulletin. The program plan, required by the department, must be signed by the adviser and student. After selection of the dissertation committee, multiple copies of the approved program plan required by the Graduate School must be signed by all committee members.

The comprehensive examination is administered near the completion of course work and prior to the time work on the dissertation proposal has begun. The purpose of the examination is to provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and competency acquired during the doctoral training program. Upon the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student may proceed with the dissertation proposal.

The writing and defense of the dissertation is the last step in the doctoral program. The dissertation should constitute a scholarly contribution to the research literature. The USM Graduate School has prepared a set of guidelines titled, "Graduate School Policies for Preparing Theses and Dissertations." Proposals and final copies of the dissertation should conform to these guidelines. However, the major professor and committee may modify these guidelines as needed. All research involving human subjects must be approved by the Human Subjects Review Committee of the university.

It is understood that policies and requirements are subject to change. The student is directed to work closely with the adviser and department chairperson. The student should also direct attention to departmental, graduate school, college, and university publications and announcements regarding policies, requirements, and deadlines.