Smith PhD Program Overview

Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation involves a substantial original research project conducted over an extended time period. The project is designed to develop and demonstrate research skills that the candidate will utilize and build upon throughout a subsequent career. Close working relationships with committee members and pursuit of relevant information sources and literature, whether or not related to prior coursework, are essential aspects of successful dissertation research. Preparation of the final document, although an arduous task, is in fact a small part of the dissertation requirement. Topic selection, committee selection, design and conduct of research, and interpretation of results are the large and critical aspects.

The dissertation is an original contribution to knowledge in the student's chosen area of concentration. It follows the form given in the Thesis and Dissertation Manual, which is now available online at the Graduate School website(http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/publications/).
Effective Fall 2003, all dissertations must be submitted electronically after the Final Oral Examination but before the deadline listed in the Graduate School Deadlines page of the Graduate School's website. The online submission process is outlined at http://dissertations.umi.com/umd. It is expected that the research will result in a paper that is submitted to an academic refereed journal for publication consideration.

Dissertation Proposal
The Business School requires its students to have a dissertation proposal as the first formal stage of the dissertation (the second stage is the final oral examination of the dissertation). Accordingly, students should be advanced to candidacy prior to formally presenting the dissertation proposal.

The student works closely with the intended committee chair and other relevant committee members to prepare the dissertation proposal. This document will ordinarily include:

• Explanation of the subject of the dissertation, including its connection with the current state of knowledge and the prior literature.
• Demonstration of the method to be used in the research, including the appropriateness of the method to deal with the subject.
• Description of the data, or other information, to be utilized in the study, including its availability and suitability in light of the subject and method.
• Such other content and supporting material as the chair and committee members direct.

Dissertation Proposal Presentation
When a proposal draft is ready, the candidate schedules a proposal presentation. The proposal committee consists of five members, one of whom is a regular member of the graduate faculty of a department outside the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Each member is given a copy of the proposal at least two weeks prior to the examination.

The Nomination of Proposal Defense Committee form is obtained from the Ph.D. Program website and is completed and returned to the Ph.D. Program Office at least two weeks prior to the proposal defense. This form must be taken to the proposal defense, signed by all members of the proposal committee, and returned to the Ph.D. Program Office after the completion of the proposal defense.

All pertinent information concerning the proposal presentation, including a copy of the written dissertation proposal, should be given to the Ph.D. Program Office at least two weeks prior to the presentation. The information will then be posted, as this examination is open to the public.
The proposal committee will examine the candidate's proposal for research work to be incorporated in the dissertation, and then vote on the candidate's prospective qualifications for the degree. A finding of failure requires that at least two negative votes be cast.

It is anticipated that all members will be present at the proposal presentation. In extenuating circumstances, at most one member (but not the chair) may be absent from the proposal presentation.

Final Oral Examination
The Final Oral Examining Committee will examine the candidate on the research work incorporated in the dissertation, and then vote on the candidate’s qualifications for the degree. The committee consists of five members, of which at least three (including the chair) must be members of the graduate faculty at the University of Maryland at College Park and one of whom is a regular member of the graduate faculty of a department outside the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Each member is given a copy of the dissertation at least two weeks prior to the examination.

The Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee form is obtained from the Ph.D. Program website and is completed and returned to the Ph.D. Program Office three months prior to the final oral examination and in accordance with the deadline listed in the Schedule of Classes. Details governing the structure of the committee are on the back of this form. This will generate the Report of Examining Committee form sent from the Graduate School to the Ph.D. Program Office that is taken to the final oral examination, signed by all members of the committee, and returned to the Ph.D. Program Office.

All pertinent information concerning the oral examination should be given to the Ph.D. Program Office two weeks prior to this examination. The information will then be posted, as this examination is open to the public.

The Final Oral Examining Committee will examine the candidate on the research work incorporated in the dissertation, and then vote on the candidate's qualifications for the degree. A finding of failure requires that at least two negative votes be cast.

For additional information, click on the links below:

► General Requirements
► Specific Area Requirements
► Maintenance of Graduate Standing
► Written Comprehensive Exam
► Oral Comprehensive Exam
► Advancement to Candidacy
► Dissertation
► Graduation Ceremonies