<aside> 💡

Library formatting templates for dissertations can be found here

</aside>

Preparing for your dissertation proposal

• [ ] Using the portal, complete the Phase III Form
• [ ] Confirm your committee. You may keep the same committee as you did for your comprehensive exams or change it
• [ ] Submit the Approval form for the public presentation of a dissertation proposal
• [ ] At least 3 weeks before you intent to submit the dissertation proposal, you must complete the Notice of submission of a dissertation proposal to program administration ([email protected])

The written dissertation proposal

Your written dissertation proposal should be read by all members of your committee.

Each member of the committee grades the written proposal on the following scale:

1. The written proposal is of sufficient quality to be presented as is (i.e., no modifications are required before the public presentation of the proposal)
2. The proposal requires modifications before its presentation. In this case, the student will be asked to rework the proposal and resubmit it to the committee members for a new round of approval.
3. The proposal does not meet the expected standards and the member recommends the interruption of the process. Important: If such a verdict is reached by the Phase III committee, this situation could lead to the student’s expulsion from the program.

If all committee members are in agreement that the proposal defense may move forward (i.e. choose option 1) then the following must occur

Oral defense of the dissertation proposal

The PhD program administration takes care of the logistical organization of the proposal. You must therefore allow a minimum period of 3 weeks between the submission of the proposal and the public presentation of the proposal.

Typically, the proposal session is divided as follows, and takes about 2 hours total:

• about 30-45 minutes for presentation
• 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (3-4 questions per committee member) for questions
• Period of deliberation