Dissertation (15 credits minimum in HLP 7980)
Every candidate for a doctoral degree is required to prepare and present a dissertation that shows independent investigation and is acceptable in form and content to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate School. Dissertations must be written in English and adhere to Graduate School guidelines.

Final Examination
After submission of the dissertation and the completion of all other prescribed work for the degree, but in no case earlier than six months before the conferring of the degree, the candidate will be given a final examination, oral or written or both, by the supervisory committee meeting on campus. An announcement of the scheduled examination must be sent to the Dean of the College and Dean of the Graduate School ten days in advance and must have an abstract attached. At least five faculty members must be present with the candidate at the oral portion of this examination including the chair and the outside member. At the time of the defense all committee members should sign the signature pages and all committee and attending faculty members should sign the Final Examination Report. These may be retained by the supervisory chairman until acceptable completion of the corrections.

Satisfactory performance on this examination and adherence to all Graduate School regulations outlined above complete the requirements for the degree.

Time Limitation
All work for a doctoral degree must be completed within five calendar years after the student passes the qualifying examination or this examination must be repeated.