900

Students will commence writing the dissertation prospectus. They will select their chairperson and begin the process of developing a 1-2 page dissertation prospectus. Upon chairperson approval of the prospectus the candidate, in consultation with the chairperson, will select the Dissertation Committee and commence the process of writing the proposal. The prospectus should include a clear and convincing statement of the questions to be addressed in the study, an outline of the design of the study, research methods to be used, and a discussion of the contribution of the study to organizational leadership theory and practice. Graded on a CR/NC basis. Co-requisite: DOL-820.

Students will form their committee and seek committee approval of the prospectus and consultation for preparing the proposal. The student may begin the preparation of the dissertation proposal. Graded on a CR/NC basis. Prerequisite: DOL-900A.

Upon chairperson and committee approval of the proposal the candidate, in close consultation with the chairperson, will commence the process of writing chapter one. Upon committee approval of chapter one the student may begin writing subsequent chapters, with the consultation of the chairperson and committee, of the dissertation. The proposal should include a statement of purpose, rationale, a brief literature review, research questions, proposed procedures, the source of data, methods of data collection, methods of data analysis or data reduction, and the contribution of the study to organizational leadership theory and practice. Students will be advised by their dissertation committee to write a draft of the first three chapters of the dissertation (i.e., introduction of purpose and rationale, literature review, and method) as their research proposal. Prerequisite: DOL-900B.

This course will provide students with an opportunity to focus their research as they prepare to conduct a research project and write their dissertation. The process of completing and writing a dissertation will be examined and students will be able to share their issues, concerns, and progress as they write the first chapter of their dissertation.

Research and writing of the dissertation are undertaken during year three commencing with the prospectus and proposal preparation. Candidates will engage in research for and writing of the dissertation. At the completion of the dissertation work, the Dissertation Committee conducts a final oral examination during which the candidate defends the dissertation.

After completion of the dissertation courses, students are required to register for Dissertation Continuation each term until the dissertation is satisfactorily completed and defended. Students are expected to retain communication with their dissertation chair and update them on the progress of their dissertation. Graded on a CR/NC basis.