GUIDELINES
FOR
DOCTORAL
DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
Liberty University SOE 2
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
PURPOSES OF THE DISSERTATION
The doctoral dissertation provides:
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An opportunity for candidates to show that they are worthy of a doctoral degree.
A way to demonstrate that candidates can contribute to the literature in their field of study.
A time for serious personal and professional growth.
NATURE OF THE DISSERTATION
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The dissertation is scholarly in nature; it is not meant or written for laymen to understand.
The dissertation is written for other professionals in one’s field of study.
Some qualitative dissertations may be up to 300 pages in length. Purely quantitative
dissertations in certain fields of study may be as short as 50 pages (but most committees will not
approve one that short). Most dissertations are around 100 pages in length.
Dissertations have a specific “form.”
o Typically this includes an introduction, a review of the literature, a methodology
chapter, results (or findings), and a final chapter including a summary, discussion, and
conclusions.
DISSERTATION STYLE
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Dissertations require conforming to a certain style of writing. In education, the American
Psychological Association (APA) style manual is used.
Often it is required that a special editor check the details of APA requirements.
The chair of the committee should not be expected to provide extensive editing of the
document. If help is needed, contact the Graduate Writing Center graduatewriting@liberty.edu
. The Graduate Writing Center provides aid for professional writing style. It should be used at
the beginning of the writing process, not as copy editor at the end.
RELATED COURSES IN THE ED. D. PROGRAM
All coursework in the EdD program should lead to the eventual goal of completion of the dissertation.
Three courses have a particular emphasis on completion of a dissertation prospectus or proposal.
EDUC 715 (Quantitative Research)
EDUC 717 (Qualitative Research)
Quantitative Research Prospectus/Proposal
Qualitative Research Prospectus/Proposal
EDUC 719/919 (Professional Writing and Research)
Final Prospectus to be presented to the Dissertation Committee
Liberty University SOE 3
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
Overall responsibility for the dissertation process:
 Dr. Scott Watson, swatson@liberty.edu, (Assistant Dean, Advanced Programs).
Aid in forming committees, utilizing both residential and distance faculty:
 Dr. Connie Pearson, cpearson@liberty.edu, (Chair of On-line Faculty).
Consultants:
 Dr. Scott Watson, swatson@liberty.edu – quantitative research.
 Dr. Jill Jones, jajones9@liberty.edu – qualitative research.
The dissertation consultants are available at any point beyond completion of EDUC 719/919. It is
suggested that the appropriate individual be part of each proposal defense. They will also attend
dissertation defenses. The dissertation consultants are intended to be an additional resource for
each committee.
Faculty Support:
 Kirsten Staaby, klstaaby@liberty.edu (maintains the master list of dissertation committees).
 Hannah Allison, hallison@liberty.edu (Graduate Writing Center).
THE DISSERTATION COMMITTEE and ITS RESPONSIBILITIES
THE CHAIR
QUALIFICATIONS
 Chosen from full-time SOE faculty, either residential or DLP.
 Contacted initially by the candidate or by Dr. Pearson.
 Must hold an earned doctoral degree.
 Should have served as reader on dissertation committee prior to being chair.
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Commits to actively support the candidate through the entire dissertation process, which may
take as much as two years.
 After accepting the assignment, aids the candidate in securing the other two committee
members.
- If unable to secure, contact Dr. Connie Pearson, cpearson@liberty.edu, who can help
find other members.
 Informs Kirsten Staaby, klstaaby@liberty.edu, when the committee has been finalized.
 Initially reads, makes suggestions, and approves prospectus.
 Distributes prospectus to other committee members.
 Initiates committee meeting with candidate, face-to-face or by phone, to discuss prospectus.
 Gives go-ahead to candidate to proceed with the more extensive proposal.
Liberty University SOE 4
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
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Instructs candidate to submit the proposal to one of the consultants, Dr. Scott Watson,
swatson@liberty.edu (quantitative research) or Dr. Jill Jones, jajones9@liberty.edu (qualitative
research) for affirmation of the research design.
Instructs candidate to submit the proposal to Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval.
Instructs candidate to submit the proposal to the Graduate Writing Center for review of writing
style.
Once satisfied with proposal, initiates committee meeting to discuss, suggest any revisions, and
formally approve the proposal.
Works closely with candidate through the development of chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the
dissertation.
Instructs candidate to distribute first three chapters to committee members for review.
Continues to work closely with candidate in the development of chapters 4 and 5.
Instructs candidate to distribute last two chapters to committee members for review.
Instructs candidate to submit dissertation to one of the research consultants, an APA expert,
and to a statistician for review.
Once satisfied with the dissertation, initiates committee meeting for discussion and approval for
defense.
Contacts Kirsten Staaby, klstaaby@liberty.edu, to schedule a defense day and time.
Works closely with candidate in preparation of a 15-20 minute presentation of the dissertation
to be presented to committee and to interested faculty on campus.
Coordinates dissertation defense (may use Elluminate for online participation in defense).
Neither the chair nor the committee members are required to be on campus for the defense.
- Elluminate is an on-line chat room that includes the capability of viewing PowerPoint
presentations and interacting in discussion either orally or by text, so that participants
may be involved without being present physically.
After defense, consults with committee and administration to determine if defense has been
passed and candidate is ready for graduation.
If further review is necessary, continues to guide the candidate through the final processes until
the dissertation is complete and ready for copying and distributing.
Makes sure that signature page is ready.
Makes sure that candidate has made arrangements to get copies of dissertation to SOE, the
committee members, and to the LU library.
Responds to online rubrics to evaluate the dissertation and defense:
Dissertation rubric [using web link provided] EdD Written Dissertation Rubric
http://college.livetext.com/misk5/formz/public/34068/Hzk6udst3r
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Defense rubric [using web link provided] 990 Dissertation Defense Rubric
http://college.livetext.com/misk5/formz/public/33219/kn4rw2a8PY
OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS
QUALIFICATIONS
 Must hold an earned doctoral degree.
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GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
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2nd Committee Member
o Distance Faculty or Liberty Faculty outside Graduate Education.
(Connie Pearson, cpearson@liberty.edu, will help with selection and appointment of a
distance faculty member.)
3rd Committee Member
o Outside Member, normally recruited by the candidate after approval by the committee
chair.
o May be a local (to the candidate) employee of a school district or college, or may be a
former professor at another college or university.
o Should complete this form: External Committee Member Approval Form and submit to
Chair and to Kirsten Staaby klstaaby@liberty.edu .
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Commits to participate during the entire dissertation process, which may take as much as two
years.
 Reviews candidate’s prospectus.
 Meets with candidate and committee by phone to discuss prospectus.
 Reviews candidate’s proposal.
 Meets with candidate and committee by phone to discuss and approve proposal.
 Reads and reviews chapters 1-3 of the dissertation.
 Reads and reviews chapters 4-5 of the dissertation.
 Meets with candidate and committee by phone to discuss and approve dissertation for defense.
 Is available for dissertation defense by Elluminate.
o Elluminate is an on-line chat room that includes the capability of viewing PowerPoint
presentations and interacting in discussion either orally or by text, so that participants
may be involved without being present physically.
 Meets with committee and administration to determine approval status of dissertation.
 If further review is necessary, will be available for further reading and review.
PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
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Chairs - $1500
o $750 after the candidate registers for EDUC 980 two times.
o $750 when candidate completes the dissertation
o $500 for each additional semester student is registered for EDUC 980 (after the initial
two semesters) until the dissertation is completed (up to 2 additional semesters)
Committee Members - $750
o Paid in two payments (after the candidate registers for 980 two times, and when
candidate completes the dissertation).
THE DISSERTATION PROCESS for CANDIDATE
For other details, see Dissertation Guide
Liberty University SOE 6
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
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Complete EDUC 715, 717, and 719/919.
Pass comprehensive exam.
Complete the prospectus (short version, approximately 10 pages, of the proposal) in EDUC 719:
o Overview of the plans for research study
 Introduction (Chapter 1).
 Review of the Literature (Chapter 2).
 Methodology Section (Chapter 3).
Choose a Committee Chair.
o Candidates should begin talking to faculty members about their research from the
beginning of their programs.
o A chair cannot be assigned until all coursework has been completed and the
comprehensive exam has been passed.
o The chair should be chosen from the SOE’s full-time faculty, either residential or DLP.
 With few exceptions, a faculty member should first serve as a reader before
he/she serves as a committee chair.
 Must have an earned doctoral degree.
o If candidate is unable to find a chair for the dissertation committee, Dr. Connie Pearson,
cpearson@liberty.edu, may be contacted to help secure one.
o Inform the administrator of graduate studies, Dr. Scott Watson, swatson@liberty.edu ,
with the name of the chair that has agreed to serve.
Choose the Other Members of the Committee.
o The chair and the candidate will then choose other committee members (at least one
must be from outside the School of Education).
o Candidates are encouraged to recommend a committee member from outside of Liberty
University. This may include a former professor from another university or a colleague
in a local school or school district.
 If committee member is from outside Liberty University, he/she should
complete this form: External Committee Member Approval Form.
o All members of the committee must have earned doctoral degrees.
o All members of the committee must be willing and able to make the time commitment
necessary for serving on a committee (approximately 2 years).
Formally inform the administrator of graduate studies of the names of the committee members.
When candidate receives a confirmation of completion of all coursework and passing of
comprehensive exam, he/she should present that to the committee chair.
Submit the prospectus to the chair for review.
o If changes are recommended, those should be made before presenting to the
committee.
Meet with Committee for approval of prospectus. This may be individually or collectively and
may be face-to-face, by phone, or by email.
Develop a proposal.
o Work with committee chair to develop a formal proposal.
Liberty University SOE 7
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
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An abbreviated version of the first three chapters of the dissertation, including:
 Introduction.
 Statement of the problem and/or research question.
 Initial review of the literature.
 Description of the research design/method.
o Submit an electronic copy of the proposal to the chair.
Committee approves proposal.
o After chair’s approval, the proposal should be distributed to the other committee
members.
o Meet with the committee, collectively, either face-to-face or by phone, for defense and
formal approval of the proposal.
Submit document to Dr. Watson, swatson@liberty.edu (quantitative research), or Dr. Jones,
jajones9@liberty.edu (qualitative research), for review and approval.
Submit the proposal to the Graduate Writing Center graduatewriting@liberty.edu for review of
writing style.
Complete the IRB Process.
o Due to federal requirements, all research conducted through Liberty University must be
approved by the university Institutional Review Board (IRB).
 This is not a difficult process, as most educational research will be categorized
as “expedited” or “exempt” for IRB approval.
 Before collecting any data, the candidate must have full IRB approval.
Complete dissertation.
o Begin the refining, revising, and enhancing of chapters 1, 2, and 3.
o Stay in frequent contact with committee chair.
o When satisfied, the committee chair should distribute the first three chapters to the
other committee members for their review and recommendations.
o Begin the research and data collection process for chapters 4 and 5.
o With appropriate support, begin any analysis of data.
 This may require the employment of an outside statistician as well as the
consultation of Dr. Watson or Dr. Jones.
o Under the direction of the chair, complete chapters 4 and 5.
o When satisfied, the committee chair should distribute chapters 4 and 5 to the other
committee members for their review and recommendations.
Generate an edited electronic copy of the full document.
o After approval by the chair.
o For each of the committee members.
Arrange a pre-defense conference with the committee.
o Committee will decide whether the candidate is ready for the defense.
Chair contacts Kirsten Staaby, klstaaby@liberty.edu, to schedule the defense.
Prepare for 15-20 minute presentation to defend the dissertation.
o With the suggestions and aid of the committee chair.
Liberty University SOE 8
GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
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Before arriving, make arrangements to meet with library contact for dissertations while on
campus.
Present dissertation defense to committee and interested faculty:
o Research.
o Results.
o Committee may be present by way of Elluminate.
 Elluminate is an on-line chat room that includes the capability of viewing
PowerPoint presentations, so that participants may be involved without being
present physically.
Committee and administration meets formally to determine approval, at end of presentation.
Based on committee decision, dissertation is:
o Approved without modification.
o Approved with modifications.
o Not approved.
After revisions, committee and program administrator provide documentation of completion.
Candidate arranges for electronic submission of dissertation to be sent to the Liberty University
library.
Candidate furnishes bound copies to SOE and the committee members.
Candidate completes requirements and paperwork necessary for graduation.
If at all possible, the candidate should attend the hooding ceremony and graduation exercises in
May.