DCRS PhD: FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Coursework

• If I have some specific question about the required number of courses, who can I talk to?
  • If you need help regarding course selection, you can consult program administrators.
    • For contact information consult this webpage: HCAS Faculty & Staff Directory
  • You can also talk to peer mentors in person, telephonically, by email or during the RIs.
    • For contact information consult the Meet Your Peer Mentors document posted under the section Professional Development Resources on DCRS Student Resources webpage.

Preliminary Review

• When do I undergo the Preliminary Review and how does it look like?
  • You will take part in the Preliminary Review after you earn at least 18-24 credits.
    • All details regarding the review process are explained in the HCAS Graduate Catalog.

Qualifying Exam

• When do I need to take the Qualifying Exam?
  • You will take the exam after you complete all the required course work, and before beginning dissertation hours.
    • All details regarding the exam are provided in the HCAS Graduate Catalog.

Dissertation Status

• When do I enter dissertation status?
  • You enter dissertation status by passing the Qualifying exam.
• When and how do I choose the chair of my Dissertation Committee?
  • You will select the chair when you complete the Dissertation Preparation course CARD 7901. The course instructor will guide you through the process of chair selection.
• How do I register for dissertation?
  • You register for dissertation credits as if you were registering for a course using the school system you already know, only now you will register under (that means using) your dissertation chair's CRN. See question: Where can I find my chair’s CRN number to register for dissertation credits?
• How many terms am I in dissertation status?
  • This is variable depending on your progress but there is a minimum 12 dissertation credits required.
    • Details are clearly explained in the HCAS Graduate Catalog.
• Where can I find my chair’s CRN number to register for dissertation credits?
  • CRN numbers are published on the schedules for each semester on the DCRS Student Resources page under the section titled Schedule and Registration.
• How many members does the Dissertation Committee consist of?
  • Your Dissertation Committee will consist of one dissertation chair and typically two more committee members. In addition to these three core dissertation committee members, it may also include non-voting advisory members. Work with your Dissertation Committee chair to select members for your Committee.
    • More on the topic: consult HCAS Graduate Catalog.
• How often should I talk to my dissertation chair?
  • Once you have secured a chair for your Dissertation Committee, you should discuss with your chair the expectations of how to proceed with dissertation research and when to meet or touch bases during the terms.
• Do I need to get approval for my dissertation topic?
  • The chair of your Dissertation Committee will provide guidance regarding the dissertation topic and will ultimately approve the topic. Further refinement of the topic will occur as you meet with committee members to gain their insights on your research. Ultimate approval comes with the defense of the dissertation proposal. 

Proposal Stage

• How long should the proposal be?
  • Follow directions from the chair of your Dissertation Committee.

IRB Stage

• What does IRB stand for?
  • IRB means Institutional Review Board. Visit the NSU IRB webpage to learn about it more.
• What is the IRB process for the dissertation?
  • The IRB process is now electronic and conducted through IRB Manager. The link to IRB Manager is on the NSU IRB webpage. Basically, you create a profile and fill out an interactive form. Your chair must approve the submission to confirm that you passed your proposal defense and that the content of the form is correct. Thereafter, the form is reviewed by the CAHSS Center Representative who will assist you in properly formatting the form.
• When do I submit my IRB protocol?
  • You will submit your IRB protocol after you have successfully defended your proposal.
• Do I have to submit an IRB protocol if I don't plan to use human subjects?
  • According the NSU rules, the answer is yes. Researchers cannot determine by themselves whether a dissertation research is exempt or not. The Center Representative will confirm for you if you do not need to go through the full review process.
• I am using existing data in my research project, do I still need to obtain the IRB approval?
  • Consult resources posted on the NSU IRB webpage and if you still have doubts, contact the IRB College Representative for CAHSS directly. Contact information for IRB College Representatives is available on the IRB page, find a link in the left-hand side menu.
• When can I start collecting data for my dissertation research project?
  • Before any data collection takes place, you need to obtain a final approval of your project from the NSU Institutional Review Board.
    • More on the topic: consult NSU IRB webpage

Dissertation Stage

• How long should the dissertation be?
  • Follow directions from the chair of your Dissertation Committee.
• Can I defend my dissertation during the Summer term?
  • Yes, dissertation defenses take place during each of the three academic terms.
    • There are important deadlines you should be aware of when planning your defense. Consult HCAS Graduate Catalog.
• When can I schedule my final defense?
  • After your chair and your committee have approved the draft as ready for final defense, you can schedule your final defense.
• Who may attend the final defense? 
  • The final defense is an open event and anyone can attend including members of the public.
• When do I obtain signatures from my committee members on the signature page of my dissertation?
  • We recommend that you bring copies of the signature page (with your name, committee chair and members names inserted) to your final defense, as it may make the process of getting signatures easier for you.

Post-defense Requirements

• What do I need to do to have my degree conferred?
  • Please note that degrees are conferred at the end of each month. Requirements for conferral are the following (all items need to be completed before your degree can be conferred):    
  1. You need to have the required number of 12 dissertation credits completed.
  2. The Passing grade for the final semester of your dissertation course CARD 7900 needs to be in the system.   
  3. Your electronic application needs to be on file.     
  4. An electronic copy of your dissertation needs to be on file.    
  5. All required signatures need to be obtained.
• Where do I find guidelines on how to format my final dissertation?
  • The Dissertation Format GA will provide a review of the document using the Dissertation Format Checklist and the Dissertation Template. Therefore, be sure to follow the template and checklist as you prepare your final dissertation.
• When and where do I submit my final dissertation for format review?
  • When you pass your final dissertation defense and complete all required revisions to the satisfaction of your dissertation chair, you will submit to the PhD Program Director and the Dissertation Format GA the final dissertation document in Word format along with the signed PDF signature page. You will receive detailed instructions via email from the Dissertation Format GA working with PhD Program Director telling you where you should submit these files for format review. When the document format is approved by the DCRS Director, the Dissertation Format GA will provide you with guidance on the next steps.
• How long do I have to remain registered?
  • In terms of University policy, you MUST remain registered in the program until all requirements for conferral have been fulfilled. That includes ProQuest submission and completion of the degree application for conferral. There is a time limit to the finalization process – you only have one semester following the semester in which you defend, to finalize everything. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the degree.
• When and how do I submit my dissertation to ProQuest?
  • Your final dissertation needs to be reviewed and approved by the DCRS PhD Program Director (communicated directly from the Dissertation Review GA to you) before you can submit it to ProQuest.
  • When you receive your final approved dissertation from the the Dissertation Format GA submit it to ProQuest by clicking this link and following the instructions provided by ProQuest: http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/home
• When and how do I submit my degree application?
  • See details here: http://www.nova.edu/registrar/instructions.html