Doctoral Degree

 

 1.   Appointment of Major Professor

        When:  Before or during first semester

         Initiate through:  Department Head

 

 2.   Nomination of Advisory Committee (at least 4 members)

        When:  By the end of the second semester

        Initiate through:  Major Professor

 

 3.   Formulation of Program of Study and Dissertation Research (see Appendix B).  Meet with Advisory Committee to discuss proposal and

       course work. Prepare your Program of Study using pages 2 and 3 of the Grad School’s Doctoral Degree Audit form (available here: https://

       sites01.lsu.edu/wp/graduateschool/files/2013/12/Doctoral-Degree-Audit-and-Request-for-General-Examination.pdf) and, after approval by

       your committee, present it to the Graduate School for an informal audit.  Note that you only need to complete pages 2 and 3 of this form.

       When:  By the end of the first year

       Approved by: Advisory Committee and Graduate School (informal)

 

 4.   Submit Request for Doctoral General Examination form to the Graduate School.  If there is a change in the Program of Study, submit

       Request for Change of Program of Study for Doctoral Degree at the same time.

       When:  A full academic year before expected date of final examination (normally toward close of second year of full-time graduate study).

       Most course work must have been completed.  Request for Doctoral General Examination form should be submitted at least three weeks

       before examination date or by Graduate Calendar deadline, whichever is earlier.

       Initiate through:  Major Professor

       Approval by:  Advisory Committee, Department Head/Grad Advisor, Dean, Graduate School

 

 5.    Admission to Candidacy.  Submit Committee Examination Report (sent to the Department by Graduate School after receiving Request for

       Doctoral General Examination form) to the Graduate School.

       When:  After passing general examination

       Approved by:  Advisory Committee, Dean of Graduate School

 

 6.   Submit Application for Doctoral Degree form to the Graduate School

       When:  Semester of Graduation. Consult Graduate Calendar for deadlines.

       Approval by:  Major Professor

 

 7.   Submit Request for Doctoral Final Examination to the Graduate School

       When:  At least three weeks prior to Final Examination date.  Last date of Final Examination for a given semester is indicated in the Graduate

       Calendar.  If changes in the Program of Study have been made, Request for Change in Program of Study for Doctoral Degree should be

       submitted to the Graduate School prior to graduation.

       Initiate through:  Major Professor

       Approval by:  Advisory Committee, Dept. Head/Grad Advisor, Dean, Graduate School

 

 8.   Submission of dissertation to Advisory Committee

      When:  At least two weeks before Final Examination

      Initiated through:  Major Professor

 

 9.   Final Examination/Dissertation Defense

      When:  Final date for taking the Final Examination in a given semester is indicated in the Graduate Calendar.  After the Final Examination,

      submit the approved Doctoral Examination and Dissertation Report (prepared and sent over by the Graduate School along with degree cards

      after submitting your Request for Doctoral Final Examination) to the Graduate School.

      Approved by:  Advisory Committee, Dept. Head/Grad Advisor, and Dean of Graduate School

 

 10.   Electronic submission of dissertation and signed Publishing Agreement Form (obtained from Graduate School) to Graduate School.

        When:  See Graduate School Calendar for details.