Checklist for Doctoral Students
Click here for a printable version of the below checklist:
The KSU Graduate School website referenced in this checklist is www.ksu.edu/grad.
- Review the following on the Graduate School website:
- "Information for Doctoral Candidates", also available in the Graduate School; and
- The Graduate Handbook in the Policy Manuals section.
- Obtain copy of a departmental handbook or other documents outlining specific program
requirements from the graduate program director and review these documents.
- Complete the prerequisite/deficiency requirements early in the program. If applicable,
request the advisor to submit a letter to the Graduate School stating prerequisite/deficiency
requirements noted in the admission letter have been completed.
- Select a major professor.
- Select topic for the dissertation research in consultation with the major professor.
- Select a supervisory committee. A minimum of four graduate faculty (including the
major professor) who are approved members of the KSU Graduate Faculty, one of whom
must be from outside the program, serve as the supervisory committee. Check with the
major professor or department to determine if there are departmental or program requirements
regarding composition of the supervisory committee. If a faculty member from another
university is selected, a vita is required.
- Prepare a program of study in consultation with the major professor and supervisory
committee. Review "Information for Doctoral Candidates" on the Graduate School website. Note the program of study form can be downloaded
from the Graduate School website. The program of study should be submitted after completing
9 hours of graduate credit.
- Schedule a meeting with the supervisory committee to discuss the following: language
requirements (if any), program of study, preliminary examination, residency requirement
(if any), courses, and dissertation topic. Obtain supervisory committee's signature
on the approved program of study. It is suggested to provide a copy of the proposed
program of study to the supervisory committee prior to the meeting.
- Submit to the Graduate School the original and 1 copy of the approved Program of Study
signed by all members of the supervisory committee, the major professor, the department
head or the graduate program director, and the student.
- If changes need to be made to the Program of Study at a later date, submit the Program/Committee
Change form to the KSU Graduate School. This form can be downloaded from the Graduate
School website.
- Preliminary Examinations and/or Qualifying Examination-Written & Oral Preliminary
Examinations should be scheduled a minimum of 7 months prior to date of graduation.
The majority of your coursework should be completed. Check with the department or
major professor to determine when to schedule the Preliminary/Qualifying Examinations
and for further information.
- Submit Request for Preliminary Examination Ballot to the Graduate School at least
one month prior to the date of the examination(s). Note: Required form is available
on the Graduate School website.
- Submit the signed ballot to the Graduate School within one week following the completion
and determination of the results of the examination. Retain a copy for personal file
and give one copy to the major professor.
- Enroll continuously for the Fall and Spring semesters after passing the preliminary
examination. If living more than 30 miles from Manhattan, you should contact the Graduate
School for enrollment information. NOTE: Check the date of completion of the preliminary
examination.
- Approval of Proposal. Follow specific departmental guidelines for preparation and
presentation, if applicable for the proposal. Follow departmental timelines for submission
of proposal to the supervisory committee.
- Obtain approval form from Institutional Review for Use of Human Subjects and/or Animals,
or other compliance requirements, if applicable, prior to collecting data. Please
Note: If using human subjects or animals you will have to go through the Training
and Educational Modules for Researchers. This is mandatory for IRB approval. Please
go to http://www.ksu.edu/research/comply/for more information and to complete the training modules.
- Collect and analyze data.
- Write dissertation following departmental guidelines and formatting specified by the
Graduate School. Review "Templates and Tutorials" on the Graduate School website.
- Contact the outside chairperson who was selected by the Graduate School to serve as
the chair for your final examination (defense) to determine available dates to schedule
the defense. This contact should be made at least a month before the possible defense
date.
- Provide members of the supervisory committee a copy of the dissertation a minimum
of 10 working days prior to the scheduled defense.
- Submit the Approval to Schedule Final Examination form signed by the major professor,
department head or graduate program director, all committee members, and the outside
chair to the Graduate School 10 working days prior to the examination. Note: You must
be enrolled the semester you defend your dissertation. The number of hours needed
for enrollment will depend upon your employment status with the University. A copy
of the abstract and abstract title page should also be submitted at this time. The
Graduate School will send an email message to you whether or not the degree requirements
have been satisfied. Note: Deadlines to graduate each semester are on the Graduate
School website. If you do not graduate the same semester in which you defend, you
must still maintain continuous enrollment in the fall and spring semesters and in
the semester you graduate.
-
Complete iSIS Graduation Application.
- Submit the final examination ballot to the Graduate School after signatures of the
Supervisory Committee and outside chair have been obtained. Retain one copy for personal
file and give one copy to the major professor.
- Make revisions to the dissertation based on feedback obtained from the committee.
Work closely with the major professor in preparing the final copy of the electronic
dissertation.
- Submit ETDR (electronic theses/dissertations/reports) final electronic submission
ballot to the Graduate School after major professor's signature has been obtained.
- Submit electronic dissertation. See electronic submission guidelines at "Electronic Theses, Dissertations, and Reports" on the Graduate School website.
- Complete the online questionnaires, surveys, and K-State Alumni Association information.
Bring the Survey of Earned Doctorates form to the Graduate School prior to submitting
the dissertation electronically.
- Pay appropriate fees to the Cashier's Office in Anderson Hall.
- If attending commencement, deadlines and information about the event are available on the Graduate School website.