The Dissertation Committee, comprising at least three graduate faculty (with a suggested maximum of five), should be finalized prior to the defense of the dissertation proposal. The Chair serves as the primary mentor and in consultation with the committee, guides the student in the preparation of the dissertation proposal, the dissertation itself, and conducts the final oral examination (dissertation defense). Only the Dissertation Committee may accept the dissertation proposal and determine the results of the dissertation defense.

Programs will determine whether a member outside of the discipline is required or not. The Dean of the Graduate School appoints this committee upon the recommendation of the major Department Head or Graduate Program Director and must be mutually acceptable to the student and all committee members. Of the three members, the chair must be from the program department, and at least two must be Members of the Graduate Faculty. An appointment as a Courtesy Member of the Graduate Faculty must be made for any member from outside the University.

Individual doctoral programs may have additional dissertation committee requirements. Students should consult the program handbook for specific details.

The Graduate Program Director coordinates committee appointments and adjustments and is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with Graduate School policies. (See Graduate Faculty Appointment Policy for further details).

Students and Faculty may wish to consult the document Best Practices in Advising and Mentoring Graduate Students. This document contains the formal policies and procedures that govern these relationships and conveys general expectations for both faculty and students.