6.2 THE DISSERTATION COMMITTEE
Doctoral students are assigned a dissertation supervisor and second reader in the third year of study.
Appointments to the student’s dissertation committee are made based upon several criteria including the faculty member’s area of expertise, the faculty member’s dissertation load and the research interests of the faculty member and the desires of the student. Students will be surveyed for their preferences in the configuration of their dissertation committee. While student preferences are honored whenever possible, other criteria must take priority. The final decision regarding appointment of the committee is made by the Director of PhD in Leadership Studies in consultation with the faculty members and the student.
It is inappropriate for doctoral students to approach any faculty member and ask him or her to serve on their dissertation committee.
If the dissertation supervisor does not have sufficient expertise in the research methodology chosen by the student but was chosen for expertise in the subject area, the second reader should be chosen with the intent that he or she will serve as the methodology expert in the writing of the dissertation.