Dissertation

The dissertation should constitute a significant contribution to knowledge in the field. The student will be guided in this thesis research by a committee. The committee is composed of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty; either one of these members acts as chair of the Dissertation Committee or two members act as co-chairs of the Dissertation Committee. Before carrying out research for the dissertation the doctoral candidate must obtain approval for the project from the faculty members in the area. More specifically, at the beginning of the third year of their program students should submit a seven page document to the PhD area coordinator and at least one other finance faculty member for approval. The document should outline the topic, the research question, and the data needed, if any. This document forms the basis for the dissertation proposal. The student is advised to consult closely with the chair and other members of the Dissertation Committee during the preparation of the dissertation proposal and the conduct of the research.
 
When an acceptable thesis is presented by the candidate to the faculty the chair and the Director of the Doctoral Program will arrange for the School of Graduate Studies to convene an examining committee to judge the acceptability of the dissertation. This committee consists of members of the Faculty, at least one faculty member from another department of the university, and at least one faculty member from another university.