Ed.D Program: Anatomy of a Dissertation

The key to finishing a doctorate is understanding expectations, having a game plan, reaching out for help when you need it, never procrastinating, and GRIT.

Life will get in the way. things will come up. If you stay focused, and know that life will continue to throw things at you, you can get finished.

Become very familiar with all your departmental and university guidelines, especially timelines, committee expectations, thesis content, formatting, and submission procedures.

• Come up with a research topic early. Don't wait until the end of the time period allowed for this.
• Run ideas by your dissertation Chair, and other committee members.
• Develop the idea into a research proposal - include as much detail as you can
• Prepare you defense of the idea carefully. This will become your "contract" with your committee.

Once approved, the work really begins. It is up to you to conduct the research and obtain IRB approval (as needed). It is up to you to follow your proposal plan. It is up to you to analyze any data collected, and determine the findings.

              WRITE or READ Every day until you are done.

Even if you only write for 15 minutes, do it. You may not keep everything you write, but it will keep you in the habit of writing IF you write.