Doctoral Readings Examination and Dissertation Prospectus Defense Examination

Once a student has passed his/her Qualifying Examinations, the student should file a Notification of Appointment of a Dissertation Committee form that can be downloaded at http://www.wmich.edu/grad/forms/committee.html.  This form requires the initials of the student’s Advisor, 3 other committee members (one of whom must be affiliated outside the department), and the signatures of the Chairperson, the Graduate Director, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Dean of the Graduate College.  The student should also enroll for 3-6 hours of ENGL 7110 Doctoral Readings, and begin preparing for his/her Dissertation Prospectus or Doctoral Readings Defense.

The Dissertation Prospectus Defense Examination for Literature and English Education Emphasis students is the defense of a 20-25 dissertation prospectus.   It is at this point that Advisors must help students to select texts and form a thesis for the dissertation.  Although the move to more independent study can be freeing to students, it is also the time at which they benefit most from mentoring.  Advisors are encouraged to set up regular appointments with their mentees and to monitor their progress.

The Doctoral Readings Examination for Creative Writing Emphasis students is the defense of a 20-25 page paper that helps the student contextualize his/her creative dissertation within a larger literary, generic, or stylistic tradition.  While enrolled in ENGL 7110, the student reads a list of 20+ titles that will help him/her write a critical essay; many students choose to use this experience as an opportunity to write an Introduction to their creative work or to write a piece that they might use on the academic job market.  Advisors are encouraged to set up regular appointments with their mentees and to monitor their progress.

Once the student is ready to schedule the Doctoral Readings Examination or the Dissertation Prospectus Defense Examination, he/she should contact his/her dissertation committee to find a date and a two-hour block of time in which the committee can meet.   The exam should be then scheduled by the Graduate Director at least TWO WEEKS in advance of the agreed upon date, so that the Graduate Director can announce the exam to the department.  When the student passes his/her Examination, the Advisor should write a letter to the Graduate Director, confirming the completion of this requirement, so that it can be noted on the student’s Permanent Program.

When the student has completed his/her Examination, the student is classified as ABD (All But Dissertation).