Thesis and Dissertation Process Overview Role of the School of Graduate Studies and Research
The School of Graduate Studies and Research plays a central role in a student’s manuscript preparation and submission process. It is our goal to make sure that the student’s progress is as smooth as possible. A number of forms and applications must be retrieved, completed, signed or filed in our office. In many cases, a signature from the Graduate Dean is the final one, which means that processes for many required procedures are usually initiated by the student or in the student’s department. The following forms, notices or applications must be completed and filed before submitting the final draft of the manuscript: Form, Notice or Application | Received from | Due Date | Thesis/Dissertation Research Project Approval Form | Graduate Studies | Due the first two weeks of the semester that the student begins the writing process | Human Subjects Review Application Form for New Subjects (if project research requires working with humans) | Graduate Studies & 204, Perry Paige Hall. See Dr. Verian Thomas | Due before begin contact with human subjects | Application for Graduation | Department | Check with department for due dates | Defense Announcement Form | Graduate Studies | Two weeks before defense date | Notification of Defense Outcome | Department or Committee Chair | Two weeks after defense date | Copy of Manuscript to SCGR | Student | Ten days prior to defense | Final bound Copy of Manuscript | Student | 30 days after the defense | Be sure to check with the department for forms and applications that are required.
Human Subject Research
All research proposals involving human subjects must be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board prior to any interaction with the research subjects. This includes research involving surveys (including telephone surveys) or questionnaires. This process can take up to two to three weeks, so it is important to start as early as possible. A student should start by first contacting the Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is an extremely important entity on campus concerned primarily with the protection (level of risk) of the rights of the people the student will will be in contact with during research. Consisting of nine faculty members and one community member, the IRB conducts its activities according to and as required by FDA guidelines (21CFR-Part 56). Follow the steps below in order to obtain an IRB Review:
A. Complete the Application for IRB Review Short Form.
B. Provide the Informed Consent Form.
C. Provide 3 copies of the full proposal (consult with chair before submitting), 15 copies of the IRB Review Short Form, and 15 copies of the Informed Consent Form. The IRB Chairperson will deliver materials to all IRB members for review at the next IRB meeting. The student will be notified of the results. This process can take up to two to three weeks. It is recommended that a student start as early as possible to receive approval in a timely manner. For minimal risk and for minor changes in approved research, a student can request an Expedited Review Procedure, which takes less time and is less formal. Minimal risk means that the risks of the harm anticipated in the proposed research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests. The following is the process for obtaining an expedited review. A. The IRB Chairperson or one or more experienced IRB members designated by the chair may carry out the review. B. The IRB Chairperson or the designated members may exercise all of the authorities of the full Board. A majority of the IRB members is needed, however, to disapprove a research activity. C. All IRB members must be made aware of an expedited review D. The FDA may restrict the use of expedited reviews by an institution when the restriction is seen as needed to protect the rights of human subjects. The expedited process can take up to five to seven working days. All other questions concerning research with human subjects should be directed to Dr. Perry Brown, FSH Science Research Center, Room 207F, (850)599-8839.
Comprehensive Examination
As partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master’s or doctoral degree, a candidate may be required by the division chairperson to pass a comprehensive examination in his or her major field. At the option of the division concerned, the examination may be written and/or oral. Doctoral students should consult their academic department and/or refer to specific degree requirements listed in the catalog.
Defense
It is the responsibility of the student to work with their major professor in determining the time and place of the defense. Sufficient time should be allowed between the defense and manuscript submission in order to make any required revisions.
At least two weeks prior to the date of the defense, a student is required to submit a Defense Announcement Form and the Standardized Defense Announcement Flyer with the title of the dissertation with the date, place and time of the defense to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. All members of the graduate faculty are invited to attend.
The committee will certify in writing to the academic dean of the major department the results of the defense: passed or fail. If a student fails, one re-examination is allowed. The report of the results following a second defense must indicate that you passed or failed. If the student fails a second defense, they will be dismissed from the program.
A written critique of the conduct of the dissertation defense should be submitted by the committee chairperson to the appropriate academic dean and to the Dean of Graduate Studies within a week after the date of the defense.
Defense Deadlines
Fall Semester - November 15th
Spring Semester – March 15th
Binding the Manuscript
Once all signatures have been obtained on the Thesis/Dissertation Signature Page, the student must bring a minimum of three copies of the thesis or dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies, Room 400. This does not include any personal copies. The School of Graduate Studies will be responsible for having the thesis/dissertation bind.
The student is solely responsible for purchasing the required paper and for paying the cost of binding. The price for paper ranges from six to thirteen cents a page. The price for binding is: Number of Pages | Price per book | 1-199 | $ 45 | 200-higher | $55 | A student will need to have three bound copies made on the appropriate paper. The School of Graduate Studies and Research will keep one copy for display. The student will need to deliver a copy to the Library, and one to the prospective Department. As a gesture of appreciation, some students also present their committee chairperson, family and/or friends with a bound copy.
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