After completing the required coursework and passing the Qualifying Examination, students begin work on the Dissertation: the final component of doctoral study. The first step in completing the Dissertation is to form a Committee.
To ensure that the appointed Committee has the appropriate expertise, breadth within the discipline, and independence to ensure a fair assessment of the Dissertation, approval of the make-up of the Dissertation Committee rests with the Program Director.
Please complete and submit the Dissertation Committee Form to notify the Program of your progress toward completing the degree and to request a review of the composition of your Committee.
The Dissertation Committee
The PhD Dissertation Committee must meet the following criteria:
- Composed of five members
- The Chair and First Reader must be faculty from the PhD Program
- A majority of Committee members must be professorial faculty from Boston University
Special Service Appointment
A Special Service Appointment is required for Committee members
- without a Boston University faculty appointment (including Visiting Professorship appointments), and
- for the exceptional case of a committee member from Boston University not of professorial rank.
Nominees for a Special Service Appointment must be active scholars and researchers in their discipline. When nominating a Committee member for a Special Service Appointment, please upload or provide a reference/hyperlink (in the “Comment” box below) to their Curriculum Vitae.