How to Get a Doctorate Degree
Deciding to go for your doctorate degree is a big decision that requires a lot of money, time, and diligence. View the time spent working toward your doctorate as an "investment" that will pay you back in the future. One way it will pay you back is with the three letters "PhD" attached to your name. Having those letters associated with your name will increase your credibility in your chosen field of expertise and research.
Things You'll Need
- Master's degree Passing score on pre-doctoral comprehensive examination Advisory-committee approval of final dissertation and dissertation defense
Instructions
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Take and pass the pre-doctoral "comprehensive examination" within your first two years of graduate-school enrollment. Your doctoral advisor and advisory committee will administer this exam. The purpose of the exam is for you to demonstrate your current knowledge in the field of study you have selected for your doctorate degree. Once you pass the exam, the advisory committee will elevate your enrollment status to "doctoral candidacy."
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Submit a "dissertation proposal." The dissertation proposal should identify problems or issues of concern in your particular field of study, along with the methods you plan to use in your research of the problems or issues. Every institution that grants doctorate degrees has its own specific dissertation rules and procedures, but most have the same basic requirements. Your advisor will coach you throughout the process, including the preparation of your dissertation proposal, which the entire advisory committee must then approve.
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Perform the research and write your dissertation. Submit your completed dissertation to your advisor and committee for review and acceptance.
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When the committee has approved your dissertation, prepare for your "dissertation defense," in which you take an oral examination before the advisory committee, based on the contents of your dissertation. In this final examination, you typically present a summary of your dissertation purpose, research and results, and then the advisory committee asks you questions regarding your dissertation; they will evaluate your responses to determine whether you meet the criteria for the doctoral degree. When you successfully complete the dissertation defense, your advisory committee will inform you of your official PhD status.
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Complete any remaining steps your academic institute requires to complete the dissertation process, such as having copies of the text printed, bound, and distributed to the appropriate locations and individuals. You are now ready to formally participate in the conferring of your doctorate degree during the graduation ceremony.
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