The Dissertation, Thesis and Mentor

The doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis is to be undertaken with the objective of enhancing the candidate’s professional and personal status, as well as contributing to the area of knowledge in which the candidate is concentrating. The doctoral dissertation or the thesis may be a traditional research study, book, guide, video production, business plan, or any project that demonstrates quality graduate research.

 Most doctoral dissertations exceed 250 double spaced pages which includes the bibliography, appendices, citations and other appropriate material. However, each dissertation is unique. Some will exceed the 250 pages and others will be a shorter length.

Most master theses exceed 150 double spaced pages which includes the bibliography, appendices, citations and appropriate material. However, each thesis is unique. Some will exceed the 150 pages and others will be a shorter length.

IUGS strongly advocates a dissertation which will benefit the candidate's career path or the field in which the candidate is or plans to be involved.

(I) IUGS assessment criteria for dissertations
A - An appropriate objective of the study.
B - The ability of the candidate to integrate the material to meet the objectives of the study.
C - The depth and quality of the primary and/or secondary research.
D - The extent and depth of the bibliography.
E - The integration of citations to support the quality of the study.

(II) The number of persons on a dissertation committee
Three members are on the dissertation committee, the Dean, the mentor and one faculty member.

(III) The numbers of readers for each dissertation
Three members or more are readers, the Dean, the mentor and one to three faculty members.

The dissertation oral defense is divided into two parts. Part one lasts for approximately one hour. The candidate will summarize the dissertation. For the remaining time, the examiners will question the candidate on the research, the findings, the conclusion and any matters relevant to the dissertation. At the end of part one, the candidate will be requested to leave the room.

The examiners will discuss the quality of the candidate’s defense. The candidate will return to the room and be informed if he or she has passed. If there are further questions to be asked, the candidate will be required to take part two. If at the end of part II the candidate has not satisfied the examiners, he or she will have failed and must retake the oral defense at a later date.

The candidate must employ a mentor. The mentor is to:

1. Interact with the Dean on behalf of the candidate;

2. Assist the candidate in Research and Design I, II.

3. Approve the candidate's course content for Research and Design I, II.

4. Assist and stimulate the candidate in the development of the dissertation or the thesis;

5. Approve the final dissertation or thesis draft submitted to the Dean.