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. Doctoral dissertations are typically between one hundred fifty and two hundred fifty double-spaced pages. Master’s theses are typically between seventy-five and one hundred fifty double-spaced pages. Upon final approval by the Dean a date for the oral defense will be established.

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

1. Assist in the development of the annotated outline and the bibliography, which are to be submitted to the Dean;

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

3. Approve the initial and final annotated outline and bibliography submitted to the Dean;

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

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