Dissertation Committee Composition

Ph.D. dissertation committees have the following characteristics. Departments/programs may have additional requirements.

• The committee consists minimally of four members. If there are co-chairs, the committee consists of five members.
• At least two committee members must be from the student’s home department/program.
• The committee chair must hold a Graduate Faculty appointment in the home unit. If there are co-chairs, at least the one from the home unit holds a Graduate Faculty appointment.
• At least one member, in addition to the chair, must hold a Graduate Faculty appointment.
• The committee must have an external member who:
  • broadens the dissertation committee beyond the home program to represent a different perspective by virtue of his/her field, location or knowledge application;
  • does not hold any salaried or contractual appointment, tenure line or retreat rights in the home program; and,
  • is familiar with the standards for doctoral research.