Dissertation Checklist and Timeline

Completing all of the crucial steps to the dissertation process can be complicated. Time and task management will be key to your success. Review the suggested tasks and print out this checklist to assist you in your dissertation journey.

Dissertation Checklist and Timeline

Dissertation Checklist and Timeline
Student's Name:
Dissertation Process # of Days Due Date
Choose Dissertation Advisor    
Choose Dissertation Committee with advisor approval on the Application to Candidacy Form    

Form Dissertation Process Support Groups with other students.

Become familiar with the Graduate School of Education's Dissertation Guidelines. Formatting your dissertation using these guidelines from the start will save you time.

   
Identify defense deadlines.
Develop timelines for following steps working backwards from these deadline dates.
   
Dissertation Proposal Draft to Advisor    
Revision 1    
Revision 2 (if needed)    
Revision 3 (if needed)    
Final approval from advisor    
Submit human subjects form to Institutional Review Board (IRB) if needed    
Search for dissertation funding, e.g., Prof. Raimondi's grant writing course    
Remaining course work, e.g., independent studies for dissertation parts (if any)    
Schedule Proposal Defense (check with advisor's schedule first)    
Dissertation Proposal Defense (announcement)    
Submit GSE Dissertation Proposal Form w/Abstract & Timeline to chair's secretary    
Revise Dissertation Proposal (if needed)    
Collect Data    
Dissertation Chapters Drafted    
Prepare and submit conference proposals (optional)    
Prepare and submit manuscripts to journals (optional)    
Revise Chapter XX (as needed, number of days to be determined with advisor)    
Revise Chapter XX (as needed, number of days to be determined with advisor)    
Revise Chapter XX (as needed, number of days to be determined with advisor)    
Revise Chapter XX (as needed, number of days to be determined with advisor)    
Revisions to advisor (number of days to be determined with advisor)    
Prepare, practice, and give conference talks (optional)    
Dissertation Approved by Advisor    
Dissertation Submitted to Committee and Wait for Comments    
Dissertation Chapters Revised for Committee Members    
Advisor and Committee Members Agreement to Schedule Defense    
Dissertation Defense Scheduled (check with advisor's and members’ schedule first)    
Dissertation Defense (announcement)    
Dissertation Defense    
Revisions to Dissertation 1 (# of days to be determined by advisor)    
Revisions to Dissertation 2 (if needed, # of days to be determined with advisor)    
Revisions to Dissertation 3 (if needed, # of days to be determined with advisor)    
Final Approval by Advisor and Committee Members    
Final Paperwork to UB Graduate School    
Send Form to Dean's Office by May 1 to March in May Graduation    
Total days:    
 

Check with Advisor's Availability Schedule prior to submitting drafts.

Major Advisor is not available during: