In some graduate programs at the University of Dayton, the master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation serves as the capstone of a student’s academic journey, representing a significant contribution to their field of study through original research and scholarly inquiry.

However, a thesis or dissertation is a requirement for only certain programs. Depending on the specific degree and department, students may instead complete their program through comprehensive examinations, professional projects, or specialized coursework.

Students in a program requiring a thesis, dissertation, or other major project required for their degree may begin work only with the approval of their department chair, program director, or other authorized faculty member. Other restrictions imposed by the academic unit or department may also apply.

Formatting Guidelines 

Each student whose plan of study requires a thesis or dissertation must prepare it in accordance with the formatting and submission guidelines found on the Thesis & Dissertations Porches page. The content of the final work must be approved by the student's advisory committee. The format of the thesis or dissertation will, however, be reviewed and must be approved by the Office for Graduate Academic Affairs. 

Composition of Master's Thesis and Doctoral Advisory Committees

While many graduate credentials at the University are completed through coursework or capstone projects, specific programs require the formation of a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Advisory Committee. In these instances, the following guidelines govern the selection, approval, and responsibilities of the committee members.

Composition of Master's Thesis Committees

A master's thesis committee must consist of a minimum of three members, at least two of whom must be members of the graduate faculty. The chair of a master’s thesis committee must have graduate faculty status as approved by the faculty member’s dean’s office and Graduate Academic Affairs. 

Composition of Doctoral Advisory Committees

For a Ph.D. dissertation, the doctoral advisory committee must consist of a minimum of four members, at least three of whom must be members of the graduate faculty. One of the members must be an external member whose primary appointment is either outside the candidate's department or outside the University. The external member must be familiar with the standards of doctoral research and should be in a relevant discipline supportive of the student's dissertation topic. The chair of a Ph.D. Dissertation committee must have graduate faculty status as approved by the faculty member’s dean’s office and Graduate Academic Affairs. Additional criteria for chairing dissertation committees may be prescribed by the appropriate academic division.

Within the School of Education and Health Sciences, committees for dissertations in practice (DiPs) must consist of a minimum of three members, one of whom should be from outside the institution with demonstrable experience pertaining to the subject of study. With the approval of the Department Chair and the Chair of the DiP committee, exceptions can be made regarding the external member's institutional affiliation and qualifications.  The chair of the DiP committee must have graduate faculty status as approved by the faculty member’s dean’s office and Graduate Academic Affairs. Adjunct Ed.D. faculty members may serve on DiPs, and adjunct faculty members may chair DiPs with the approval of the Ed.D. faculty. 

For both Ph.D. dissertation and DiP committees, the composition of the doctoral advisory committee is recommended by the chair of the relevant department/program, requires concurrence by the dean (or designate) of the academic division, and approval by the Vice Provost for Faculty, Graduate and Professional Education or their delegate.