The Dissertation

Overview

The dissertation is a piece of original scholarly writing that demonstrates a Ph.D. candidate's mastery of subject matter, methodologies, and conceptual foundations in the chosen field of study. A doctoral dissertation makes an original contribution to knowledge by:

  • Asking questions that historians have not yet asked.
  • Providing alternative answers to questions other historians have asked.
  • Analyzing previously unexamined primary sources.
  • Analyzing familiar primary sources in new ways.
  • Some combination of these. 

Dissertation Elements

A doctoral dissertation in History is a book-length manuscript that typically includes all of the following:

A robust introduction that offers an overview of the existing literature of the topic, a statement of the research problem, a thesis, a summary of the sources and methodology used to answer the research question(s), and a summary of the dissertation chapters. See "The Dissertation Proposal" for additional guidance on introduction elements, which may be informed by the dissertation proposal.

Original analysis of primary sources to answer the research question(s), including historical and historiographic context.

A conclusion that reasserts the thesis and establishes the broad significance of the project. Conclusions may also include suggestions for further research.

Full citation, including footnotes in proper Chicago style and a substantial bibliography of works cited.

Appendices or a digital component (optional).

The Dissertation Committee

Formation

Students will form a dissertation committee prior to developing the dissertation proposal, because committee members will provide feedback on the proposal as part of advancing to candidacy. Faculty are not obligated to work with every student who asks them to serve, particularly as dissertation advisor—which underscores the urgent necessity of excelling in all academic endeavors and pursuing research that aligns with faculty expertise in the Department of History and Art History.

Working with a Committee

Doctoral candidates work closely with their dissertation advisor to develop their chapters, but they will need to update the committee periodically with their progress, particularly if the project evolves away from the original proposal.

The candidate works with the committee to determine a method for circulating chapters, either circulating chapters as they develop or waiting until the entire dissertation is drafted. The latter is more common, but faculty preferences vary.

Committee Approval

Committee members’ signatures are not a guarantee. Candidates should avail themselves of their committee members’ expertise and plan to execute changes to the project prior to and possibly after the dissertation defense. The candidate must leave sufficient time for this process to unfold.  

Committee Composition

The University requires that dissertation advisors have a full-time appointment in the department offering the student’s degree. Further, all members of the dissertation committee must have Graduate Faculty Status (AP.6.13 Graduate Faculty Status) or, if a fourth member of the committee is external to the University, Graduate Affiliate Faculty Status. The Catalog codifies rules governing who may (and may not) serve on a dissertation committee in AP.6.10.5 Dissertation Committee. 

Digital Dissertations

As a leader in digital history, the Department of History and Art History welcomes digital or hybrid dissertations in lieu of the traditional narrative form. Please see the extended discussion "Digital Dissertations" for additional details. 

Defending the Dissertation

Visit "The Dissertation Defense" for details on scheduling, defense format, and committee approval.

Submitting the Dissertation

University Dissertation and Thesis Services (UDTS) codifies the format for all GMU dissertations. Candidates should familiarize themselves with UDTS’s procedural and formatting guidance.

Candidates must submit the dissertation for a format review by submitting the dissertation as an email attachment to udts@gmu.edu. The format review may require multiple rounds to pass. Candidates should make note of UDTS’s strict schedule. Failure to pass format review will delay graduation and degree conferral.

UDTS does not review content. Candidates may continue to refine the contents of the dissertation right up to the final submission.

Candidates will submit the final draft of the dissertation with their signature sheet (all signatures must be in black ink) to UDTS. Candidates will also submit the dissertation to ProQuest for publication online and fill out a final survey. UDTS details the process here.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the dissertation defense and execution of changes the dissertation committee requests, doctoral candidates are eligible for graduation and degree conferral. 

The graduation ceremony for doctoral students takes place at the University Commencement ceremony rather than at the college-level degree celebration. At University Commencement, bachelor’s and master’s students are recognized as a group, while doctoral students are recognized individually. In the hooding ceremony, each doctoral candidate is called to the stage with their faculty advisor, who places the hood on their shoulders for the first time, signifying completion of the degree. It is a truly special moment for candidate and advisor alike!

Graduating students receive their diplomas in the mail several weeks later, but academic transcripts and records will reflect the graduation/degree conferral date immediately.

Additional information on graduation: