Prerequisites 
(1) advanced ELPS Ph.D. standing (Hg Ed or Ed Admin emphasis), (2) endorsement of the major professor, and (3) permission of respective instructor.

Seminar Overview and Goals
This seminar is designed as a semi-structured working group to assist students in various stages of the dissertation process, although emphasis is placed squarely on development of the first three dissertation chapters. However, students may be: developing their dissertation topic and research design, writing a prospectus or proposal, collecting and/or analyzing data, writing concluding chapters, or preparing for the final oral examination. Upon consultation with their major professors, students will contract with the instructor to specify the dissertation-related task(s) they will complete during the semester and propose course credit (1-3 hours) commensurate with the set of tasks. Each enrolled student will also present at least two oral and written status reports during the semester and field students’ and instructors' questions.

Articles and chapters will be assigned for reading and discussion, and additional resources are available on E-reserve. Short assignments and tasks will be incorporated to augment students' knowledge bases and facilitate dissertation progress. Simultaneously, students are responsible for conducting their own independent research to identify, read, evaluate, and incorporate content and methodological literature appropriate to their topics.
Notes:

• Students are expected to work closely with their respective major professors throughout all stages of the dissertation process.
• Completing assigned readings and participating in all face-to-face class or Blackboard sessions, while necessary, provide insufficient grounds for A or B grades.
• Status reports must be posted on Blackboard by 4:00 p.m. Monday prior to the designated class meeting. Comments on other people's Blackboard status reports should be posted by 5:00 on the night of class.

Learning Objectives 
(1) Students will make independent, systematic progress on their individual dissertation projects. 

(2) Students will be better able to marshal knowledge of:
(a) content issues from their respective fields, and
(b) research methods and designs in shaping sound and reasonable inquiry strategies.

(3) Students will contribute to their own and others’ learning through listening and providing input, feedback, references, assistance, and support. 

(4) Students will be better able to articulate, summarize, and present their dissertation studies.

Course Requirements
(1) Negotiation of seminar contract.
(2) Satisfactory completion of seminar contract.