2016 Dissertation Milestone Table

Dissertation table

The table below shows the eight review levels required for dissertation approval. Each review levels is iterative and may be repeated until the documents meet the standards set for that document based on GCU criteria and general accepted standards of scholarly work for doctoral research across disciplines. Use this table to set target completion dates for the major milestones and levels of review. Then track and adjust your plan (if necessary) according to the actual completion dates.

Review Levels and Final Approval

Document(s) for Review

GCU D Form

Reviewing and/or Approval Authority

Target Completion Date

Actual Completion Date

Level 1 Review: Prospectus Review and Recommendation

 10 Strategic Points  Research Prospectus

No form Chair and Methodologist

Chair sends Prospectus to Methodologist through LDP email.

Level 2: Proposal Review and Recommendation by AQR Reviewer for Proposal Defense Conference Call

 Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) with Scored Criteria Tables

 Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) without Criteria Tables

No Form: Approval Email sent through LDP with AQR Reviewer’s Recommenda tion for Defense Call

Dissertation Committee

Chair loads required documents into LDP link, only accessible by the Chair, to initiate this review.

AQR Reviewer

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Review Levels and Final Approval

Document(s) for Review

GCU D Form

Reviewing and/or Approval Authority

Target Completion Date

Actual Completion Date

Level 3 Review:

Proposal Defense and Dissertation Committee Approval of Proposal

 Level 2 AQR Approved Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3)

 Updated 10 Strategic Points document

 Dissertation Proposal PowerPoint Presentation for Defense Call

D-35 Dissertation Committee

Level 4 Review: IRB Review and Approval

 Completed GCU D-35 Form

 Approved Research Prospectus

 Updated 10 Strategic Points document

 Committee Approved Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) Clean Copy

 Data Collection Instruments

 Site Approvals  Final IRB documents

(updated from Level 2/3 reviews by the Learner/approved by

D-50 IRB Director

Learner loads required documents into IRBNet. Chair approves and submits documents from IRBNet to initiate this review.

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Review Levels and Final Approval

Document(s) for Review

GCU D Form

Reviewing and/or Approval Authority

Target Completion Date

Actual Completion Date

Chair if applicable) Level 5 Review: AQR Review and Recommendation for Dissertation Defense Conference Call

 Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-5) with Scored Criteria Tables

 Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-5) without Criteria Tables

No Form: Approval Email sent through LDP with AQR Reviewer’s Recommenda tion for Defense Call