Navigating the Dissertation Process

The dissertation represents the culmination of your doctoral studies and demonstrates your ability to conduct original, independent research in arts administration. Because the process involves multiple stages and approvals, it is important to remain organized and aware of the requirements at each step.

Below, you will find links to detailed information on proposal development and defense, committee expectations, Graduate School forms, formatting and submission requirements, and the final steps leading to graduation. Each section includes links to relevant policies, deadlines, and resources to ensure you remain on track.

Dissertation Advisory Committee

Candidate Forms

All of the forms described below can be accessed through the link below. After logging in with your LinkBlue and ID you will be able to complete and submit the required forms online.  Pressing the “submit” key will transmit the form to your Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Jill Schinberg, jill.schinberg@uky.edu who will review it and forward it to the Graduate School.  You will receive an email notification when the request has been approved.

• Doctoral Candidate Forms

Formation of Your Advisory Committee

Your major professor and your advisory committee should be formally appointed by the Graduate School during your first year in the program. This will require completion of the "Doctoral Advisory Committee Request" form.  Every effort should be made to maintain the same committee composition throughout your tenure as a doctoral student.  Should a change be necessary, for example when a committee member leaves the university or retires, a formal request must be made to and approved by the Graduate School.  To do this you must complete a "Doctoral Advisory Committee Modification Request" form which is also available after you login below.

• Formation of an Advisory Committee

Department of Arts Administration Graduate Faculty - Full Status

Dr. Tom Borrup
Dr. Yuha Jung
Professor Ellen Rosewall
Professor Jill Schinberg
Professor Mark Shanda
Dr. Rachel Shane
Dr. Jaleesa Wells

Department of Arts Administration Graduate Faculty - Associate Status

Professor Tara Baker
Professor Nancy Denholm
Professor Steve Hoffman
Professor Michael Ibrahim
Professor Heather Kuruvilla
Dr. Zach Marschall
Dr. Winter Phong
Dr. Anthony Rhine

Sitting for Your Qualifying Examination

At a minimum, you must complete the equivalent of two years of residency (36 graduate credit hours) to be eligible to sit for the qualifying examination. The request to schedule the qualifying examination must be submitted to the Graduate School a minimum of two weeks in advance of the planned date.

• Request Your Qualifying Examination

Notification of Intent to Schedule a Final Doctoral Examination (NOTIF)

You are eligible to sit for the final doctoral examination after completion of two semesters of post-qualifying residency. In order to provide sufficient time for the Graduate School to identify an outside examiner, you must submit the NOTIF a minimum of eight weeks prior to the anticipated defense date. To prevent multiple submissions of the NOTIF, this step should not be completed until a complete draft of the dissertation has been submitted to your committee chair for review.

• Submit NOTIF

Request for Final Doctoral Examination

This request must be submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the examination. Your outside examiner should be provided with a final copy of the dissertation at this time.    

• Request for Final Doctoral Exam

Final Dissertation

• Dissertation Requirements