Nomination of Committee requirements for Ph.D. Students
The Dissertation Committee serves as the examining committee that conducts a review of a student’s proposal and dissertation, advises and aids the student in completing their program of study, advises the student in their research activity as appropriate, and evaluates the student’s overall progress on their dissertation.
When do I need to submit my Nomination of Committee form?
Ideally, the Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee form should be submitted to megrad@umd.edu before the student presents their proposal. If this deadline is missed, students must submit the form at least 6 weeks prior to the dissertation defense.
Composition: A Dissertation Committee must consist of at least 5 Members of the Graduate Faculty, with a minimum of 4 Full or Associate Members, at least 3 of whom must be Full Members.
Dean’s Representative: The Dean’s Representative should have some background or interest related to the student’s research; be from a department other than the student; be tenured with a tenure home that is different from that of the Chair of the Committee, the student’s advisor, and the student; and be a Member of the Graduate Faculty.
Additional Members: Additional members, including those who are not Full or Associate Members of the Graduate Faculty, may be appointed to the Dissertation Committee with permission of the Graduate Studies Office. Such appointment may be motivated by the multidisciplinary nature of the student’s scholarship or required in special circumstances.
Special Members: Appointment of members to the Dissertation Committee who are not currently members of the Graduate Faculty, for example, scientists from outside of the University, requires submission of the individual’s CV to the Graduate Studies Office at megrad@umd.edu at least 8 weeks prior to the date of the thesis defense.
Nominations: The members of the Dissertation Committee must be nominated at least 6 weeks prior to the thesis defense by submission of the Nomination of Thesis or Dissertation Committee form. This form must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office at megrad@umd.edu after the advisor has signed off for approval.
Chair: The faculty advisor will typically serves as the Committee Chair.
Subsequent changes in a Dissertation Committee may be made with the approval of the advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School.