Dissertation

The following section covers important information about dissertations:

Dissertation Chair
Dissertation Committee Members
Dissertation Proposal Defense
PUAD 794 Enrollment
Dissertation Defense
Abstract of Dissertation
Dissertation Acceptance by University
Copies Required
Copyrights
Microfilming and Binding
Forms and Formats
Submission of Dissertation
Dissertation Fees

Dissertation Chair
Washington-based DPA students should be paired up with a dissertation chair. If you have difficulty contacting your chair, please contact Bob Biller.

Dissertation Committee Members
The Dissertation Committee consists of three members, including the chair. At least one member needs to be from outside of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. If you need to change your committee or your chair, please contact Bob Biller or June Muranaka. You will need to file a Change of Committee Form (Word doc) with June Muranaka.

Dissertation Proposal Defense
When you have completed your dissertation proposal, schedule a dissertation proposal defense.

PUAD 794 Enrollment
It is expected that each doctoral candidate will enroll in a minimum of two semesters of PUAD 794 (Dissertation — 2 units). If you do not complete your dissertation in two semesters, you need to enroll in PUAD 794 each fall and spring semester until your dissertation is complete. You may earn a maximum of eight units towards degree credit. Once the Final Typing Card has been signed, you are not required to enroll in PUAD 794. However, your dissertation must be accepted by the Thesis Editor within six months of the date of defense.

Dissertation Defense
When you have completed your dissertation and your committee feels you are prepared to defend your dissertation, schedule a dissertation defense. Your defense may be:

• Prior to approval for final typing — In this case, you defend your dissertation on the basis of an approved preliminary draft form. If your defense is satisfactory, your dissertation committee signs an "Approval of DPA Dissertation for Final Typing" card. At least two months prior to the end of the semester in which your degree is to be received, submit the final typewritten copy of your dissertation, accompanied by the abstract transmittal form signed by your committee chair, the signed signature page, and double card to the Office of the Graduate School Thesis Editor.
• Subsequent to final typing — At least seven weeks before the scheduled date of your dissertation defense, file with the Degree Progress Department the "Approval of DPA Dissertation Final Typing" card signed by all members of the dissertation committee. At least two months prior to the end of the semester in which your degree is to be conferred, submit the original typewritten copy of the final draft of your dissertation, accompanied by an abstract signed by the committee chair, signature page, and double card signed by all members of your dissertation committee to the Office of the Thesis Editor for review and determination as to acceptance.

Immediately following your oral dissertation defense, the Final Typing Card is filed with the Degree Progress Department.

Abstract of Dissertation
An abstract of your dissertation (approved by your committee) and the Abstract Transmittal Form (signed by the committee chair) are submitted to the Office of the Graduate School Thesis Editor with your final dissertation. The abstract and Abstract Transmittal Form must be separate from your dissertation document and will be published in Dissertation Abstracts International to announce its availability on microfilm. It must be typewritten, double–spaced on 81/2 by 11 inch white bond paper, and not to exceed 350 words.

Dissertation Acceptance by University
After your dissertation is approved by your committee, it must be submitted in final typed form for acceptance by the Thesis Editor.

Copies Required
The university requires two copies of each dissertation — one copy printed on 20-lb. white paper and one copy on regular printer paper. You must observe margin specifications outlined in the Regulations for Format and Presentation of Theses and Dissertations (PDF).

One copy is submitted to the University Microfilms International (UMI) and one copy is retained by the University for microfilming, cataloging and binding. This copy will be placed in USC's Doheny Library.

Copyrights
You may choose to copyright the dissertation. Information concerning forms and fees is available from the Thesis Editor via e-mail or by calling (213) 740–9051.

Microfilming and Binding
Your submitted and approved dissertation is microfilmed. Complete an agreement form provided in the UMI booklet, "Publishing Your Dissertation: How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Publication."

Forms and Formats
The following forms and formats are used in the process of completing a dissertation:

• Double Dissertation Cards — These cards report on the final dissertation and are for the School of Policy, Planning, and Development and the USC Registrar. They may be obtained from June Muranaka via e-mail or at (213) 740–0529.
• Format for Dissertation — All dissertations submitted in fulfillment of requirements for the doctorate must conform to the university regulations (PDF) with regard to format and method of presentation.
• Dissertation Signature Page — A signature page, to be bound with the dissertation, must be signed by each member of the dissertation committee. Submit this page to the Office of Student Affairs for the date and signature of the Dean of the School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Submission of Dissertation
The Thesis Editor must accept the final typed dissertation within six months after your dissertation committee has signed the "Approval of Dissertation for Final Typing." Late submission of the dissertation requires certification by the dissertation committee chair and will be subject to a $100 late fee for each six months thereafter.

Dissertation Fees
The doctoral candidate must pay a fee as part of the final requirement for the degree. The fee covers the cost of microfilming and binding the dissertation and publication of the dissertation abstract. Please contact June Muranaka for more information.