Committee Approval
Dissertation, thesis, and project guidelines, research-compliance requirements, and the responsibilities of students, advisors, and committees.
Dissertation, thesis & project guidelines
A. The Dissertation Committee
Students in doctoral programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition, and ability to select, organize, and apply knowledge through a dissertation. The “Guidelines for Preparing the Dissertation,” as developed and enhanced by the Graduate Faculty of Jackson State University, provides examples of best practices concerning format standards that must be met before it receives final approval by the Division of Graduate Studies.
Each student should obtain a copy of the “Guidelines for Preparing a Doctoral Dissertation (PDF).”
B. Master’s Thesis and Project
THESIS: Students in selected Master’s programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition, and ability to select, organize, and apply knowledge through a thesis. The “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Thesis,” as developed and enhanced by the Graduate Faculty of Jackson State University, provides examples of best practices concerning format standards that must be met before it receives final approval by the Division of Graduate Studies.
PROJECT: Students in selected Master’s programs must demonstrate evidence of a high degree of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition, and ability to select, organize, and apply knowledge through a project. The “Guidelines for Preparing the Master’s Project,” as developed and enhanced by the Graduate Faculty of Jackson State University, provides examples of best practices concerning format standards that must be met before it receives final approval by the Division of Graduate Studies.
Each student should obtain a copy of the “Guidelines for Preparing a Masters’ Thesis (PDF)” or “Guidelines for a Master’s Project (PDF).”
Institutional Review Board (IRB) & Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- If your proposed research involves human subjects, it must be approved by the Jackson State University Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- If your proposed research involves animals, it must be approved by the Jackson State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
- A full explanation of the procedures and Federal Guidelines is available at the website of the JSU Office of Research Compliance.
Responsibilities
Student’s Responsibility
- Choosing a chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
- Choosing the members of the dissertation committee in conjunction with the chairperson following the policies & guidelines of the major department.
- Meeting with the chairperson and setting a schedule for completion of the dissertation in a timely manner.
- Keeping on schedule.
- Turning in all dissertation material to the chairperson, typed in correct format.
- Knowing and meeting all deadlines.
- Filing all forms in a timely manner.
Advisor and Committee’s Responsibility
It is the chairperson’s and committee members’ responsibility to know the policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and the major department relative to the dissertation process.
In addition, the committee chair is also responsible for:
- Ensuring that the student is aware of the rules, regulations, and policies of the Division of Graduate Studies and the department.
- Assisting the student in the formation of a committee.
- Meeting with the student on a regular basis.
- Keeping the scheduled appointments.
- Ensuring that the student’s work is properly documented and not plagiarized.
- Scheduling the prospectus hearing, if required, and the final defense of the dissertation.
- Notifying the committee members and the Department chair of the place, time & date of the prospectus hearing.
- Notifying the Graduate Dean, College Dean, Department chair, and committee members of the place, time & date of the final defense.
Committee’s Responsibility
It is the committee members’ responsibility to:
- Attend the prospectus hearing and final defense.
- Read the student’s work throughout the writing process.
- Provide written feedback for correcting and/or improving the dissertation.
Department Chair / Program Director’s Responsibility
It is the department chair/program director’s responsibility to know and enforce the policies, rules, and regulations of both the Division of Graduate Studies and the department/program.
The chair/director is also responsible for:
- Ensuring that the graduate faculty of the department/program know and adhere to the policies, rules, and regulations of the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Keeping the faculty abreast of rule, policy, and procedure changes from the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Serving as a liaison between the student and the advisor, if necessary.
- Ensuring the dissertation advisor and all committee members are qualified to serve.
Important dates
Keep up to date with all important dates for the current semester at Jackson State University. If you have any questions about the information listed, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you further.
Division of Graduate Studies
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217-0280
Jackson State University
P.O. Box 17095
Jackson, MS 39217