After successfully completing their orals and advancing to candidacy, the student begins their dissertation research and writing in earnest. The first step is usually to assemble a dissertation committee consisting of at least three members of the Academic Senate. The committee chair must be a member of the DCRP faculty, and one committee member must be from outside the department.

While working on their dissertation, students are expected to stay in close touch with their dissertation committee, especially the chair. Most students take 1 to 2 years to complete their dissertation research and writing.

When filing their completed dissertation, students must follow the Graduate Division’s “Guidelines for Submitting a Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis”. It is the student’s responsibility to provide an extra copy to the Student Affairs Office for archiving in the Environmental Design Library.