A Dissertation Calculator

Below is my version of a dissertation calculator. This is based on Walden University's process; fill in reasonable times for each step. This is a "best case scenario," there are many unknowns that cannot be predicted (you run into IRB trouble, have difficulty getting subjects, etc.). I have been conservative with faculty response times (allowing 2 weeks for each, I have built chair response times into the time for each chapter). If you have writing issues, personal issues, you have many revisions, etc. it will take you longer. My calculator will get you done in 2 years.

	Target Date	Completed Date
Complete a draft prospectus (allow 2 weeks; this is for chair recruitment)
Find your chair (allow a month)
Complete prospectus (allow a term); at the same time, find your committee member (allow a month)
Prospectus approved by chair, committee member, and program director (allow 2-4 weeks)
Complete Chapter 2 (allow 2 terms)
Chapter 2 Approved by chair
Complete Chapter 1 (allow 6 weeks)
Chapter 1 approved by chair
Complete Chapter 3 (allow 6 weeks)
Chapter 3 approved by chair
Proof full proposal, references, complete appendixes, table of contents (allow a month)
Proposal approved by chair, committee member (allow a month)
Proposal approved by University Research Reviewer (URR; allow 2-4 weeks)
Oral Defense of Proposal
IRB Approval (allow a month)
Conduct study (allow 1 term)
Complete data analysis and Chapter 4 (allow a term)
Chapter 4 approved by chair
Complete Chapter 5 (allow a month)
Chapter 5 approved by chair
Proof full dissertation, references, appendixes, table of contents (allow 2-4 weeks)
Dissertation approved by chair, committee member (allow a month)
Dissertation approved by University representative (allow 2-4 weeks)
Form and Style review (allow 2 weeks)
Oral Defense of Dissertation
Final University representative approval (allow 2 weeks)
Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval of abstract (2 weeks)
DONE!

Next time I will discuss making mistakes. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu