In collaboration with the adviser, the student must prepare a detailed plan in narrative form that includes the following:

• Dissertation title
• Statement of need or problem
• Goals and objectives
• Hypotheses (where appropriate)
• Present status of the problem
• Methodology to be used in conducting the proposed research
• Detailed outline of dissertation, chapter by chapter
• Detailed bibliography of the subject area, including primary and secondary references
• Description of how the proposed research will build upon and fit into the existing literature
• Tentative timetable for presenting, correcting, and return of chapters

Prior to submission to the UBGS sub-committee, this plan must be presented to the dissertation committee, revised to address concerns raised by the committee, and approved by the committee as shown by their individual signatures.
The plan may be amended after beginning actual work on the dissertation by submitting written requests to the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.