WAQP Week 4 Discussion

Dissertation Process Worksheet

Updated March, 2026

This worksheet was created to help PhD students keep track of the various steps to completing the dissertation. Every student’s journey is a little different, so it is important to also follow the guidance of your academic advisors and your supervisory committee, when formed.

Resources (Bookmark these for future reference)

Doctoral Degree Coach | Walden University

Follow the step-by-step guidance in this tool, with dissertation resources and support contacts. 

Doctoral Capstone Resources - Doctoral Capstone Process Documents - Academic Guides at Walden University

Refer to your program’s capstone guidebooks, forms, checklists, and rubrics for program-specific guidance.

PhD Dissertation Documents - Doctoral Capstone Process Documents - Academic Guides at Walden University

Write your capstone in your program’s writing template.

Research Ethics Review Process by IRB - Research Ethics - Academic Guides at Walden University

Initiate the ethics review process by completing  IRB Form A  and then IRB staff will then provide a list of documents needed for that study’s particular data sources and partner organization(s).

Step 1: Committee Formation and Prospectus Development

· Receive your dissertation supervisory committee assignment, following the steps outlined on the page of the Office of Research and Doctoral Services website, and receive notification from MyDR/Workflow.

· Finalize your prospectus, such that it meets all the quality indicators listed in the Prospectus Form and submit to MyDr/Taskstream for your committee to review.

· Committee members evaluate your prospectus and complete their rubrics in MyDr/Taskstream. Once approved, the Program Director/Associate Dean receives a workflow notification to complete their review in Taskstream.

· The Program Director/Associate Dean or his/her designee completes the prospectus review in MyDr/Taskstream.

Step 2: Proposal Development and Approval Process

· Work with your full committee to complete your dissertation proposal (the first three chapters) using the Dissertation Checklist that aligns to your methodology.

· When the dissertation proposal is ready for committee review, you upload it to Taskstream along with a copy of the Turnitin report and the Dissertation Checklist, which you need to complete.

· When the dissertation proposal is approved to move forward by your dissertation supervisory committee, the chair reconciles the Dissertation Minimum Standards Rubrics from each committee member and attaches the proposal document in Taskstream along with the Turnitin report and the Dissertation Checklist, which you need to complete.

· After the proposal has been approved to move forward (the chair, and second committee member have rated all areas of the Dissertation Minimum Standards Rubric as “met”), your chair works with you to move forward with the Oral Defense - Doctoral Capstone Process Documents - Academic Guides at Walden University conference for your proposal.

· Find a date and time available for your committee members to hold an oral conference in Teams and give the time to your committee chair. Note that the request for an oral conference call must be made at least 3 business days prior to the requested date.

· Receive confirmation from Workflow that your conference has been scheduled. All call information will be found on your landing page.

· Participate in and pass your oral conference. Make any remaining updates requested by your committee.

· You and your committee receive notification by Workflow and your landing page concerning the approval of the proposal.

Step 3: IRB Approval Process and Data Collection

· Complete your IRB application with feedback from your chair and/or methodologist.

· After receiving approval of your proposal, submit your IRB application. Refer here for materials and information

· Complete any revisions requested by the IRB.

· Receive IRB approval and Notification of Approval to Conduct Research.

· Conduct your study and analyze data, working with your Chair and/or methodologist.

· Begin preparing the final document by updating your proposal to be written in the past tense.

Step 4: Dissertation Completion and Approval Process

· Work with your dissertation committee to complete the remaining two chapters, using the Dissertation Checklist that aligns to your methodology and the PhD Dissertation Documents - Doctoral Capstone Process Documents - Academic Guides at Walden University . When the dissertation is ready for committee review, you upload it to Taskstream along with a copy of the Turnitin report and the Dissertation Checklist, which you need to complete.

· When the dissertation is approved to move forward by your dissertation supervisory committee, the chair reconciles the Dissertation Minimum Standards Rubrics from each committee member and attaches the dissertation document in Taskstream along with the Turnitin report and the Dissertation Checklist, which you need to complete.

· After the dissertation is approved by your committee to move forward, the Form & Style review takes place. You will be notified of this process via email by one of the editors.

· If you haven’t done so already, please ensure that you have submitted your Graduation Application. The Graduation Application is located on the Student Services tab of your myWalden portal.

· Receive results of the Form and Style review from the dissertation editors.

· Make all changes required by the Form and Style review.

· Find a date and time available for your committee members to hold an Oral Defense - Doctoral Capstone Process Documents - Academic Guides at Walden University conference and give the time to your committee chair. Again, the request for an oral conference call must be made at least 3 business days prior to the requested date.

· Receive confirmation from Workflow that your conference has been scheduled. All call information will be found on your landing page.

· Participate in and pass your oral conference and make any required revisions that have been requested by your committee.

· Submit a copy of your dissertation to Taskstream for committee final quality review.

· Receive notification of committee approval via Workflow and your landing page.

Step 5: Final Steps Prior to Graduation

· Receive confirmation that your abstract has been submitted to the chief academic officer (CAO).

· If revisions are requested by the CAO, work with your chair to address each revision. Once revisions are complete, you resubmit to Taskstream.

· Receive final approval of the dissertation from Workflow. Receive your final CAO Endorsement/Approval page.

· Complete submission to ProQuest, per instructions from Workflow/SRA.

· If revisions are requested on your submission, work to complete these and resubmit to ProQuest.

· Receive confirmation that your ProQuest submission has been accepted.

· Complete and return Survey of Earned Doctorates.

· Receive confirmation that your degree audit has been completed.

· Contact your advisor for more information on attending commencement. Remember, if you want to participate in graduation ceremonies, approval of your dissertation and your final degree audit must occur at least one quarter before the term in which the ceremony occurs.

Dissertation Process Worksheet - 1