Dissertation
Doctoral candidates in our field are required to complete a dissertation that demonstrates original research contributing new knowledge to the discipline. The dissertation should address significant theoretical questions.
The dissertation must include an abstract and adhere to a recognized academic style guide, such as The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style, as approved by the Special Committee chair. It must also meet the Graduate School’s formatting requirements for doctoral dissertations.
You must submit a complete draft to your Special Committee Chair at least six weeks before the B Exam; however, your Chair may direct you to submit your draft to other members of your Special Committee as well. At least five days before the exam, you must provide all members of your Special Committee with a complete, formatted, and editorially acceptable copy of the dissertation for final approval. Keep in mind that your committee may still require modifications. B examinations may not proceed until this requirement has been met.
When you have finished your approved manuscript, the Graduate School requires all students to submit their final, approved thesis online using Cornell Doctoral ProQuest. This requires you to convert your document to PDF format. The approved digital document is automatically forwarded to a local printer. Any charges, including printing, will appear on your bursar bill. Please reference the Graduate School’s Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation website for complete details.
Enrollment in future semesters is not permitted after passing the final exam, even if the 60-day submission window extends into a subsequent semester.
B Examination (Dissertation Defense)
The B Examination (Dissertation Defense) must be held on the Ithaca campus, and all members of your committee must be present either physically or remotely, unless otherwise instructed by the Graduate School.
J.S.D. students should have earned at least 2 registration units (semesters) between the passing of the Prospectus and the scheduling of the B Examination. The Graduate School’s Thesis and Dissertation website has detailed instructions and procedures.
The B Examination is an oral exam that assesses the student’s research and dissertation. It is expected that at the start of the exam, the student will give a brief 20-25 minute oral presentation on the main methods and results of the project to set the stage for the discussion and to demonstrate the ability to present their work. At least two (2) hours should be scheduled for the defense.
Normally, changes are required to the dissertation after the exam and may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete.
B Exam Scheduling Requirements
Understanding the steps and associated deadlines in the dissertation submission and degree conferral process is necessary to establish a successful plan and realistic timeframe. Please review the Graduate School Deadlines for degree conferral to ensure completion of the steps by the deadline.
- At least six (6) weeks prior to the B Examination, a draft of the dissertation is due to the Committee Chair for feedback.
- At least two (2) weeks prior to the defense, the student must complete and return a J.S.D. Exam Scheduling Form to the GFA. Note: Students are responsible for confirming the availability of committee members before scheduling the B Examination.
- At least seven (7) days prior to the defense, the Graduate School’s online Schedule B Examination form must be completed. (DGS announces defense to the field faculty).
- At least five (5) days prior to the dissertation defense, a final draft must be submitted to all members of the Special Committee.
- Immediately after the defense, the student must initiate the online B Examination Results form. After student initiation, the online exam results form is sent to the Chair for official recording of the exam results, then to Committee members for review and confirmation that the results reflect the consensus of the Special Committee, and then to the DGS to indicate that the graduate field accepts the results of the exam. Once the electronic review and approval process concludes, the completed form is routed to the GFA to review and acknowledge before the exam results are sent to the Graduate School.
- Within 60 days of a successful pass result, and no later than the deadline for degree conferral, the student must submit their final dissertation to the Graduate School through Cornell Doctoral ProQuest.
icon and select "Add to Home Screen."