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2016 Dissertation Milestone Table
The table below shows the eight review levels required for dissertation approval. Each review levels is iterative and may be repeated until the documents meet the standards set for that document based on GCU criteria and general accepted standards of scholarly work for doctoral research across disciplines. Use this table to set target completion dates for the major milestones and levels of review. Then track and adjust your plan (if necessary) according to the actual completion dates.
Review Levels and Final Approval
Document(s) for Review
GCU D Form
Reviewing and/or Approval Authority
Target Completion Date
Actual Completion Date
Level 1 Review: Prospectus Review and Recommendation
10 Strategic Points Research Prospectus
No form Chair and Methodologist
Chair sends Prospectus to Methodologist through LDP email.
Level 2: Proposal Review and Recommendation by AQR Reviewer for Proposal Defense Conference Call
Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) with Scored Criteria Tables
Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) without Criteria Tables
No Form: Approval Email sent through LDP with AQR Reviewer’s Recommenda tion for Defense Call
Dissertation Committee
Chair loads required documents into LDP link, only accessible by the Chair, to initiate this review.
AQR Reviewer
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Review Levels and Final Approval
Document(s) for Review
GCU D Form
Reviewing and/or Approval Authority
Target Completion Date
Actual Completion Date
Level 3 Review:
Proposal Defense and Dissertation Committee Approval of Proposal
Level 2 AQR Approved Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3)
Updated 10 Strategic Points document
Dissertation Proposal PowerPoint Presentation for Defense Call
D-35 Dissertation Committee
Level 4 Review: IRB Review and Approval
Completed GCU D-35 Form
Approved Research Prospectus
Updated 10 Strategic Points document
Committee Approved Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-3) Clean Copy
Data Collection Instruments
Site Approvals Final IRB documents
(updated from Level 2/3 reviews by the Learner/approved by
D-50 IRB Director
Learner loads required documents into IRBNet. Chair approves and submits documents from IRBNet to initiate this review.
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Review Levels and Final Approval
Document(s) for Review
GCU D Form
Reviewing and/or Approval Authority
Target Completion Date
Actual Completion Date
Chair if applicable) Level 5 Review: AQR Review and Recommendation for Dissertation Defense Conference Call
Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-5) with Scored Criteria Tables
Committee Reviewed Dissertation Proposal (Chapters 1-5) without Criteria Tables
No Form: Approval Email sent through LDP with AQR Reviewer’s Recommenda tion for Defense Call
Dissertation Committee
Chair loads required documents into LDP link, only accessible by the Chair, to initiate this review.
AQR Reviewer
Level 6 Review: Dissertation Review and Recommendation by Full Committee for Level 7 Review
Level 5 AQR Approved Dissertation Manuscript (Chapters 1-5)
Dissertation PowerPoint Presentation
D-65 Dissertation Committee
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Review Levels and Final Approval
Document(s) for Review
GCU D Form
Reviewing and/or Approval Authority
Target Completion Date
Actual Completion Date
Level 7 Review: Form/ Format Review & Approval
Recommendation of Dissertation for Level 8 Review
Committee and AQR Approved) Dissertation with all final editing and revisions from Dissertation Defense completed and approved by Chair
Form and Format Checklist Completed by Learner and Reviewed/Signed by Chair
IRB Closeout Form
D-75 Chair loads required documents for Form and Format into LDP link, only accessible by the Chair, to initiate this review.
Form & Format Reviewer
Level 8 Review: Dean’s and Final Approval of Dissertation
Final Dissertation Manuscript for Dean’s Approval and Signature
D-80 Dean, College of Doctoral Studies
Chair submits required documents for Dean’s Review into IRBNet to initiate this review
ProQuest Publication
PDF of Dean Signed Dissertation Manuscript with
CDS administrative staff
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Review Levels and Final Approval
Document(s) for Review
GCU D Form
Reviewing and/or Approval Authority
Target Completion Date
Actual Completion Date
Signature Page Inserted
