After successfully completing comprehensive examinations, Doctoral candidates begin working on their dissertations. A dissertation involves the conceptualization, implementation, and presentation of a major research project. It should demonstrate the student’s ability to make significant contributions to the literature on his or her topic of interest. It should also demonstrate the student’s methodological sophistication and their ability to clearly present their project both orally and in writing. Doctoral candidates working on their dissertations register in three credits of PLAN 994 each semester as they make progress on their work.