Graduate School: Dissertator Status

Layout for printing
Policy Number:
UW-1247
Responsible Office:
Graduate School

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy defines dissertator status and the use of the status in enrollment and tuition.

Definitions:
Dissertator
A graduate student pursuing a PhD who has completed all requirements for a doctoral degree except for the dissertation. The Graduate School automatically places a graduate student who passes the preliminary examination into dissertation fee status which restricts enrollment to exactly 3 graded research credits per term. A student may opt out if they wish to enroll in other than 3 graded research credits. Dissertator status is not a requirement to graduate with a doctoral degree.
Scope:

Graduate students pursuing PhD degrees in academic programs under the purview of the Graduate School.

Policy:

Eligibility

To be eligible for dissertator fee status, a student must:

  • Pass the preliminary examination(s).
  • Satisfy the doctoral minimum graduate residence credit requirement.
  • Complete all breadth requirements.
  • Complete all program requirements except the dissertation.
  • Clear all Incomplete grades and/or Progress grades in non-research courses (progress grades in 990 research may remain).
  • Earn at least a 3.00 cumulative graduate GPA.
  • Return the signed and dated preliminary exam warrant to the Graduate School.
  • Submit the preliminary warrant to the Graduate School

A doctoral student who adds a master's degree program outside the doctoral program cannot be a dissertator.

Effective Date

Dissertator status becomes effective at the start of the semester or term following completion of all dissertator requirements referenced in the Eligibility section. All requirements must be met before the first day of classes to be considered dissertator status for the semester or term. A student may confirm their status by contacting their graduate program coordinator.

Removal of Dissertator Status

To retain dissertator status, a student must enroll in exactly three credits. A student who enrolls in more or less than three credits will be removed from dissertator status. During the summer term, a dissertator who is enrolled in the general 8-week session for three credits may request an overload for one to two additional credits in a short session and still retain dissertator status. For such requests to be approved, the course must be related to dissertation research or professional training that is not offered in regular semesters.

The removal of dissertator status may have the following consequences:

  • Graduate assistant (teaching assistant, physician assistant, research assistant) stipend rates may be adjusted to the non-dissertator rate, or percent limitations.
  • Fees are assessed at the non-dissertator rate.
  • Full-time status may change to part-time, possibly affecting loan deferral, visa status, etc.

If a dissertator pursues a graduate degree or certificate in another area, the dissertator fee status will be discontinued and regular graduate fees will be assessed, with possible consequences listed above.

Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Dean of the Graduate School
Policy Manager:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School
Contact:
Director, Academic Services, Graduate School -- Kipp Cox, ervin.cox@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2433
Revised Dates:

04-26-2023

Retrieved:
04-24-2025 23:44:21