A Dissertation Timeline: What To Expect and Tips To Get It Done

A doctorate degree, such as a PhD, represents the highest pinnacle of academic achievement in a field, and earning one can substantiate your in-depth expertise and thought leadership in your field. Completing a PhD requires both coursework and a dissertation. 

How long does it take to write a dissertation? It varies, but it helps to have a complete dissertation plan that keeps you on track for a timely completion. Here, you can explore a general dissertation timeline and explore some useful planning tips and strategies for completing your dissertation.

In This Article: 

• How Long Does It Take To Write a Dissertation? 
• Dissertation Plan: Tips for Getting It Done 
• Transfer Your Credits and Complete Your Dissertation at GCU

How Long Does It Take To Write a Dissertation? 

The time it takes to complete your dissertation, excluding coursework, can vary depending on several factors. These can include your specific school and program, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student and whether the dissertation process is built into the coursework from the beginning. (At GCU as with many other schools, you’ll complete the coursework first and then begin working on the dissertation.)

Although you’ll likely want to get your dissertation done as quickly as possible, it’s important to have reasonable expectations, particularly if you’re a part-time doctoral learner. You could talk to your dissertation advisor to see how long it takes most students in your program to complete a dissertation and then base your tentative schedule on that.

Estimating the length of time you’ll need is helpful because it can allow you to build a reverse schedule. With a reverse schedule, you’ll write a list of all the major components of your dissertation. Then, you’ll assign individual tasks for these components to certain months and weeks, starting from the anticipated month of completion (e.g., June) and working backward to the present.

Building a reverse schedule can allow you to easily monitor your progress, quickly identify when you’ve fallen off track and determine what to do to pick up the pace. You may want to hang a whiteboard on a wall and put your reverse schedule on it for easy reference. You can write your overall timeline across the top and then make individual to-do lists for each month beneath it.

Remember, however, that every doctoral learner is different. There may be obstacles along the way that could push back your completion date, such as personal or family issues and academic snags. Although having a dissertation timeline may be helpful, it’s also important to be flexible.

While the college and program may differ, here’s a look at the general doctoral requirements and dissertation process: 

• Complete doctoral coursework first (unless the dissertation is integrated into coursework) 
• Identify dissertation advisor and committee members 
• Conduct literature review 
• Develop a topic and research ideas 
• Turn your topic into research questions and write preliminary objectives 
• Identify research designs 
• Create a detailed plan for chapters/sections of your dissertation 
• Develop a dissertation proposal for your advisor
• Receive institutional review board approval 
• Conduct data collection and analysis 
• Write the dissertation, adding charts and other graphics 
• Complete front matter and reference list 
• Defend your dissertation 
• Revise, proofread, print and bind

There are many other smaller steps you’ll need to complete within those main categories. As you can see, it’s an intensive endeavor, and students will work through it at different paces.

Dissertation Plan: Tips for Getting It Done 

No matter how long you think your degree might take to complete, it’s important to follow a time-tested dissertation process. Use the following actionable tips to guide your progress.

Start Writing Your Dissertation Before You Think You’re Ready 

It’s common for doctoral candidates to do an exhaustive amount of pre-writing work, such as background reading, a thorough literature review and methodology planning. While you’ll need to conduct some research before starting to write your dissertation, it’s best to begin the writing process before you think you’re ready for it.

If you wait too long to start writing, you may be more likely to have trouble getting started with the writing process. The sheer size and significance of your dissertation can start to weigh on you. You’ll worry about making mistakes, and because of this, you’ll likely find yourself procrastinating on the writing process.

You can proactively avoid this common conundrum by beginning the writing sooner than you think you should. Remind yourself that it’s just a first draft.

Do Not Write the Introduction First 

When you do begin the writing process, you might assume that you should start with the introduction. However, it’s often best to write the introduction last. This is true not just for dissertations but also for many other types of written works.

If you try to write the introduction first, you’re more likely to find yourself staring at a blank page on your screen. Writing the body of your paper first can help you avoid writer’s block. In addition, after you write the body, you’ll have a firmer idea of what you should write in your introduction.

Accept and Embrace Revisions as Part of the Dissertation Process 

Another common cause of writer’s block that can derail your progress is the belief that the first draft must be perfect. Remind yourself that the first draft is exactly that — the first draft, not the final copy. When artists create ambitious oil paintings, they start with a simple sketch.

Amazing accomplishments start with humble roots. Do your best to accept and even embrace the fact that everything you write will be revised multiple times.

Switch to Pen and Paper Occasionally 

Although saving the introduction for last can help you get over an initial bout of writer’s block, you might still find yourself staring at a blank screen from time to time. It can be helpful to shake things up. You might be able to fire up your brain cells by switching from a laptop to a pen and paper.

If you’re still having trouble making significant progress, switch from complete sentences to bullet points. Make bullet lists that capture all the important information you need to write about. You can make the bullet lists if you need to get all the info down on the page. Then, convert those bullet lists into sentences and paragraphs.

Keep a Dissertation Ideas Journal 

Even when you’re not working on your dissertation, you’re likely to think about it a lot. Useful ideas can pop into your mind seemingly from out of nowhere. It’s helpful to always carry a small journal or notepad to jot down ideas as they occur to you.

You may even consider keeping a digital note on your smartphone to record ideas. There are various apps and tools to help you document and organize your thoughts.

Read Smarter, Not Harder To Stick to Your Dissertation Timeline 

As a doctoral candidate, you’ll likely find yourself doing more reading than you ever have before. It’s not unusual for doctorate degree learners to read through a few hundred resources, from books to scholarly articles to related dissertations. Fortunately, you do not necessarily have to read every word of each source.

Some reference materials you will want to read closely, and you may also reread them a few times. Other materials can be skimmed, with perhaps a close reading of a few chapters or sections. Identify the parts of the sources that are most pertinent to your topic and focus on those, skimming through the rest for context and background.

As you read or skim, you’ll want to create your own index for each source. This allows you to more quickly find the facts you need to refer to while you’re writing the dissertation.

Identify Your Personal Obstacles 

Every doctoral learner has their own personal obstacles that get in the way of the successful completion of their dissertation. If various issues keep getting in the way of your progress, it’s time to sit down and brainstorm solutions.

First, write down a list of everything that’s preventing you from making significant progress on your dissertation plan. Then, write down every possible solution that comes to mind, no matter how far-fetched some might seem. Try these solutions one by one until you find something that works for you.

Take Advantage of Your School’s Doctorate Degree Resources 

Your college and department should offer resources designed to support your success. At Grand Canyon University, the College of Doctoral Studies requires two residency experiences. These allow online learners to connect with faculty and peers in person to discuss their work and develop their research ideas.

GCU offers additional learner resources from the Office of Research and Dissertations, as well as the Doctoral Community (DC) Network^TM — a virtual, scholarly network that supports collaboration.

Transfer Your Credits and Complete Your Dissertation at GCU 

If you have not yet completed your doctoral degree, you may be eligible to transfer credits to GCU to complete your dissertation. The university offers a convenient bulk transfer opportunity for the transfer of doctoral credits from the same type of degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, etc.) and the same type of content (e.g., organizational leadership, business administration, etc.). Learn more about how your credits may transfer by speaking to a university counselor.

When you’re ready to take the next step in your education by earning your doctoral degree, GCU is here to support your aspirations. Our College of Doctoral Studies provides considerable doctoral resources to support you in your studies. With a dissertation process that is integrated into the curriculum from day one, you can get started on your dissertation sooner. Fill out the form on this page to learn more.