May 13 – 30, 2025
Purpose
The Dissertation Writing Academy will provide guidance, instruction, motivation, and support for completing the dissertation. This program is designed to support students in the final stages of writing their dissertation.
Applications Due April 1, 2025
Sponsored by:
- The Graduate School
- University Libraries
- Writing Center
Objectives
- Candidates will engage with faculty, staff, and other graduate students to create a support/accountability group that will facilitate the dissertation's completion.
- Candidates will evaluate various writing practices and self-care strategies to implement a dissertation completion plan.
- Candidates will participate in all Dissertation Writing Academy activities.
Eligibility
If you have advanced to PhD candidacy (passed your dissertation proposal), completed most of the research/data collection for your dissertation, and finished at least one chapter draft (or you and your advisor agree that you have done enough research/writing to profit from the dedicated writing time), you are eligible to apply.
Doctoral students who meet the following criteria will be considered for appointment to the Dissertation Writing Academy.
- Program of Study, Committee Appointment, and Exam Status (all progression documents) reported and up to date with the Graduate School.
- Actively engaged in dissertation writing and conducting data/source analysis.
- Submitted complete application.
- Submitted signed advisor endorsement form.
Requirements for Attendance
- Available 8:30 - 4:30 each day for the entire academy.
- Commit to participating in all group sessions.
- Commit to writing time of 18 hours per week.
- Actively participate in a writing/support group.
- Maintain a written journal/log of time committed to writing and tasks accomplished.
- Approved leave will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Who Should Apply
If you have advanced to PhD candidacy (passed your dissertation proposal), completed most of the research/data collection for your dissertation, and finished at least one chapter draft (or you and your advisor agree that you have done enough research/writing to profit from the dedicated writing time), you are eligible to apply.
You should not apply for the Dissertation Writing Academy if any of the following apply to you:
- You are not yet actively writing the text that you plan to include in your dissertation.
- You are seeking a class or workshop about dissertations—what parts they have, what they should look like, step-by-step instructions for writing one, etc. If you are in this stage, please contact the Writing Center for other options.
- You are not fully and reliably available on all the specified dates.
Features of The Dissertation Writing Academy
- Writing Workshops delivered by the Writing Center.
- Faculty Mentors – Personal Writing Experience and Tips for Success.
- Well-being Sessions – time management, motivation, reducing anxiety, creating a writing/support group, dealing with writer’s block, self-care, physical activity.
- Dissertation Formatting Workshop and support.
- Writing Center consultations.
Dissertation Writing Academy Application
Interested applicants should send complete the application form and arrange to have your advisor complete and sign the advisor endorsement form [pdf] to graddean@mailbox.sc.edu.
- Name
- Department and program
- Contact information (address, telephone number, and email)
- Advisor’s name
- Date candidacy achieved
- Year in doctoral program
- Estimated date of graduation
- Dissertation Title
- 200–250-word dissertation description
- Estimate of how much has already been written (percentage)
- Reasons for attending the Dissertation Writing Academy
- 2 specific goals for attending the Dissertation Writing Academy
Arrange to have your advisor send the signed advisor endorsement form [pdf] to graddean@mailbox.sc.edu endorsing your participation in the Dissertation Writing Academy.
Applications and advisor endorsements are due April 1, 2025.