What to Look for in a Dissertation Consultant

While every Ph.D. student hopes to experience smooth sailing throughout graduate school, the reality is that occasional rough waters are not uncommon. Once coursework has been completed and the greenlight has been given to proceed to the dissertation, many Ph.D. students find themselves feeling adrift. This is a good time to consider seeking professional guidance.

If you are a doctoral student who needs a little extra help staying on course (or finding your way back), you may be in the market for a dissertation consultant. This academic professional fills a need that many Ph.D. students have when they find themselves largely on their own as they attempt the most arduous academic challenge they have ever faced. While it’s possible to do just fine on your own, it can also be great to have an experienced professional by your side to navigate through stormy weather.

These are a few frequently asked questions about dissertation consultants:

What is a dissertation consultant?
What does a dissertation consultant do?
How can a dissertation consultant help?
What should I know before hiring a dissertation consultant?

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What is a Dissertation Consultant?

phd student studying with a dissertation consultant at a library

A dissertation consultant is a hired professional from outside your university. Most dissertation consultants are seasoned academics who have been through the travails of the dissertation process themselves and who have likely guided a number of graduate students in a faculty role, either as a dissertation chair or dissertation committee member. A dissertation consultant should be an academic well-versed in the rigors of graduate education.

Many dissertation consultants are active scholars who hold faculty appointments at universities or who work in academia in some capacity. Retired professors, who have seen everything during their tenure as faculty, also often remain in higher education and serve as consultants in many fields. Proximity to academia is an important part of being a dissertation consultant due to familiarity with the landscape of higher education and a deep understanding of how it works.

Good question! A dissertation consultant can provide support to clients in a variety of ways, and their role is ideally tailored to each individual client’s specific needs. A dissertation consultant may serve as a mentor, answering broader questions about their client’s approach to researching their topic and finding a gap in the literature. A doctoral student may also hire a consultant to guide them through the writing process, or to help them interpret feedback from their committee.

But isn’t that their dissertation chair’s job? Ideally, yes. But in today’s world of graduate education, mileage may vary. Some graduate students hit the jackpot with their dissertation chairs and develop supportive, collaborative relationships. Many do not, particularly in online and low-residency programs where distance students can be out of sight, out of mind. Not everyone has a strong rapport with their chair; if you feel uneasy about reaching out to your chair too often or asking too many questions, you’re not alone.

As a dissertation consultant, I have seen many different dynamics between doctoral students and their dissertation chairs, ranging from supportive relationships to benign neglect to fractured bonds hanging by a thread. I have met many graduate students frustrated and disappointed by their dissertation experience, and others who are so overwhelmed that they are ready to quit and give up on their degree altogether. In any of these situations, a dissertation consultant can be a good option.

How Can a Dissertation Consultant Help?

phd student studying with her dissertation consultant

In a variety of ways. A dissertation consultant can be brought in at any stage of the process to offer evaluation, critique, advice, and even motivation. For many clients, dissertation consultants serve as a guide through the most challenging semesters of graduate school, when doctoral students are transforming into knowledgeable experts in their scholarly fields. Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, it’s a complicated (and messy) business, and also one that’s life changing.

As a higher education consultant who specializes in the dissertation process, I’ve found every client’s situation to be unique. Some clients have a clear understanding of their research goals, while others need a bit of guidance to shape their disparate ideas into a cohesive (and manageable) project. Still others have a clear grasp of the problem their research hopes to address, but they need help formulating or revising their questions, or outlining the basic framework of their dissertation in order to have a clear map of the road ahead.

As a dissertation consultant, I frequently work with clients who are experiencing a lull in their research and writing momentum and they need someone to hold them accountable for daily word counts and weekly drafts. Others have made it through the gauntlet of writing and revising their dissertation proposal, but need to practice their proposal presentation and get a thoughtful critique in order to perfect it before the big day. Every client is different, but each one needs support.

What Should I Know Before Hiring a Dissertation Consultant?

As with anything in academia, it pays to do your homework. First, have an idea of what your needs are and what you are looking for in a dissertation consultant. It’s okay to talk to your chair or dissertation advisor and get their thoughts on you getting outside help. It often comes as a surprise to doctoral students that many programs and universities even recommend working with a consultant, if needed.

Working with a dissertation consultant is a common practice, and if you choose to go this route, you’ll want to make the most of their time. Think about what your biggest stumbling blocks have been during your dissertation journey, and consider the ways in which you might benefit from added expertise and moral support. Whenever I’m consulting with doctoral students, we always start out with a list of needs and expectations.

If you are thinking about hiring a dissertation consultant, I recommend meeting one first and discussing your specific goals and concerns. Get your questions answered and find out how they can support your dissertation goals. Finally, evaluate the rapport you have with your prospective consultant, and make sure you’re comfortable with them. After all, you might be spending a lot of time together.