Unparalleled Expertise. On-Demand Support. Scholarly Camaraderie.
Preface
Welcome to Dissertation Demystified
Dear Doctoral Scholar,
​
I bid you a most gracious welcome to Dissertation Demystified.
​
My name is Ryan. I am a research consultant and doctoral mentor. I created Dissertation Demystified as a community and ecosystem for doctoral candidates (pursuing both a traditional PhD and professional/applied doctorates such as the EdD and DBA) seeking expert support as they navigate writing their dissertations, capstones, or applied projects; conducting research; and negotiating chair and committee feedback.
​
You will soon discover that Dissertation Demystified is not a typical coaching program. We treat you as an intelligent and capable professional first and foremost, seeking to empower you with the academic and research skills necessary to successfully complete a doctorate. I invite you to explore our community at your own pace and to acquaint yourself with the expertise, support, feedback, and accountability members receive on a daily basis.
​
​
This website has been arranged as a dissertation itself, unfolding across five chapters. As you proceed, you will encounter the architecture of our community, the principles that guide our mentorship, and opportunities to experience the Dissertation Demystified approach before ever deciding to join. It is my hope that you will recognize here a comprehensive, ethical, and serious support system that will take an active role in guiding you to becoming "Doctor."
​
Yours academically,
Ryan J. S. Kotowski
Creator of Dissertation Demystified
Chapter I
What is Dissertation Demystified?
Dissertation Demystified is a comprehensive doctoral community and ecosystem that empowers doctoral candidates to finish their dissertations, capstones, or doctoral projects. We are not simply a coaching program. Coaching is but one element of the wealth of resources you will have access to as a member.
Pillars of Support
On-Demand Expert Feedback and Support
Structured Framework to Navigate the Entire Doctoral Process
Sense of Scholarly Community and Belonging
Members benefit from ongoing access to weekly office hours, monthly seminars, and direct engagement with Dissertation Demystified mentors.
Members engage with a 12-module curriculum that provides structured guidance for developing, writing, and executing their doctoral studies.
Members participate in a doctoral forum devoted to sustained scholarly discourse and collegial exchange among doctoral scholars and mentors.
Chapter II
Discover Dissertation Demystified
Dissertation Demystified is a transformative scholarly space where doctoral candidates in non-traditional programs receive the support they deserve; support that is often lacking in so many programs.
Four Guiding Principles
I.
Transform Professionals into Scholars
Dissertation Demystified members are intelligent, experienced, and accomplished professionals who simply often have not been in school for many years and lack experience in conducting original research. With our support, you will learn the academic and research skills necessary to not only become "Doctor," but to become a respected Scholar-Practitioner in your field.
II.
Hold Non-Traditional Doctoral Education to a Higher Standard
Online and hybrid programs provide a much needed space for making doctoral education more accessible. With growing enrollment and strict completion expectations, universities increasingly resort to highly structured programs based around templates, gatekeeping, and compliance that leave many doctoral candidates with a feeling they are not conducting true scholarship. Dissertation Demystified will help you navigate the requirements of your program and ensure that you write a dissertation that establishes you as an emerging expert in your field.
III.
Foster Intellectual Agency
Another reality of non-traditional programs is complying with intransigent and prescriptive requirements that chair and committee members are compelled to enforce. This makes many doctoral candidates feel intellectually constrained and forced to react to feedback that does not focus on the substance of your study. Dissertation Demystified will mentor you respecting the requirements your university established while allowing your own scholarly voice and agency to come through your work.
IV.
Become"Doctor"
Becoming a member of the Dissertation Demystified community provides the structured support, guidance, and intellectual mentorship necessary to complete your dissertation, defend, and graduate. Beyond earning the title of “Doctor,” members graduate with a cultivated sense of scholarly competence, intellectual maturity, and professional credibility.
Whom This Community Serves
Dissertation Demystified was created for doctoral candidates who are seeking a comprehensive support system to supplement the supervision they receive from their chairs and universities.
​
The majority of our members are:
​​
Professionals in online, for-profit, or hybrid doctoral programs
Seeking clarity, support, accountability, and expertise
Scholars who demand more from non-traditional doctoral education
Dissertation Demystified welcomes members across multiple degrees programs including:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Management (DM)
Member Outcomes
Finish your dissertation with clarity and less stress.
We mentor you in:
Navigating institutional compliance
and gatekeeping (e.g., proposal and IRB approval)
​
Managing chair and committee relations, expectations, and revisions.
​
Avoiding common pitfalls that
delay your progress.
​
Design an impactful, yet feasible study that will advance your academic or professional career
We teach you how to:
Identify a meaningful topic that
is grounded in a solid literature review
​
Ensure alignment through the purpose, problem, research questions, and research design through thoughtful topic development
​
Implement your study, manage and analyze your data, and translate results into narrative and impact
​
Become a Scholar-Practitioner
We empower you to:
Leverage the results of your dissertation to inform theory and real-world practice
​
Be regarded as an expert and knowledge creator in your field
​
Not only obtain a powerful credential, but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment
​
What Dissertation Demystified Is Not
A transactional pay-per-edit service
​
A dissertation mill that will write your dissertation for you
​
A hype-driven “finish-in-four-months” coaching program
Chapter III
Experience Dissertation Demystified
A Personal Invitation
​
Dissertation Demystified adheres to the value of building trust-through-expertise. Accordingly, we offer two free resources to all doctoral candidates, regardless of whether or not they join our scholarly forum. We designed our Doctoral Colloquia and Office Hours, which you may read about and sign up for below, to allow you to experience our expertise and mentorship approach firsthand. You will leave with expert insights on doctoral research and actionable feedback you can apply to your dissertation.
It is a simple matter of ethical practice and respecting you as a scholar. These are not aggressive pitch sessions. They are designed to be serious doctoral resources.
I hope you consider joining our next colloquium or consider scheduling an office hour in the near future!
Yours academically,
Ryan
Doctoral Colloquia
Scholarly Exchange | Intellectual Rigor | Doctoral Insights
Twice a month, Dissertation Demystified hosts free online colloquia focused on a specific aspect of doctoral research or the dissertation process. Each session includes a brief scholarly talk followed by a writing workshop or interactive seminar.
​
These intellectually stimulating sessions are designed to foster scholarly community, share practical tips, and help doctoral candidates leave with renewed clarity and forward momentum.
Office Hours
Personalized Feedback | Actionable Insights |Doctoral Expertise
During one-on-one office hours, Ryan, the creator of Dissertation Demystified, conducts an in-depth review of your dissertation or doctoral project. The session focuses on identifying strengths, clarifying areas for improvement, and assessing alignment and methodological feasibility.
​
Following the session, you will receive a written feedback report outlining actionable feedback that will facilitate meaning progress on your doctorate.
Have any questions? Contact us anytime at at coaching@dissertationdemystified.com