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Final Defense

After the research is complete and the thesis written, the doctoral committee is reconvened at the joint request of the student and their thesis advisor to conduct the oral final defense. It is recommended that there be a 12-18 month gap between the Preliminary Exam and the Final Defense. The Final Defense must be NO LESS than 4 months after passage of the Preliminary Exam.

1. All members of the doctoral committee must be present at the examination. Teleconferencing is permitted with prior approval. The members of the committee are typically identical at both the Prelim and final defense. Any changes due to circumstances that may occur must meet all Department and Graduate College requirements.
2. The student should present the committee with copies of the thesis at least three weeks before the scheduled final to allow the committee members a reasonable time to study the thesis.
3. The student must request the Academic Office to make the official arrangements no later than 30 days before the scheduled final.
4. The student's presentation is publicly advertised so that all who are interested in the research may attend.
5. After the presentation and questions are concluded, the public is asked to leave, so that the committee can privately pass judgment on the work.

Academic Office Final Defense Contact: Mary Beth Kelley

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Last Modified May 02 2007 12:19:38.