Dissertation Defense Checklist

Prior to applying for graduation, you must submit an Application for Admission To Candidacy form which is available on the Graduate College forms webpage. The AAC is a list of all completed and planned course work and is the primary method for obtaining official approval of elective courses.

The AAC should be submitted after your successful dissertation proposal. At the very least, it must be submitted a full semester before you graduate. Check the deadline here: https://www.boisestate.edu/registrar/boise-state-academic-calendars/  Please note that the Graduate College has up to eight weeks to process the AAC once the form arrives.

Guideline for selecting "Requirement Type" categories in the drop down menu:

• Select "Core Course" for any course that fulfills your emphasis area core requirements including COMPUT 601

• Select "Culminating Activity" for COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Exam

• Select "Elective" for any course that fulfills your pre-approved or advisor-approved electives in your emphasis, including Independent Study and Seminar credits

• Select "Research" for COMPUT 693 Dissertation

• Select "Other Requirement" for Practicum/Internship

Once this application is accepted by the Graduate College, the student becomes a Ph.D. Candidate. The Graduate College strongly recommends that the AAC be submitted when the student has finished approximately half of the degree requirements.

Once admitted to candidacy, it is expected that the student will proceed with the research outlined in the proposal defense. Major deviation from the proposed research requires majority approval of the supervisory committee.

Refer to the calendars on the Registrar’s website for the deadline by which to apply for graduation: https://registrar.boisestate.edu/boise-state-academic-calendars/

• Typically the deadline is in the semester before you plan to graduate. While it's possible to apply late, additional fees may apply and complications can arise. Plan ahead to avoid applying for graduation after the deadline.

• The application for graduation is submitted through your student center. Instructions can be found here: https://registrar.boisestate.edu/apply-for-graduation/

Refer to the templates and other resources on the Graduate College Thesis and Dissertation web page: https://www.boisestate.edu/graduatecollege-success/thesis-and-dissertation-template/

The dissertation must be the result of independent and original research and must constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge base of the focus area, equivalent to multiple peer-reviewed publications.  The style and format of the dissertation are to conform to the standards of the Graduate College.

A public defense of the dissertation is scheduled after the supervisory committee has reviewed a draft that is considered to be a nearly final version.  The date of the defense is determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student and must be consistent with any guidelines provided by the Graduate College.  The first part of the defense will be a public oral presentation of the dissertation.  The second part will be an oral exam administered by the supervisory committee who will decide whether the student passes or fails the defense. A student who fails the defense may be permitted to try again but failure a second time will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

If the defense is completed with a result of pass, the supervisory committee prepares a statement describing final requirements such as additions or modifications to the dissertation and any additional requirements such as archival of data.  When these requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee, the approval page of the dissertation is signed by the members of the committee.

1. Ensure that your defense committee is the same as it was when you submitted the Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form. Contact the Computing PhD Program Coordinator if you need a copy of the form. Submit an updated form if needed.

2. Schedule the date, time (one hour duration) and location of your defense as soon as it is reasonable. Once you’ve selected the date and time, contact the Computing PhD Program Coordinator to schedule a room. 

3. Using your student Gmail account, create a Google calendar event and invite your advisor, committee members, GFR, and Computing PhD Program Coordinator, being sure to include a Zoom link generated with your Boise State student account (if applicable).

Keep the following in mind:

• You must schedule a time that works for your appointed Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR).

• You must allow ample time for your committee members to review your work prior to your presentation. 

• You are responsible for creating a Zoom link through your student account if you wish to present online or in hybrid format.

• Schedule one hour for your defense; 45 minutes for your presentation and 15 minutes for discussion.

4. Prepare a title and abstract for your dissertation, and submit the Graduate Defense Notification Form: https://www.boisestate.edu/graduatecollege/graduate-defense-notification/

5. Send the title and abstract to the Computing PhD Program Coordinator for promotion of your defense.

6. Distribute copies of your dissertation to your committee members at least two weeks prior to your defense. Your advisor and committee members may ask you to make revisions to your dissertation before your defense. 

Download the Defense Committee Approval form Print one copy on standard white paper and bring to your defense. Your committee must sign in blue or black ink. 

• After your defense, your GFR will deliver the approval form to the Graduate College. 

After your oral defense is complete and you have made all revisions requested by your committee, submit your dissertation to ProQuest. Follow each of the steps outlined in the ProQuest Guide.

Final submission is managed by Graduate Student Success Center staff. Contact success@boisestate.edu if you have questions or need clarification.