Defense of the Dissertation

After the dissertation is written, the student must complete a successful oral defense of the dissertation before their committee. Others may also attend the thesis defense and the date, time, and location are publicized. The student presents their dissertation research and then the floor is open to anyone in attendance to ask questions. Following a first round of questions, those who are not members of the Dissertation Committee are asked to leave. After a period of questioning by the committee members, the candidate leaves the room as well. At that time the committee will determine whether the written dissertation can be accepted or whether it requires revision first. Once the committee accepts the initial or revised dissertation, and all required coursework is finished, the student has completed the requirements for the degree. The student should provide the department with a bound copy of the final dissertation for the departmental library.