Dissertation/Thesis Guide

It is never too early to start thinking about topics for your dissertation, plan-A thesis, or plan-B paper. Discuss your topic ideas with your committee as soon as you have formed it.

Proposal Defense

PhD students will need to do a dissertation proposal defense. The department expects you to present the beginning stages of your research. This should be done by the end of your third year at the latest. It is in your best interest to receive feedback on your work in its early stages. The amount of work that you need to complete before your proposal is up to your committee chair. You will need to schedule a time and a room with the main office. This should be a time that all of your committee can meet. You are responsible for contacting them and setting this up. You should make sure you have your proposed materials to the committee at least two weeks before your proposal. After your defense, you will have the committee sign a Proposal Defense form that confirms you are ready to proceed with your research.

Final Defense

Your final defense takes place in your last semester. When your committee chair feels that you are ready to defend your dissertation, plan-A thesis, or plan-B paper, you will need to schedule a time and a room with the main office. This should be a time that all of your committee can meet. You are responsible for contacting them and setting this up. You should make sure you have your final paper(s) to the committee at least two weeks before your defense. You will need to take the Report of Final Examination Results form to your defense. The committee will sign to confirm that you have met their expectations. Your defense will need to take place before the Final Examination Results form is due in order to graduate in that semester.

For complete information on Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines please visit the Registrar’s website.