dissertation defense timeline

Want to Get your Dissertation Accepted?

Discover how we've helped doctoral students complete their dissertations and advance their academic careers!

Join 200+ Graduated Students

Get Your Dissertation Accepted On Your Next Submission

Get customized coaching for:.

• Crafting your proposal,
• Collecting and analyzing your data, or
• Preparing your defense.

Trapped in dissertation revisions?

• Code of Ethics
• Dissertation Editing
• Dissertation Coaching
• Free Consultation

How to Create a Dissertation Timeline (With Examples + Tempate)

When it’s time to start thinking about writing your dissertation, it is vital to put together a dissertation timeline. This will help you map out the months you will be spending on your dissertation, and ensure that you’re staying on track. A specific and detailed dissertation timeline will serve as an outline to guide you, step by step, through what can be a long and challenging process. 

While we often refer to a dissertation in a way that makes it sound like a monolith, in reality, a dissertation consists of many moving parts. A dissertation timeline includes a series of milestones that leads up to the dissertation defense , revisions, and final submission of your dissertation. Constructing an outline of every step in the dissertation process , including rough estimates of how long each will take, will give you a realistic picture of where you are in the process at any given time. 

Before embarking on your dissertation, it is a good idea to meet with your dissertation advisor and sketch out a dissertation timeline that is realistic for the size and scope of your project and includes deadlines. This will provide you with much-needed structure and a sense of what will happen next. To get an idea of what a completed dissertation looks like and the components your program requires, ask to see samples from recent graduates in your department. 

These are a few frequently asked questions about crafting a dissertation timeline: 

• What does a dissertation timeline look like?
• What goes in a dissertation timeline? 
• How structured should a dissertation timeline be?
• What do you do with a dissertation timeline? 

What Does a Dissertation Timeline Look Like? 

One way to think about a dissertation timeline is as a kind of outline. While the outlining process is unique to each writer, there are commonalities shared by all of them. Likewise, when writing a dissertation timeline, you’ll want to include all of the basic elements of your dissertation as well as the amount of time you think you’ll need to execute them. 

The best dissertation timeline format is the one that works for you. Though I’ve reformed somewhat over the years, for a long time I wasn’t a fan of intensely detailed outlines. Many people don’t like outlines. And that’s okay! However, writing a dissertation is not the time to be flying by the seat of your pants. To get started, a simple, linear timeline that projects the amount of time you think you’ll need to write your dissertation will suffice. 

Example Dissertation Timeline

Below, you’ll find an example of a dissertation timeline, which you can view as an image in your browser or download as a spreadsheet. Feel free to use the spreadsheet as a template as you build your own dissertation timeline.

Or download the spreadsheet below:

Inclusion in a Dissertation Timeline

When constructing your dissertation timeline, include every element of the dissertation from the abstract to the conclusion. Keep in mind that you may not be writing your chapters in chronological order. For instance, after completing their first round of research and writing their research question, most graduate students will tackle their literature review next, even though it comes after the abstract and introduction in the final document. 

Depending on the field being studied, most dissertations will also include sections for methodology, results, and discussion. Many programs also require a detailed conclusion that alludes to future research possibilities. Every dissertation also has an extensive list of references (pro tip: write this as you’re writing your dissertation), as well as appendices for charts, graphs, and other ephemera. And don’t forget your acknowledgments! 

Dissertation Timeline Structure

The structure of your dissertation timeline will take shape once you’re engaged in the research process. While a road map may seem like an apt metaphor for a dissertation, once you get started you may notice a lot of starts and stops and circling back. After you’ve begun researching, you may realize that you need to allot more time for digging through the databases, or you may discover that you need to reformulate your research question entirely. 

I’ve seen many of my own graduate students use calendars to great effect, giving themselves hard and fast deadlines to meet. Many students also build out their dissertation timelines as they progress, attaching working drafts of their abstract, introduction, and literature review to their timeline within a giant spreadsheet that links to multiple documents and sources. All of these methods are valid. Devise one that works for you. 

Using a Dissertation Timeline

So once you have a thoughtful, soundly-constructed dissertation timeline, what do you do with it? First, and most importantly, try your best to adhere to it. Check in with your dissertation timeline regularly, and use it to keep yourself on track. Also, make adjustments to it as needed. If you find yourself breezing through your preliminary research but needing a bit more time for your literature review, consult your timeline and adjust accordingly. 

While meeting your deadlines is important, also construct your dissertation timeline with an understanding that many graduate students face delays once they start working on their dissertation. These can include hold-ups at the department or university level in the form of late IRB approval or limited lab space or grant funding that gets cut. Anything can happen, but having a dissertation timeline will help you get back on track as soon as the storm passes. 

In my own experience, I also found my dissertation timeline to be a great document to share and discuss with my dissertation chair and committee. Once I finished my comprehensive exams, I met with members of my dissertation committee and got feedback on my rough dissertation timeline to make sure my goals for submitting my dissertation and graduating were realistic. This also ensured that we were all on the same page. 

When writing a dissertation, timing is everything. Creating a dissertation timeline gives you definitive time limits for research and writing, and it also influences several other major decisions that you’ll need to make. These include preparation to go on the job market, which often coincides with writing your dissertation. There is no doubt that this will be a hectic time in your graduate school career, but having a well-organized dissertation timeline is a good way to keep everything in perspective. 

Related posts:

Courtney Watson, Ph.D.

Courtney Watson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of English at Radford University Carilion, in Roanoke, Virginia. Her areas of expertise include undergraduate and graduate curriculum development for writing courses in the health sciences and American literature with a focus on literary travel, tourism, and heritage economies. Her writing and academic scholarship has been widely published in places that include  Studies in American Culture ,  Dialogue , and  The Virginia Quarterly Review . Her research on the integration of humanities into STEM education will be published by Routledge in an upcoming collection. Dr. Watson has also been nominated by the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Rising Star Award, and she is a past winner of the National Society of Arts & Letters Regional Short Story Prize, as well as institutional awards for scholarly research and excellence in teaching. Throughout her career in higher education, Dr. Watson has served in faculty governance and administration as a frequent committee chair and program chair. As a higher education consultant, she has served as a subject matter expert, an evaluator, and a contributor to white papers exploring program development, enrollment research, and educational mergers and acquisitions.

Comments are closed.

Academic Editing and Proofreading

• Tips to Self-Edit Your Dissertation
• Guide to Essay Editing: Methods, Tips, & Examples
• Journal Article Proofreading: Process, Cost, & Checklist
• The A–Z of Dissertation Editing: Standard Rates & Involved Steps
• Research Paper Editing | Guide to a Perfect Research Paper
• Dissertation Proofreading | Definition & Standard Rates
• Thesis Proofreading | Definition, Importance & Standard Pricing
• Research Paper Proofreading | Definition, Significance & Standard Rates
• Essay Proofreading | Options, Cost & Checklist
• Top 10 Paper Editing Services of 2024 (Costs & Features)
• Top 10 Essay Checkers in 2024 (Free & Paid)
• Top 10 AI Proofreaders to Perfect Your Writing in 2024
• Top 10 English Correctors to Perfect Your Text in 2024
• Top 10 Essay Editing Services of 2024
• 10 Advanced AI Text Editors to Transform Writing in 2024

Academic Research

• Research Paper Outline: Templates & Examples
• How to Write a Research Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Write a Lab Report: Examples from Academic Editors
• Research Methodology Guide: Writing Tips, Types, & Examples
• The 10 Best Essential Resources for Academic Research
• 100+ Useful ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing in 2024
• Best ChatGPT Prompts for Academic Writing (100+ Prompts!)
• Sampling Methods Guide: Types, Strategies, and Examples
• Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Meaning & Examples

Academic Writing & Publishing

• Difference Between Paper Editing and Peer Review
• What are the different types of peer review?
• How to deal with rejection from a journal?
• Editing and Proofreading Academic Papers: A Short Guide
• How to Carry Out Secondary Research
• The Results Section of a Dissertation
• Checklist: Is my Article Ready for Submitting to Journals?
• Types of Research Articles to Boost Your Research Profile
• 8 Types of Peer Review Processes You Should Know
• The Ethics of Academic Research
• How does LaTeX based proofreading work?
• How to Improve Your Scientific Writing: A Short Guide
• Chicago Title, Cover Page & Body | Paper Format Guidelines
• How to Write a Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips
• Chicago Style Citation: Quick Guide & Examples
• The A-Z Of Publishing Your Article in A Journal
• What is Journal Article Editing? 3 Reasons You Need It
• 5 Powerful Personal Statement Examples (Template Included)
• Complete Guide to MLA Format (9th Edition)
• How to Cite a Book in APA Style | Format & Examples
• How to Start a Research Paper | Step-by-step Guide
• APA Citations Made Easy with Our Concise Guide for 2024
• A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition)
• Top 10 Online Dissertation Editing Services of 2024
• Academic Writing in 2024: 5 Key Dos & Don’ts + Examples
• What Are the Standard Book Sizes for Publishing Your Book?
• MLA Works Cited Page: Quick Tips & Examples
• 2024’s Top 10 Thesis Statement Generators (Free Included!)
• Top 10 Title Page Generators for Students in 2024
• What Is an Open Access Journal? 10 Myths Busted!
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Definition, Types & Examples
• How To Write a College Admissions Essay That Stands Out
• How to Write a Dissertation & Thesis Conclusion (+ Examples)
• APA Journal Citation: 7 Types, In-Text Rules, & Examples
• What Is Predatory Publishing and How to Avoid It!
• What Is Plagiarism? Meaning, Types & Examples
• How to Write a Strong Dissertation & Thesis Introduction
• How to Cite a Book in MLA Format (9th Edition)
• How to Cite a Website in MLA Format | 9th Edition Rules
• 10 Best AI Conclusion Generators (Features & Pricing)
• Top 10 Academic Editing Services of 2024 [with Pricing]
• Additional Resources
• Plagiarism: How to avoid it in your thesis?
• Final Submission Checklist | Dissertation & Thesis
• 7 Useful MS Word Formatting Tips for Dissertation Writing
• How to Write a MEAL Paragraph: Writing Plan Explained in Detail
• Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen: When to Use Which
• The 10 Best Citation Generators in 2024 | Free & Paid Plans!
• 2024’s Top 10 Self-Help Books for Better Living
• The 10 Best Free Character and Word Counters of 2024
• Know Everything About How to Make an Audiobook
• Citation and Referencing
• Citing References: APA, MLA, and Chicago
• How to Cite Sources in the MLA Format
• MLA Citation Examples: Cite Essays, Websites, Movies & More
• Citations and References: What Are They and Why They Matter
• APA Headings & Subheadings | Formatting Guidelines & Examples
• Formatting an APA Reference Page | Template & Examples
• Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style
• How to Create an MLA Title Page | Format, Steps, & Examples
• How to Create an MLA Header | Format Guidelines & Examples
• MLA Annotated Bibliography | Guidelines and Examples
• APA Website Citation (7th Edition) Guide | Format & Examples
• APA Citation Examples: The Bible, TED Talk, PPT & More
• APA Header Format: 5 Steps & Running Head Examples
• APA Title Page Format Simplified | Examples + Free Template
• How to Write an Abstract in MLA Format: Tips & Examples
• 10 Best Free Plagiarism Checkers of 2024 [100% Free Tools]
• 5 Reasons to Cite Your Sources Properly | Avoid Plagiarism!
• Dissertation Writing Guide
• Writing a Dissertation Proposal
• The Acknowledgments Section of a Dissertation
• The Table of Contents Page of a Dissertation
• The Introduction Chapter of a Dissertation
• The Literature Review of a Dissertation
• The Only Dissertation Toolkit You’ll Ever Need!
• 5 Thesis Writing Tips for Master Procrastinators
• How to Write a Dissertation | 5 Tips from Academic Editors
• The 5 Things to Look for in a Dissertation Editing Service
• Top 10 Dissertation Editing & Proofreading Services
• Why is it important to add references to your thesis?
• Thesis Editing | Definition, Scope & Standard Rates
• Expert Formatting Tips on MS Word for Dissertations
• A 7-Step Guide on How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
• 350 Best Dissertation Topic Ideas for All Streams in 2024
• A Guide on How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper

Dissertation Defense: What to Expect and How to Prepare

• Creating a Dissertation Title Page (Examples & Templates)
• Essay Writing Guide
• Essential Research Tips for Essay Writing
• What Is a Mind Map? Free Mind Map Templates & Examples
• How to Write an Essay Outline: 5 Examples & Free Template
• How to Write an Essay Header: MLA and APA Essay Headers
• What Is an Essay? Structure, Parts, and Types
• How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)
• 8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
• Expository Essays | Step-by-Step Manual with Examples
• Narrative Essay | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
• How to Write an Argumentative Essay (Examples Included)
• Guide to a Perfect Descriptive Essay [Examples & Outline Included]
• How to Start an Essay: 4 Introduction Paragraph Examples
• How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
• How to Write an Impactful Personal Statement (Examples Included)
• Literary Analysis Essay: 5 Steps to a Perfect Assignment
• Compare and Contrast Essay | Quick Guide with Examples
• Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2024 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback
• Top AI Essay Writers in 2024: 10 Must-Haves
• 100 Best College Essay Topics & How to Pick the Perfect One!
• College Essay Format: Tips, Examples, and Free Template
• Structure of an Essay: 5 Tips to Write an Outstanding Essay
• 10 Best AI Essay Outline Generators of 2024

Still have questions? Leave a comment

Add Comment

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Enter your email id to get the downloadable right in your inbox!

Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services.

• Tags: Academic , Dissertation

So, you’ve spent countless late nights hunched over your computer, wanting to contribute something meaningful to your field. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your research, meticulously crafting each dissertation chapter. Now, there’s just one final hurdle: the dissertation defense!

This guide is here to help you prepare for a successful dissertation defense. We will also demystify the dissertation defense meaning.

Let our professional editors refine your dissertation! Learn more

Let’s start by answering the primary question: What does it mean to defend your dissertation?

What is a dissertation defense?

A dissertation defense is a formal presentation and discussion of your research work with your dissertation committee. It’s your opportunity to showcase your in-depth knowledge and defend your findings. 

What to expect: The dissertation defense process

The format of a dissertation defense can vary depending on your institution and field of study. However, most defenses follow a similar structure:

• Presentation : You’ll begin by delivering a concise and engaging presentation summarizing your research question, methodology , findings, and conclusions . This is your chance to shine and captivate your audience.
• Q&A Session : This is where the real “defense” comes in. Your committee will ask you questions about your research, ranging from clarifying specific points to exploring broader implications.
• Deliberation : After the Q&A, your committee will meet privately to discuss your defense and decide whether to approve your dissertation.
• Verdict : You’ll be called back into the room to receive the committee’s decision. They may offer congratulations, suggest minor revisions, or, in rare cases, request major revisions.

How long is a dissertation defense?

A dissertation defense is typically one to three hours long. It can vary sometimes. The presentation usually takes up the first hour, followed by an hour or two of questions and discussion.

How can I condense my dissertation into a presentation? 

Condensing a 100-page thesis into a 20-minute dissertation defense presentation certainly feels like a difficult task. But with just some focus and considerations, you can easily decide what you must focus on. 

1. Start with a title slide

On the title slide, add the details that you’ve added to the title page . This includes your name, credentials, and the title of the dissertation . You could also add the date of the presentation.

2. Don’t dwell too much on the abstract and the literature review

Summarize the abstract and literature review as briefly as you can, because the majority of your defense should be about your research. Ideally, this part of the presentation should be a peek into the research process.

3. Draw attention to why you’re carrying out your research

Delve a little into the topic’s history and background, so that you can eventually connect to it your research, and establish your work’s relevance in the field.

4. Talk about theoretical and conceptual influences 

Talk briefly about the conceptual framework of your dissertation, and the theoretical influences behind it.

5. State your research question clearly

All of this should ultimately lead to your research question. State it clearly, and explain the terms and jargon used in it, the same way you have in the dissertation itself. If there are sub-questions, elaborate on those too.

6. Focus on methods and methodology 

Delve deeply into how you carried out the research. What were the research methods used, and what was your rationale behind using it/them? Explain why your chosen methods are relevant to your project and its aims.

7. Move on to findings and observations

Talk about what came out of your research. What did you learn from it? What can be derived from the findings?

8. Establish how its relevance for future research 

Talk about the implications of your work for future research in your field, and why people should pay attention to them. If you have a list of policy recommendations or an action plan for your own research, talk about that as well.

How to prepare for dissertation defense: 5 Tips for success

Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your dissertation defense:

1. Know your research inside out

This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodology, data analysis, and conclusions.

• Create a comprehensive research outline : Break down your research into main sections ( introduction , methodology, results , discussion) and create detailed notes for each).
• Review regularly : Set aside time each day to review different parts of your research. This will help keep all details fresh in your mind.
• Engage in mock Q&A sessions : Have peers or mentors ask you in-depth questions about your research. This will prepare you for unexpected queries.
• Summarize key points : Create summary sheets of your methodology, data analysis, and conclusions for quick reference.
• Stay updated : Ensure you are aware of any recent academic resource developments or publications in your research area that might be relevant during your defense.

2. Anticipate questions

Put yourself in your committee’s shoes and brainstorm potential dissertation defense questions they might ask. Practice your answers until you feel confident and comfortable discussing your research.

• Consult previous defenses : Look at past defenses in your department to understand the types of questions committee members typically ask.
• Engage with colleagues : Discuss your research with peers and ask them to pose questions they think a committee might ask.
• Draft responses : Write down answers to anticipated questions. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all critical points.
• Practice aloud : Verbalize your answers to get comfortable with speaking them out loud. This can also help you identify any areas where you need further clarification.

3. Practice your presentation

A well-rehearsed presentation is key to a successful defense. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or colleagues, or even record yourself to identify areas for improvement.

• Create a script : Write a detailed script for your presentation. This will help ensure you cover all necessary points.
• Use visual aids : Prepare slides that highlight key points, data, and conclusions. Visual aids can help keep your audience engaged and make complex information easier to understand.
• Rehearse multiple times : Practice your presentation several times. Start with a mirror, then move to friends or colleagues for feedback.
• Record yourself : Use a camera or smartphone to record your presentation. Watch the playback to identify areas for improvement.
• Time your presentation : Make sure your presentation fits within the allotted time. Adjust your content as needed to ensure you cover all points without rushing.

4. Master the art of calm

Nerves are normal, but don’t let them get the best of you. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to stay calm and focused.

• Deep breathing exercises : Practice deep breathing techniques to help calm your nerves. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth.
• Visualization : Visualize yourself successfully defending your dissertation. Imagine the room, the committee, and yourself confidently answering questions.
• Mindfulness meditation : Engage in mindfulness meditation to help stay present and focused. Apps like Headspace or Calm can be useful.
• Regular exercise : Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being.
• Adequate rest : Ensure you get enough sleep leading up to your defense. A well-rested mind is more capable of handling stress and thinking clearly.

5. Dress for success

What you wear to your dissertation defense matters. Choose professional attire that makes you feel confident and reflects the importance of the occasion.

• Choose professional attire : Opt for a suit or business casual outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
• Check for comfort : Ensure your attire fits well and is comfortable to wear for an extended period.
• Grooming matters : Pay attention to grooming. Neat hair, clean nails, and polished shoes all contribute to a professional appearance.
• Test your outfit : Wear your chosen outfit before the day of your defense to ensure it’s comfortable and you feel confident in it.
• Plan for the unexpected : Have a backup outfit ready in case of any last-minute issues like spills or wrinkles.

Defend your dissertation with confidence

Remember, your dissertation defense is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It’s your moment to shine and share your valuable research with the world. By preparing thoroughly, practicing diligently, and approaching the defense with confidence and enthusiasm, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your academic goals.

And if you’re looking for an extra layer of polish and assurance, consider the expert editing and proofreading services of PaperTrue. Our team of experienced editors can help you refine your dissertation to perfection, ensuring that your writing is clear, concise, and error-free.

Keep reading for more information:

• Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style
• How to Start a Research Paper | Step-by-step Guide – PaperTrue
• Top 10 Dissertation Editing & Proofreading Services

Frequently Asked Questions

How should i prepare for my dissertation defense, what types of questions are asked during a dissertation defense, what happens if i fail my dissertation defense.

Found this article helpful?

3 comments on “ Dissertation Defense: What to Expect and How to Prepare ”

Really informative blog article. Thanks Again. Really Great.

Thanks for the brief but interesting and educative guide.

This is an amazing wealth of information. Thanks for sharing.

Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

Your Organization Needs a Technical Editor: Here’s Why

Your Guide to the Best eBook Readers in 2024

Writing for the Web: 7 Expert Tips for Web Content Writing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

How to Copyright Your Book?

If you’ve thought about copyrighting your book, you’re on the right path.

© 2024 All rights reserved

• Terms of service
• Privacy policy
• Self Publishing Guide
• Pre-Publishing Steps
• Fiction Writing Tips
• Traditional Publishing
• Academic Writing and Publishing
• Partner with us
• Annual report
• Website content
• Marketing material
• Job Applicant
• Cover letter
• Resource Center
• Case studies

• Campus Life
• ...a student.
• ...a veteran.
• ...an alum.
• ...a parent.
• ...faculty or staff.
• Class Schedule
• Crisis Resources
• People Finder
• Change Password

UTC RAVE Alert

Dissertation timeline, developing a realistic timeline.

Upon confirmation of a Dissertation Chair and successful completion of the Comprehensive Assessment defense, development of a realistic timeline for completing the tasks that culminate in a successful Dissertation should be established between the candidate and the faculty member Chair. Components of this process include (all steps in consultation with the Chair):

• Preparation of the Prospectus  
• Prospectus defense  
• Preparation of the Proposal  
• Proposal defense  
• IRB application  
• Data collection (upon IRB approval)  
• Data analysis  
• Submission of the complete manuscript to the Chair  
• Preparation for the Pre-Defense  
• Pre-Defense  
• Preparation for the final defense  
• Final Defense  
• Completing revisions and preparing the manuscript for formatting review  
• Submission of the manuscript to the Graduate School via the university's digital repository  
• Completing final formatting revisions  
• Preparation for graduation

Anticipated dates will likely need to be revised along the way. The candidate must maintain a realistic schedule that allows sufficient time for each step in the process, including the project Chair’s reading of, and feedback on, drafts of the Prospectus, Proposal, and final manuscript. Sufficient time must be allotted for the committee members’ reading of those documents as well. Candidates and Chairs should recognize that each committee member may need  up to   14 days  to review each draft of the manuscript. During the break between semesters, committee members are responsible for syllabi preparation, course construction, and comprehensive assessment and other defenses, therefore, the customary 14-day time frame for reviewing dissertation drafts does not apply during the intersession. Committee members will return to the standard 14-day review guidelines on the first day of the semester. These factors should be considered when scheduling committee meetings and the final defense.

Minimum Degree Credit Hours 

The Learning and Leadership doctoral degree requires a minimum of  66 total graduate credit hours (Ed.D.) / 75 total graduate credit hours (Ph.D.).   Each candidate is required to successfully complete  a minimum of 12 Dissertation credit hours (Ed.D.) / 15 Dissertation credit hours (Ph.D.)  and defend the Dissertation. Candidates who do not complete the Dissertation hours within the 12 credit hour timeframe (Ed.D.) or 15 credit hour time frame (Ph.D.) must take an additional 2 Dissertation credit hours each semester through graduation. The candidate must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 Dissertation credits (LEAD 7999) during the semester in which the Final Dissertation Defense is held.  

Graduation Deadlines  

It is also the responsibility of the Chair and candidate to consider deadlines for particular graduation dates. University graduation deadlines are published on the Graduate School website (links:  Thesis and Dissertation ). Since deadlines may change from one year to the next, candidates are advised to refer to the current deadlines when approaching the final stages of the Dissertation process. Candidates and Chairs should also consider program minimum review requirements when considering a potential graduation semester.  F or doctoral candidates, the graduation application should not be completed until the Pre-Defense stage of the dissertation process is approved  (link:  Pre-Defense Process ).

Learning and Leadership Doctorate's Program

Lead programs.

• Hunter Hall #412
• Dept 4141
• 651 McCallie Avenue
•   423-425-5445
• [email protected]

Navigating the Dissertation Timeline: From Proposal to Defense

The journey of earning a doctoral degree is often marked by a significant academic endeavor – the completion of a dissertation. This comprehensive research project represents the culmination of years of study and is a testament to your expertise in your chosen field. Navigating the dissertation timeline, from the initial proposal to the rigorous defense, is a demanding but ultimately rewarding process. In this article, we'll guide you through the key stages and offer valuable insights to help you succeed in this monumental task.

The Dissertation Proposal

The dissertation proposal marks the inception of your doctoral journey—a crucial step that sets the stage for your extensive research project. At its core, the proposal is a blueprint outlining your intended research, addressing what, why, and how you plan to investigate a specific research problem or question.

Clarity of Purpose: The proposal should clearly articulate the purpose of your research. What issue or gap in knowledge are you addressing? Why is this research significant to your field? Your proposal should not only identify your research problem but also justify its relevance and importance.

Research Questions/Hypotheses: Central to your proposal are your research questions or hypotheses. These should be specific, focused, and aligned with your research problem. They guide your investigation and provide a clear direction for your study.

Reviewing Existing Literature: A thorough literature review is an essential component of the proposal. It demonstrates your understanding of the existing scholarship in your field, showcasing how your research fits into the broader academic conversation. Identify gaps or areas of contention in the literature that your research aims to address.

Methodology: This section outlines your research methodology, detailing how you plan to gather and analyze data. It should justify why your chosen methods are suitable for your research questions. Clear methodology ensures the rigor and validity of your study.

Timeline: A realistic timeline is critical for the successful completion of your dissertation. Your proposal should include a timeline with key milestones, from literature review completion to data collection and analysis phases. Effective time management is vital for the overall progress of your research.

Bibliography: Include a comprehensive bibliography or reference list, demonstrating your familiarity with existing research in your field. This not only substantiates your research but also provides a foundation for your literature review.

Advisor Involvement: Throughout the proposal-writing process, consult with your advisor or mentor. Their guidance is invaluable in refining your research questions, methodology, and overall proposal. They can offer insights, suggest relevant literature, and ensure your proposal aligns with academic standards.

Revisions and Refinement: The proposal is not a one-time endeavor; it often undergoes multiple revisions. Seek feedback from peers, professors, or writing center experts. Each revision hones your proposal, making it more persuasive and robust.

Institutional Guidelines: Different institutions may have specific formatting and submission guidelines for dissertation proposals. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to ensure your proposal meets institutional requirements.

Writing and Revising

The writing and revising phase of your dissertation journey is where the research and ideas you've meticulously gathered and developed come to life in the form of a cohesive, well-structured document. This phase is both demanding and rewarding, requiring dedication, discipline, and a commitment to producing high-quality academic work.

Establish a Writing Schedule: Consistency is key during this phase. Set up a writing schedule that aligns with your productivity patterns. Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, allocate dedicated time for writing and stick to it. Regular writing sessions help maintain momentum.

Set Milestones: Writing a dissertation can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into manageable milestones makes it more manageable. Create a roadmap with specific objectives, such as completing a chapter, revising a section, or finishing a literature review. Achieving these milestones provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps you on track.

Seek Feedback: Your advisor, peers, or writing center experts can provide invaluable feedback during the writing process. Share drafts of your work with them and welcome constructive criticism. Different perspectives can help identify blind spots, strengthen arguments, and enhance overall clarity.

Revision is Key: Embrace the iterative nature of writing. Drafting is only the beginning. Revision is where your work truly takes shape. Review your writing critically, focusing on clarity, organization, and coherence. Ensure each paragraph contributes to the overall argument, and eliminate any redundant or tangential content.

Maintain Your Voice: While academic writing demands precision and formality, don't lose your unique voice and perspective. Your dissertation should reflect your scholarly identity and offer a fresh perspective on your research topic.

Cite and Reference: Accurate citation and referencing are paramount. Follow the appropriate style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) meticulously. Keep track of your sources and cite them correctly. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can jeopardize your dissertation.

Stay Organized: Maintain an organized filing system for your research materials, drafts, and notes. A well-structured digital or physical filing system ensures that you can easily access relevant information during the writing and revision process.

Proofreading: Once you've revised your work, conduct thorough proofreading. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Proofreading tools and software can be helpful, but don't rely solely on them. Human proofreaders often catch subtleties that automated tools miss.

Take Breaks: Don't underestimate the value of breaks. Periodically stepping away from your work allows you to return with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective. Short breaks during writing sessions and longer breaks between major revisions can enhance the quality of your writing.

Perseverance: Writing a dissertation is a marathon, not a sprint. There may be moments of frustration or self-doubt, but perseverance is your greatest asset. Keep your end goal in sight and maintain confidence in your abilities.

The writing and revising phase is where your dissertation truly takes shape and transforms from a collection of ideas into a cohesive, well-structured document. Embrace the challenges and rewards of this process, and remember that it's a critical step on your journey toward earning your doctoral degree. Your commitment to producing high-quality academic work will ultimately result in a dissertation that contributes significantly to your field of study.

Preparing for the Defense

As you approach the final stages of your dissertation journey, one significant milestone stands between you and the coveted doctoral degree: the defense. Preparing for this rigorous examination of your research is paramount, as it represents the culmination of your academic journey and a public demonstration of your expertise. Here's how to navigate this pivotal phase:

Know Your Work Inside Out: Before stepping into the defense room, you should be intimately familiar with every aspect of your dissertation. Know your research questions, hypotheses, methodology, findings, and conclusions inside and out. Anticipate potential questions and challenges that your defense committee may pose.

Mock Defenses: Arrange mock defense sessions with peers, advisors, or mentors. These simulated defenses provide an opportunity to practice answering questions and refine your presentation skills. Constructive feedback from these sessions is invaluable in fine-tuning your defense strategy.

Understand the Evaluation Criteria: Different institutions and programs have varying criteria for evaluating dissertation defenses. Familiarize yourself with your institution's specific requirements and expectations. Typically, your defense will be evaluated based on the quality of your research, your ability to articulate and defend your findings, and your overall mastery of the subject matter.

Stay Calm and Confident: On the day of the defense, it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. To combat anxiety, practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization. Confidence is key. Remember that you are the expert on your research, and you are well-prepared to address questions and engage in scholarly discourse.

Address Questions Thoughtfully: During the defense, listen carefully to the questions posed by your committee members. Respond thoughtfully and professionally. If you encounter a question you're unsure about, it's perfectly acceptable to request clarification or take a moment to gather your thoughts. Your ability to handle questions with grace and professionalism is a crucial aspect of the defense.

Stay Open to Feedback: The defense committee may offer feedback and suggestions for further improvement of your dissertation. Be receptive to their input. This feedback is an opportunity for growth and refinement. Even if you're met with challenging questions or critiques, approach them with an open mind and a willingness to engage in scholarly dialogue.

Celebrate Your Achievement: Regardless of the outcome of your defense, completing this phase is a monumental achievement. Take time to celebrate your hard work and dedication with family, friends, and mentors. Earning a doctoral degree is a significant milestone in your academic and professional journey.

Post-Defense Steps: After a successful defense, there are typically post-defense steps to follow. These may include addressing any revisions or suggestions from the defense committee and finalizing your dissertation according to institutional guidelines.

Post-Defense Steps

Congratulations! You've successfully defended your dissertation, marking the near-end of your long and challenging journey toward earning your doctoral degree. While the defense itself is a significant milestone, there are several important post-defense steps to navigate as you approach the finish line.

Committee Feedback: Following your defense, your committee members may provide feedback and suggestions for revisions. Be attentive to their comments, as addressing their input is typically part of the post-defense process. Review their feedback carefully and consider how it can strengthen your dissertation.

Revisions and Finalization: Depending on your committee's feedback, you may need to make revisions to your dissertation. These revisions may involve clarifying sections, refining arguments, or addressing any concerns raised during the defense. Take a systematic approach to revisions, ensuring that each aspect of your dissertation aligns with your committee's expectations.

Formatting and Submission: Institutions often have specific formatting requirements for dissertations. Ensure your document adheres to these guidelines meticulously. Pay attention to details such as margins, fonts, citations, and pagination. Once your dissertation meets formatting standards, submit it according to your institution's submission process.

Final Dissertation Review: Before submitting your dissertation, perform a comprehensive final review. Check for any lingering typographical errors, grammatical mistakes, or formatting inconsistencies. A polished and error-free document reflects your commitment to academic excellence.

Copyright and Publishing: Consider your options regarding copyright and publishing. Some students choose to publish their dissertations in academic journals or as books. Consult with your advisor or mentor on the best publishing route for your research. Additionally, determine whether you need to apply for copyright protection for your work.

Graduate School Requirements: Review your graduate school's requirements for degree completion. Ensure you have fulfilled all necessary paperwork, such as submitting necessary forms and transcripts. Stay in communication with your academic department to confirm that you are on track to meet all degree requirements.

Final Submission: Once all revisions are complete, and your document is in its final form, submit your dissertation to your graduate school or department. This submission may involve electronic uploads, printed copies, or both, depending on your institution's procedures.

Binding and Archiving: Some institutions require printed copies of your dissertation to be bound and archived. Follow your institution's guidelines for binding and archiving to ensure that your work is properly preserved and accessible for future scholars.

Celebration: Earning a doctoral degree is a monumental achievement. Take time to celebrate your hard-earned success with family, friends, mentors, and peers. Recognize the dedication and perseverance that brought you to this point in your academic journey.

Planning for the Future: As you complete your doctoral journey, look ahead to the next steps in your academic or professional career. Whether you're pursuing further research, entering academia, or joining the workforce, your doctoral degree opens doors to new opportunities and responsibilities.

The post-defense steps are the final leg of your doctoral journey. They represent the culmination of your years of hard work and dedication. By approaching this phase with attention to detail, a commitment to excellence, and a focus on your future goals, you'll smoothly transition from the defense room to the next exciting chapter of your academic or professional life.

Navigating the dissertation timeline, from the initial proposal to a successful defense, is a remarkable journey that showcases your scholarly prowess. While the path may be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. By approaching each stage with diligence, seeking guidance, and maintaining a steady focus, you can navigate this academic odyssey with confidence and emerge with a dissertation that contributes meaningfully to your field of study.

Thesis Editing and Proofreading Services Discount (New for 2018)

For March through May 2018 ONLY, our thesis editing service is discounted...

Defending Your Dissertation: A Guide

Written by Luke Wink-Moran | Photo by insta_photos

Dissertation defenses are daunting, and no wonder; it’s not a “dissertation discussion,” or a “dissertation dialogue.” The name alone implies that the dissertation you’ve spent the last x number of years working on is subject to attack. And if you don’t feel trepidation for semantic reasons, you might be nervous because you don’t know what to expect. Our imaginations are great at making The Unknown scarier than reality. The good news is that you’ll find in this newsletter article experts who can shed light on what dissertations defenses are really like, and what you can do to prepare for them.

The first thing you should know is that your defense has already begun. It started the minute you began working on your dissertation— maybe even in some of the classes you took beforehand that helped you formulate your ideas. This, according to Dr. Celeste Atkins, is why it’s so important to identify a good mentor early in graduate school.

“To me,” noted Dr. Atkins, who wrote her dissertation on how sociology faculty from traditionally marginalized backgrounds teach about privilege and inequality, “the most important part of the doctoral journey was finding an advisor who understood and supported what I wanted from my education and who was willing to challenge me and push me, while not delaying me.  I would encourage future PhDs to really take the time to get to know the faculty before choosing an advisor and to make sure that the members of their committee work well together.”

Your advisor will be the one who helps you refine arguments and strengthen your work so that by the time it reaches your dissertation committee, it’s ready. Next comes the writing process, which many students have said was the hardest part of their PhD. I’ve included this section on the writing process because this is where you’ll create all the material you’ll present during your defense, so it’s important to navigate it successfully. The writing process is intellectually grueling, it eats time and energy, and it’s where many students find themselves paddling frantically to avoid languishing in the “All-But-Dissertation” doldrums. The writing process is also likely to encroach on other parts of your life. For instance, Dr. Cynthia Trejo wrote her dissertation on college preparation for Latin American students while caring for a twelve-year-old, two adult children, and her aging parents—in the middle of a pandemic. When I asked Dr. Trejo how she did this, she replied:

“I don’t take the privilege of education for granted. My son knew I got up at 4:00 a.m. every morning, even on weekends, even on holidays; and it’s a blessing that he’s seen that work ethic and that dedication and the end result.”

Importantly, Dr. Trejo also exercised regularly and joined several online writing groups at UArizona. She mobilized her support network— her partner, parents, and even friends from high school to help care for her son.

The challenges you face during the writing process can vary by discipline. Jessika Iwanski is an MD/PhD student who in 2022 defended her dissertation on genetic mutations in sarcomeric proteins that lead to severe, neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. She described her writing experience as “an intricate process of balancing many things at once with a deadline (defense day) that seems to be creeping up faster and faster— finishing up experiments, drafting the dissertation, preparing your presentation, filling out all the necessary documents for your defense and also, for MD/PhD students, beginning to reintegrate into the clinical world (reviewing your clinical knowledge and skill sets)!”

But no matter what your unique challenges are, writing a dissertation can take a toll on your mental health. Almost every student I spoke with said they saw a therapist and found their sessions enormously helpful. They also looked to the people in their lives for support. Dr. Betsy Labiner, who wrote her dissertation on Interiority, Truth, and Violence in Early Modern Drama, recommended, “Keep your loved ones close! This is so hard – the dissertation lends itself to isolation, especially in the final stages. Plus, a huge number of your family and friends simply won’t understand what you’re going through. But they love you and want to help and are great for getting you out of your head and into a space where you can enjoy life even when you feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash.”

While you might sometimes feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash, remember: a) no it’s not, you brilliant scholar, and b) the best dissertations aren’t necessarily perfect dissertations. According to Dr. Trejo, “The best dissertation is a done dissertation.” So don’t get hung up on perfecting every detail of your work. Think of your dissertation as a long-form assignment that you need to finish in order to move onto the next stage of your career. Many students continue revising after graduation and submit their work for publication or other professional objectives.

When you do finish writing your dissertation, it’s time to schedule your defense and invite friends and family to the part of the exam that’s open to the public. When that moment comes, how do you prepare to present your work and field questions about it?

“I reread my dissertation in full in one sitting,” said Dr. Labiner. “During all my time writing it, I’d never read more than one complete chapter at a time! It was a huge confidence boost to read my work in full and realize that I had produced a compelling, engaging, original argument.”

There are many other ways to prepare: create presentation slides and practice presenting them to friends or alone; think of questions you might be asked and answer them; think about what you want to wear or where you might want to sit (if you’re presenting on Zoom) that might give you a confidence boost. Iwanksi practiced presenting with her mentor and reviewed current papers to anticipate what questions her committee might ask.  If you want to really get in the zone, you can emulate Dr. Labiner and do a full dress rehearsal on Zoom the day before your defense.

But no matter what you do, you’ll still be nervous:

“I had a sense of the logistics, the timing, and so on, but I didn’t really have clear expectations outside of the structure. It was a sort of nebulous three hours in which I expected to be nauseatingly terrified,” recalled Dr. Labiner.

“I expected it to be terrifying, with lots of difficult questions and constructive criticism/comments given,” agreed Iwanski.

“I expected it to be very scary,” said Dr. Trejo.

“I expected it to be like I was on trial, and I’d have to defend myself and prove I deserved a PhD,” said Dr Atkins.

And, eventually, inexorably, it will be time to present.  

“It was actually very enjoyable” said Iwanski. “It was more of a celebration of years of work put into this project—not only by me but by my mentor, colleagues, lab members and collaborators! I felt very supported by all my committee members and, rather than it being a rapid fire of questions, it was more of a scientific discussion amongst colleagues who are passionate about heart disease and muscle biology.”

“I was anxious right when I logged on to the Zoom call for it,” said Dr. Labiner, “but I was blown away by the number of family and friends that showed up to support me. I had invited a lot of people who I didn’t at all think would come, but every single person I invited was there! Having about 40 guests – many of them joining from different states and several from different countries! – made me feel so loved and celebrated that my nerves were steadied very quickly. It also helped me go into ‘teaching mode’ about my work, so it felt like getting to lead a seminar on my most favorite literature.”

“In reality, my dissertation defense was similar to presenting at an academic conference,” said Dr. Atkins. “I went over my research in a practiced and organized way, and I fielded questions from the audience.

“It was a celebration and an important benchmark for me,” said Dr. Trejo. “It was a pretty happy day. Like the punctuation at the end of your sentence: this sentence is done; this journey is done. You can start the next sentence.”

If you want to learn more about dissertations in your own discipline, don’t hesitate to reach out to graduates from your program and ask them about their experiences. If you’d like to avail yourself of some of the resources that helped students in this article while they wrote and defended their dissertations, check out these links:

The Graduate Writing Lab

https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center/graduate-writing-lab

The Writing Skills Improvement Program

https://wsip.arizona.edu

Campus Health Counseling and Psych Services

https://caps.arizona.edu

https://www.scribbr.com/

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

VIII. Dissertation Defense

A. final exam (dissertation defense) timeline.

The final exam (Dissertation Defense) may not be held until the session after satisfactorily completing the comprehensive exam; however, a student must pass the final exam no later than five years after passing the comprehensive exam. Failure to meet this deadline will result in reexamination of the student to determine their qualifications for taking the final exam. In the final semester, doctoral students may register for Doctoral Final Registration (GRAD:6003), which requires a 1 s.h. tuition and fees payment, or appropriate course work. See section O of the Graduate College Manual .

B. Registering for Dissertation Credits

Once a student has passed the comprehensive examination, they can register for dissertation credits.

C. Completing the dissertation

Completing the dissertation includes nine key steps: (1) preliminary planning, (2) forming a PhD dissertation committee, (3) developing a proposal document, (4) conducting the PhD dissertation proposal meeting, (5) completing the research, (6) conducting the dissertation defense, (7) formatting the approved final dissertation, (8) submitting the final document to the Graduate College, and (9) publishing manuscripts based on the dissertation. Each of these steps is described in detail below.

1. Preliminary Planning

Three key items must be accomplished in this period.

• Reviewing Graduate College Requirements. Prior to beginning the dissertation, students should review the Graduate College requirements related to the dissertation at https://www.grad.uiowa.edu/academics/thesis-and-dissertation.
• Selecting a PhD Dissertation Chair. The first issue to clarify is whether the student’s advisor or a different graduate faculty member will be the Chair of the student’s dissertation committee. In most cases, they are the same. However, in cases where interests have evolved, the advisor and Chair may be different people. Typically, one’s dissertation Chair is a faculty member whose research is well-aligned with that of the student.
• Selecting a PhD Dissertation Format. The College of Nursing has two approved formats for the dissertation: a traditional dissertation and a three-paper dissertation. A flowchart depiction of the nine steps is provided in Figure 1, highlighting key differences between the traditional dissertation and the three-paper dissertation.

The student and PhD Dissertation Chair should determine which dissertation format is best suited to the student’s pedagogical needs and planned research. The format chosen impacts the proposal and final document format. The discussion to decide which dissertation format to use should include an assessment of the student’s preparedness within their proposed content area, including their course work, grant writing, research experiences, and prior papers or presentations. A student with significant background within a particular content area may be well positioned to successfully complete a three-paper dissertation. Students still developing expertise in their content area may be better suited to a traditional dissertation. Other considerations in choosing the format include the type of study the student is proposing to conduct (i.e., qualitative mixed methods, or quantitative).

Traditional Dissertation Format

This format typically has five chapters:

• Chapter 1 provides an introduction and establishes the problem significance,
• Chapter 2 provides an in-depth literature review,
• Chapter 3 describes the planned methods for the study,
• Chapter 4 summarizes the results, and
• Chapter 5 discusses the study’s findings.

This formatting option provides students with the following:

• A standard and common approach to addressing a research problem.
• An opportunity for in-depth exploration and examination of the scientific literature in a comprehensive review of the literature.
• An opportunity for in-depth presentation of qualitative data, analysis, and interpretation.

Three-Paper Dissertation Format

This formatting option may increase the opportunity for students to publish papers from their dissertation work in a timelier manner and to form a coherent body of research in a particular scholarly area. The three papers must represent a single coherent research topic, not a series of unconnected topics. However, the three papers must be distinct. They may either address two or three separate research aims or, if they address only one, aims must differ in significant fashion, such as in theoretical perspective, approach, methodology, sample, and/or dataset. At least one paper must be data-based. The other two may be a literature synthesis or a conceptual/theoretical or methodological paper. At the Dissertation Proposal Meeting and/or at the time of the Dissertation Defense, at the discretion of the PhD Dissertation Committee, up to two of the three papers may have been previously written, submitted, and/or published by the student if they meet the following criteria:

• The student is first author on the paper, unless there are compelling circumstances for second authorship.
• The student clearly indicates their contributions to the paper for a coauthored paper. (The coauthors should be listed in an acknowledgement at the end of the dissertation chapter).
• The work was completed while the student was enrolled in the PhD program; and
• The PhD Dissertation Committee agrees that the papers are consistent with the criteria for a three-paper dissertation.

If the Dissertation Committee allows a previously published or in-press article to be part of the dissertation, the student must clarify and follow the journal’s guidelines and policies for reproduction of the article in the student’s dissertation. The PhD Dissertation Committee is under no obligation to accept previously published, accepted, or submitted papers as meeting the requirement of the dissertation. For the papers to be accepted as part of the dissertation, the Dissertation Committee must agree at the time of the Dissertation Defense that the papers are of potential publishable quality in a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal approved by the student’s Dissertation Committee.

2. Forming a PhD Dissertation Committee

The PhD Dissertation Committee guides and evaluates the student’s dissertation. The specifications regarding the formation of the PhD Dissertation Committee are the same for both dissertation formats. The following steps are required:

•  Selecting PhD Dissertation Committee Members. In consultation with the Dissertation Chair, the student needs to identify and form a Dissertation Committee. It is the student’s role to formally invite the Dissertation Committee members.
• Ensure Appropriate PhD Dissertation Committee Composition. The PhD Dissertation Committee is comprised of at least five graduate faculty members (i.e., tenure track) holding professorial rank (Assistant Professor or above). At least two members should be CON faculty. At least one member of the committee should be faculty from a discipline other than nursing. The student and Chair should consult with the PhD Director if they feel an exception is warranted. The student and the Chair of the PhD Dissertation Committee select the membership of the PhD Dissertation Committee. If a proposed PhD Dissertation Committee member is outside the University of Iowa or is not a graduate faculty member at the University of Iowa (e.g., CON clinical track faculty or UIHC staff), the student must obtain the individual’s curriculum vitae and meet with the PhD Program Administrator to obtain approval from the Graduate College. This approval must be obtained prior to scheduling the proposal meeting.

The Dissertation Committee could be the same as the DRP and Oral Exam Committee, especially if a Non-CON Faculty Member is included on the DRP and Oral Exam Committee.

3. Developing a Proposal Document

The student will work closely with the PhD Dissertation Committee Chair to develop the proposal document. The format of this document varies with the two options. Both types of dissertation formats must conform to the Graduate College guidelines.

• Chapter 1 includes an introduction and establishes the importance of the topic; a brief review of background and problem to be addressed; and a clear purpose that includes specific aims, questions, or hypotheses. Conceptual and operational definitions are often specified.
• Chapter 2 includes the background, typically an in-depth literature review and synthesis that establishes what is known, identifies gaps i science to be addressed in the study, and the theoretical framework that guides the study, if appropriate.
• Chapter 3 describes the planned methods for the study, including design, sample, measures, intervention (if appropriate), procedures, data collection, and analysis.

Three-Paper Dissertation Format:

• Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction and establishes the importance of the topic. This focused review should provide a cohesive synthesis of the background and problem. In addition, the purpose and specific aims, questions, or hypotheses to be addressed in the proposed research should be described. It is appropriate for this chapter to be 10-15 pages in length for this format.
• Chapters 2, 3, and 4 each describe a planned paper, which may be subject to change depending on how the research unfolds. For the proposal document, an overview of each paper is provided for these three chapters. The overview of each paper should include purpose and scope of the paper, methodologies to be employed, and discussion of how the paper is integrated to represent a coherent body of research. For the data-based papers, a 1- to 2-page outline and summary similar to Figure 2 may be useful. Also included should be the student’s suggestions and rationale of journals to which each paper will be submitted for publication.

4. Conducting the PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting

The PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting, for both dissertation formats, includes the student and the PhD Dissertation Committee. It is held to approve the student’s proposed research project. It is generally completed within one semester of successful completion of the Oral Exam.

• Logistical Arrangements. It is the student’s responsibility to contact members of the committee and arrange the date, time, and location of the Proposal Meeting. The student will ensure that all members of the PhD Dissertation Committee receive the final written proposal at least two weeks prior to the scheduled proposal meeting.
• Conduct of PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting. The Committee meets privately before the defense begins to overview the process and focus of the defense. The student is then invited to join the committee to discuss the proposed research. Some PhD Dissertation Committees choose to have a brief (15-minute) presentation by the student on the background of the problem and proposed research. For the three-paper format, a discussion of the planned papers is required in the presentation. The Dissertation Committee Chair then leads a discussion of each section of the proposal document so that committee members may raise questions or concerns. The goal of the discussion is agreement among the committee members on what the student will do to complete their proposed dissertation research. It is recommended that the PhD Dissertation Committee Chair or designee (who should NOT be the student) take notes of the discussion and key points so the student is able to focus on the discussion.
• Expected Outcomes of the PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting. The expected outcome of the proposal meeting is an agreement among the PhD Dissertation Committee members and the student on the proposed dissertation research. If the PhD Dissertation Committee members do not agree on the proposed research, another PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting may be necessary. If the PhD Dissertation Committee members do agree on the proposed research, it is recommended that the Dissertation Chair should document this meeting. This memo should be sent to committee members and the student, and a copy should be forwarded to the PhD Program Administrator to be placed in the student’s file. The content of the memo should outline any substantive changes to the proposal document and be agreed on by each PhD Dissertation Committee member within two weeks of the proposal meeting. If agreement cannot be reached between the student and PhD Dissertation Chair or other committee members, then the Director of the PhD program should be consulted.

Link to the Dissertation Proposal Meeting Memo of Agreement

5. Completing the Research

Once the proposal is agreed on, the student must secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and then begin data collection. Students continue registering for dissertation hours or continuous enrollment hours until the dissertation is successfully defended. Note that the student can start registering for dissertation credits during the semester that the student has completed the comprehensive exam. The minimum number of dissertation credits is 11; there is no maximum. Completion of the dissertation involves implementing the data collection, data analysis, and interpretation as described in the proposal document as well as preparing the results and discussion sections. The three-paper format requires completion of preliminary final drafts of three manuscripts. The traditional format requires completion of Chapter 4: Results. Both format options include Chapter 5, “Discussion and Implications for Research, Education, Practice and Policy.” The time to complete the dissertation varies, and the deadline for completion is negotiated between the student and the PhD Dissertation Committee Chair.

6. Conducting the Dissertation Defense

The Dissertation Defense (also referred to as “Final Examination” by the Graduate College) is an oral presentation and defense of the dissertation. If a Chair has any reservations about the defense, they should discuss their concerns with the Director of the PhD Program as soon as possible and prior to the defense date.

The following are guidelines regarding the scheduling and arrangement of the dissertation defense:

After the Comprehensive Examination

The dissertation defense cannot be held until the semester after satisfactorily completing the comprehensive examination. The student must pass the final dissertation defense no later than five years after satisfactorily completing the comprehensive examination.

During the Academic Year

The dissertation defense should be scheduled during the academic year (i.e., between the beginning of regular registration for the fall semester and the close of examination week in the spring semester). Only in very unusual circumstances will the faculty consider requests for exceptions to this rule.

Administered On Campus Unless Circumstances Warrant Otherwise

The dissertation defense is expected to be administered on campus. However, circumstances may warrant that the dissertation defense be administered via Zoom.

Student Responsibilities – Arranging a PhD Dissertation Defense Meeting.

The student must:

• Contact members of the PhD Dissertation Committee to arrange the date and time the PhD Dissertation Defense.
• Notify the PhD Program Administrator when the PhD Dissertation Defense meeting date is determined who can help with securing a room (and/or zoom link if needed); this should be no later than five weeks prior to the defense date.

NOTE: The PhD Program Administrator will submit a formal request to the Graduate College. The request for the PhD Dissertation Defense must be submitted at least four weeks in advance of the date set for the defense to allow for public notice of the defense.

Student Responsibilities – Circulating the PhD Dissertation Document.

The student is responsible for providing a copy of the dissertation to the committee members at least two weeks in advance of the PhD Dissertation Defense meeting . The copy may be either hard copy or electronic, per the preference of the faculty members. See the format for each dissertation option described in section 7 below.

Attendees and Procedures

The PhD Dissertation Defense is open to the public; anyone is welcome. We strongly encourage College of Nursing faculty and graduate students to attend. Similar to the PhD Dissertation Proposal Meeting, the PhD Dissertation Committee meets in private prior to the defense meeting. The student and guests are then invited to join the committee for the student’s public presentation of their dissertation. This presentation should be no longer than 30 minutes, which also includes time for the candidate to take questions from the audience (non-dissertation committee members). After the public presentation, the Dissertation Committee Chair will inform the audience that the formal oral defense will begin and give the audience the option to remain or leave. During the formal oral defense, only the PhD Dissertation Committee is allowed to ask questions of the PhD candidate. The defense includes critical questions about the purpose, method, and results presented in the dissertation, and questioning on areas of knowledge consistent with the context of the dissertation. An oral defense of the dissertation evaluates the candidate’s ability to communicate the specific research project and the implications of the research.

Grading and Reporting of the PhD Dissertation Defense

At the completion of the defense, the student and guests are required to leave while the PhD Dissertation Committee discusses the defense. The PhD Dissertation Committee evaluate the Dissertation Defense, with each member indicating a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory rating. The overall report will be regarded as Unsatisfactory if there are two unsatisfactory ratings from two members. A brief written evaluation of the candidate’s performance is prepared by the PhD Dissertation Committee Chair and is placed in the student’s file. The PhD Dissertation Committee’s overall decision is conveyed to the student immediately following the Committee’s deliberations by the PhD Dissertation Committee Chair. The report of the defense, signed by all PhD Dissertation Committee members, is due in the Graduate College within 48 hours after the defense. Successful defenses are noted publicly by an announcement in the College of Nursing. In the case of an Unsatisfactory decision in the final defense, the candidate may not present herself/himself for reexamination until the next semester. The PhD Dissertation Defense may be repeated only once.

7. Formatting the Approved Final Dissertation

This format consists of five chapters, as outlined by the Graduate College.

• Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are the revised versions based on the feedback provided in the PhD Proposal Meeting, and they incorporate any changes required related to updates of the literature, changes in tense of the verbs, and changes related to implementation.
• Chapter 4 presents the results of the study.
• Chapter 5 is the discussion of the results and, as such, should synthesize the knowledge that has been gained by the study; link the results to previous literature; discuss the limitations of the study; provide future research directions; and discuss implications for education, practice, and/or policy, as appropriate.

This format integrates three publishable papers into the standard Graduate College five-chapter dissertation format.

• Chapter 1 provides the overview of the research as laid out in the proposal.
•   Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are the three papers, which may include an analytical review of the literature or a meta-analysis, a methodology paper, and a data-based paper or multiple data-based articles with the literature review integrated into each paper. At the discretion of the Dissertation Committee, one of the three papers may be a detailed discussion of the conceptual model for the dissertation research. The length of these three chapters, which are intended to be potentially publishable papers, to the extent possible, should conform to page-length constraints required by the specific scholarly journal(s) identified by the student and approved by the Dissertation Committee. Therefore, these three chapters may be expanded or supplemented by appendices, as necessary, particularly if there is additional data, analyses, or Tables that are not allowed due to journal restrictions.
• Chapter 5, the concluding chapter, should summarize and integrate the major findings. This concluding chapter should synthesize the knowledge that has been gained by the research as presented in the three papers; discuss the limitations of the body of research; and enumerate future research and implications for education, practice, and/or policy, as appropriate for the dissertation type.

8. Submitting the Final Document to the Graduate College

Regardless of format, the final written report of the dissertation must meet the standards defined by the Graduate College. Thus, for both the Traditional Dissertation format and the Three-Paper Dissertation format, pagination must be continuous, there must be a common table of contents, and one integrated bibliography must serve for the whole document.

9. Publishing Manuscripts Based on the Dissertation

Approved electronic dissertations are forwarded to ProQuest for digital archiving; the doctoral abstracts will be published in Dissertation Abstracts International. Once published, any other publications (e.g., manuscripts) cannot use sections of the dissertation in total without breaching copyright. Thus, students can opt to delay publication of the dissertation by the Graduate College for one to two years (referred to as a period of embargo), at or before the single thesis deposit deadline. This is an important step to allow time for publishing the papers in a three-paper dissertation. Students are encouraged to publish the dissertation within a year.

There must be no presumption that serving on a Dissertation Committee constitutes grounds for co-authorship of a student’s paper, even if the committee member provides significant feedback on a paper. Eventual authorship on papers should be negotiated between the student, their faculty advisor, and the Dissertation Committee members. Dissertation Committee members may be named as co-authors on submitted papers if they have made a substantial contribution to the paper consistent with academic standards and journal submission requirements. Journal requirements vary, but at a minimum, all authors must have contributed substantially to conception and design or analysis and interpretation of the data, contributed to drafting or revision of content, and approved the final version.

D. Figure 1: Flowchart and Comparison Table

Flow Chart and Comparison Table

E. Figure 2: Data-based Manuscript Planning Table

Data-based Manuscript Planning Table

F. Forms to Be Completed by the PhD Graduate Coordinator

Request for final examination (request for dissertation defense).

The PhD Program Administrator will submit this form to the Graduate College no later than 3 weeks prior to the defense. The PhD Program Administrator will need the following information from the student:

• Names of committee members
• Official thesis title
• Date and time of defense

The PhD Program Administrator will reserve a room once the date and time are provided.

REPORT OF FINAL EXAMINATION (Report of dissertation defense)

Within a week prior to the dissertation defense date, the PhD Program Administrator will deliver this form to the Dissertation Committee Chair. Within 24 hours after the defense, this form must be signed by all committee members and returned to the PhD Program Administrator by the Dissertation Committee Chair. The PhD Program Administrator will file the form with the Graduate College.

G. Statistical Support for Dissertation Work

The Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship (ONRS) has partnered with the College of Public Health Biostatistics Consulting Center, which employs a team of biostatistics PhD students who are available to consult with College of Nursing (CON) PhD students doing their dissertation work (not coursework). The amount of support provided by the CON is 10 hours per PhD student during their dissertation phase. If you choose to consult with one of the Biostatistics Consulting Center students, please note the process below:

• Submit a request for consultation.
• The Biostatistics Consulting Center will contact the ONRS to verify that you are a current CON PhD student; they will then assign you to one of their student consultants. If you need additional consultation after starting a project, they will make every attempt to match you with the person you worked with earlier.
• The Biostatistics Consulting Center will send an invoice to the ONRS to pay for the hours of assistance. If you continue to work with the student consultant after 10 hours, you will need to pay for those services.

Additional resources can be found in the document “Statistical Support at UI” by clicking on this link: Statistical Support at UI .

University of Iowa College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook Copyright © 2024 by University of Iowa College of Nursing. All Rights Reserved.

Share This Book

• Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
• Literature Faculty
• Faculty Leadership
• Graduate Students - PhD
• Graduate Students - MFA
• Graduate Program Leadership
• Office Hours
• PhD Students

Program Handbook

• Campus Resources
• Department Resources
• New Writing Series
• Alumni Publications
• Honors Program
• Language and Culture Programs
• Study Abroad
• Careers in Literature
• Awards & Writing Contests
• Prospective Students
• Course Offerings
• UCSD Course Catalog
• Schedule of Classes
• UCSD Course Websites
• Final Exam Schedule
• Alumni Lecture Series
• Arts & Humanities Events
• The James K. Binder Lectureship
• Electronic Mailing List
• The Robert C. Elliott Memorial Lecture
• Employment Opportunities
• New Publications
• UCSD News | Center
• Upcoming Events
• School of Arts and Humanities
• Arts & Humanities FAQ for Students
• Alumni Assocation
• American Studies Association
• Chinese Studies Program
• Program in Classical Studies
• Educational Studies
• German Studies
• Center for Hellenic Studies
• Italian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Jewish Studies
• Program in Transnational Korean Studies
• Linguistics Language Program
• Middle East Studies
• National Women's Studies Assocation
• Program for the Study of Religion
• Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
• Summer Session
• Visitor Guide to UCSD
• Department Relations Policy
• Faculty Resources
• Computer Services
• Dissertation Defense & Graduation

Updated February 2024

PhD students are required to present a dissertation defense in the form of a two-hour colloquium that, by order of the Graduate Council, is open to the public. The final recommendation for awarding of the PhD degree is to be decided by the student's Doctoral Committee in a private caucus at the end of the defense, and the final approval is confirmed by GEPA once all fillings and requirements have been met.

For instructions on formatting the dissertation and preparing the signature page, students should refer to the  Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Masters' Theses , available from GEPA: Dissertation & Thesis Manual (ucsd.edu) . GEPA holds workshops intended to help students file their dissertations electronically. Information regarding the workshops will be emailed to students.

For withdrawn students returning to defend or current students wanting to pay a filing fee in lieu of registering in the quarter of their defense, refer to the specific details and requirements in the "Occassional Circumstances" section below.

Process & Timeline

To be completed at least four weeks before the defense: .

• Complete & distribute the dissertation : Students should complete their dissertation and provide copies of the finished dissertation to the members of their Doctoral Committee (at least four weeks before the scheduled dissertation defense).
• Final Document Review : The student will confirm their final document review date, so the staff at GEPA can add them to their calendar. The final document review must be scheduled  at least 2 days after  the scheduled dissertation defense, and it must take place by the Friday of Finals Week of the graduating quarter. The student submits all required paperwork, as outlined at the Preliminary Appointment by the final document review date. The department will aim to send the "Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation" to GEPA by this date as well, but this will automatically happen once all committee members  and  the Director of Doctoral Studies or Department Chair signs the form via DocuSign. Final approval and acceptance of the thesis by the Dean of the GEPA (on behalf of the University Archivist and Graduate Council) represents the final step in the completion of all requirements for the PhD degree.  
• The Graduate Coordinator will reserve a room in the department for the defense (if it will be held in person) and post the mandatory announcement flyer on the website ( Dissertation Defenses & Qualifying Exams ).
• NOTE : Changes to the committee may be required because of updates to individual faculty statuses. The Doctoral Committee makeup may have met all the requirements at the time of the initial constitution, but may no longer meet the requirements later in the program. In these instances, the committee must be reconstituted, as the Doctoral Committee must meet all requirements for a valid committee at the time of the dissertation defense.

Reconstitutions are completely routine, and students may reconstitute their committee as many times as needed.

• Attend the preliminary appointment with GEPA : Students should ensure that they get all their questions answered and leave with a complete understanding of the documents that will need to be submitted/filed at or before the final document review scheduled with GEPA.  

To be completed at and immediately following the defense: 

• Dissertation Defense : The student will hold the dissertation defense with their Doctoral Committee. The Doctoral Committee will deliberate and sign the appropriate paperwork, if they approve of the dissertation.
• File the dissertation (electronically) : Students will file the PDF online, and the dissertation will meet all standards and requirements outlined in the “Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Masters’ Theses” (as mentioned above). Details of the electronic doctoral dissertation filing are also included in the “Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Masters’ Theses”.
• Students can access the SED survey at https://sed-ncses.org/.
• Students will be emailed a link to the UCSD survey after their preliminary appointment with GEPA.
• Final Document Review & Filing : Before the end of the quarter, the student will submit all required paperwork to GEPA.

Doctoral Committee Defense Participation/Format

For the Dissertation Defense, all members of the student’s Doctoral Committee must participate in accordance with campus policy. 

The preferred means to conduct the dissertation defense is when the student and all members of the committee are physically present in the same room. The Department of Literature has determined, however, that defenses may be conducted in one of three formats:

• In-person, with all members physically present;
• Hybrid, with no more than two members participating by live video teleconference, the others being in-person; or
• Remote, with all members participating via live video teleconference. It is expected that all committee members participating via video teleconference will do so synchronously. 

NOTE :  Regardless of format, in the event that a committee member is unable to attend the scheduled defense (excepting the chair or co-chairs, who must attend the scheduled defense), it is permissible for the member a), to prepare material in advance, submitting it to the committee chair or co-chairs for inclusion during the defense, or b), to examine the student on a separate date (prior to the sheduled defense). In either case, the committee member will still need to sign the DocuSign Final Report Form on the day of the scheduled defense. The paperwork routing will not move forward until all committee members have signed.

If an emergency arises resulting in more than one committee member being unable to attend the defense, the committee chair or co-chairs may use their discretion regarding how to proceed. There must be sufficient expertise among present members to examine the student.

The format of the defense (in-person, hybrid, or remote) will be determined by the student and committee chair(s) in conference with committee members. It is the student’s responsibility to work with their committee to schedule the defense and meet the above requirements. 

Dissertation Defense Paperwork

There are a number of documents that students will need to submit to GEPA for the final document review process, in order to complete the dissertation filing process and be awarded their PhD. Most of the documents will be entirely the student’s responsibility to create and submit, but one primary form will be created by the department and submitted to GEPA via DocuSign.

Student’s Responsibility:

• Electronically file the final dissertation
• “Dissertation/Thesis Release Form” (or “Embargo Form”), signed by the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs at the defense
• Completion certificate for the “Survey of Earned Doctorates”
• Final confirmation page for the “UCSD Survey of Doctoral Degree Recipients”
• Any other documents that GEPA mentions at the preliminary appointment

Department’s Responsibility:

• “Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation”, prepared by the department and signed by all Doctoral Committee members at the defense, attesting that the student has passed the defense and that the student has completed all requirements for the degree. Once the full committee has signed, the form is routed to the Director of Doctoral Studies or Department Chair for endorsement, and then on to GEPA for review and processing. The Final Report Form will be routed via DocuSign, and the student will receive a copy of the form (for reference) once it has been routed to GEPA.

Occasional Circumstances

Withdrawn students returning to defend.

Whether students proactively withdrew or the department automatically withdrew them based on the student going inactive (not enrolling) for a quarter without an approved leave, they may request to return to solely defend and file their dissertation once completed. Students should begin by contacting the Graduate Coordinator ( [email protected] ) to inform them of their intension. The Graduate Coordinator will review the students previous academic record to determine the additional steps that the student will need to complete (in addition to all the standard steps outlined in the "Process & Timeline" section above). For instance,

• If it has been move than five years since the student originally passed their qualifying exams and advanced to candidacy, they will need to re-advance to candidacy. The details of this process will be coordinated by the department and the student’s Doctoral Committee, and the actual tasks the student must complete will vary. Assuming the Doctoral Committee approves of the re-advancement, the department will route a DocuSign "Final Report of the Qualifying Exam and Advancement to Candidacy" to the committee on the date of the defense. It will be signed and processed along with the "Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation". Campus may assess an additional advancement fee, which will need to be paid by the student after the defense.
• If the student's Doctoral Committee is no longer valid, due to changes in faculty statuses or titles, the student will need to reconstitute their committee (see the "Process & Timeline" section above). If any new faculty are added to the committee, they may ask for additional time to review the dissertation prior to the defense.
• Even though the student won't be enrolling in courses in the quarter of their defense, they will stil need to have an active student status in order to defend and graduate. For withdrawn students whose dissertation defense is unanimously approved, this is accomplished by re-admitting the student (on paper) and then processing the degree conferral. The department will note this necessity on the standard "Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation". Campus will assess an additional re-admission fee, which will need to be paid by the student after the defense.
• The student will automatically also be paying the filing fee in lieu of registration. The department will note this necessity on the standard "Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation". Campus will assess the additional fee, which will need to be paid by the student after the defense.
• Note : Students can confirm the current cost of each of these fees with GEPA at their preliminary appointment.

Paying a Filing Fee in Lieu of Registration

If a student was actively enrolled full-time in the preceding quarter, they may opt to pay a filing fee in lieu of registering in the quarter of their defense. This can be beneficial for students who don't have financial support covering their tuition/fee costs for the quarter (as the filing fee is significantly less expensive than the full cost of tuition/fees). The student will still need to complete all standard steps (as outlined in the "Process & Timeline" section above). If a student wasn't actively enrolled in the preceding quarter, they will need to follow the full "Withdrawn Students Returning to Defend" process above, which will include additional steps and fees. For student who just need the filing fee in lieu of registration:

• When students submit their "Ph.D. Defense of Dissertation Schedule Request" (see the "Process & Timeline" section above), the department will check to confirm if the student is enrolled for the quarter. If not, the department will automatically initiate the filing fee in lieu of registration process.
• The department will note this necessity on the standard "Report of the Final Examination and Filing of the Dissertation". Campus will assess the additional fee, which will need to be paid by the student after the defense.
• Note : Students can confirm the current cost of the filing fee in lieu of registration with GEPA at their preliminary appointment.
• UCSD Graduate Overview
• Lit Dept & PhD Overview
• Financial Support
• Course Planning
• Program: Year 1
• Program: Year 2
• Program: Year 3
• Program: Years 4, 5, & 6
• Staying Past Year 6
• After the PhD

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• Faculty and Staff
• Make a Gift

Dissertation Timeline

Actual time to complete varies by discipline and departmental requirements.

Verify your committee has been approved by reviewing your unofficial transcript through Wolverine Access six months prior to Group Pre-Defense.

Review Rackham Format Guidelines in The Dissertation Handbook and the Dissertation Formatting Checklist . Visit the U-M Library’s Guide to Microsoft Word for Dissertations , for answers to questions about formatting your dissertations and to download templates.

If you have supplemental materials (such as data) that should also be made publicly available and associated with your dissertation, consider reaching out to [email protected] for help determining whether these should be deposited into one of the Deep Blue repositories.

Register for the required pre-defense review with Rackham at least three weeks before the Oral Defense.

Complete pre-defense review with Rackham at least 10 working days prior to the oral defense.

Distribute the dissertation and abstract to committee members at least 10 working days prior to the Oral Defense.

Apply for graduation for your doctoral degree through Wolverine Access .

Complete the required online Survey of Earned Doctorates .

View Wolverine Access three days prior to the oral defense to confirm that Dissertation Evaluations have been received from all committee members. Follow up with committee members as needed.

Print Oral Report form from web after receiving email that it is ready to print, and take to Oral Defense.

Oral Defense of Dissertation

Verify with Chair that they have submitted the Final Oral Examination Report to Rackham OARD.

Complete any changes, corrections, or revisions to your dissertation as required by your committee Chair or Co-Chair.

Verify that Chair or Co-Chair has submitted the Certificate of Dissertation Committee Approval through the Rackham online system.

Arrange for a post-defense submission with Rackham OARD, referencing the Doctoral Degree Deadlines .

Complete online submission of the final dissertation (PDF) and abstract (text). Note that revisions and re-submission may be required. Once Rackham OARD has approved the submission, no changes or corrections may be made to the dissertation. Follow up with any additional outstanding requirements. All requirements must be submitted and approved by Rackham no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline day.

Graduate Degree Completed

Graduate Degree Conferred

Contact Academic Records and Dissertations

0120 Rackham Building 915 East Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070 Phone: 734.763.0171 Fax: 734.936.3335

Academic Records and Dissertations is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on the following holidays: Thanksgiving (Thursday and the following Friday), Christmas through New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day.

LPL Grad Site

All About the Dissertation and the Defense

See the official LPL documents: PHD Requirements and PHD Procedures, the latest versions of which are posted on the  Documents for Current & Prospective Students  page.

UA forms are available on the Graduate Student Academic Services  page.

The Dissertation

You're finishing up your time here at LPL, and now it's time to write everything up. Maybe you're doing the "staple 3 papers together" route. Or perhaps you're writing one cohesive document. Either way, work with your dissertation advisor to figure out the best way to present what you have worked on as a graduate student to your committee and the public.

Before starting to write, you should consider whether or not you want to use Microsoft Word or LaTeX. Either system has its advantages and disadvantages, and there are templates in both formats, so in the end, you should use whatever software you have the most experience with and feel the most comfortable using. You should also be mindful of the  formatting requirements  for your dissertation that are published by the Graduate College.

If you want to use LaTeX, be aware that previous graduate students have maintained a LaTeX template that automatically does a lot of the work regarding these formatting requirements for you. That way, you can mostly just concentrate on writing. A copy of the running template from before Summer 2022 is available in the  UA Thesis 2022 (ZIP)  for archiving and for those who are still using this format. Sam Myers also reworked the entire template to follow the modern university guidelines including a new approval page and land acknowledgments. The newer UA Thesis (ZIP, updated Jan. 2024)  is fully commented and uses simpler LaTeX commands for ease of use. (If you have trouble, please ask the current *TeX grad rep for help!) A Microsoft Word template and example pages are available from UA on the Sample Pages page and Sam has also made a Word Thesis Template (ZIP) that mirrors the LaTeX template.

The LPL library has copies of dissertations from past students, and often times these are valuable resources in following some sort of precedent in how dissertations are organized, layout of chapters, figures, etc.

Dissertations & Theses : Grad college samples, manual, etc

Sample Pages : Sample pages and templates

Stupid little things they won't tell you until later and you'll wish you knew earlier (updated 5/12/2022):

• Roman numerals are not allowed as page numbers.
• Your name should match what is in GradPath
• The Author Statement is removed in the latest LaTeX template version
• The above is included in the latest LaTeX template version, just update the name of the pdf
• LaTeX template tip: pdfpages is great for importing co-author papers into appendices
• Check on copyright issues if you do add journal reprints.

The Timeline

• D-1 year:  Do you have a job/postdoc yet? You should be thinking about this a ~year before you defend! See  Advice and Tips for Getting a Job/Postdoc  and  Non-Academic Career Information .
• D-1 year  (or maybe already ongoing): Make a schedule for your path to defending. Here's a general example, modify it for your specific situation:  Dissertation Schedule (PDF)
• Talk to Amy, let her know your timeline, and make sure you've completed all the requirements before proceeding. Keep in touch with her about what bureaucratic steps are next, deadlines, forms, etc.
• Reserve room 309 on LARS for the date your committee agreed to.
• D-6 months:   Committee Appointment Form  should be filled out on  UAccess .
• Write the dissertation. Send out chapter drafts to your committee members. Keep them in the loop. Maybe they'll read it, maybe they'll skim it, maybe they can't get to it. Either way, it will only make your revisions easier.
• You may want to ask each committee member to acknowledge receipt of your dissertation. There's a good chance you won't hear back from them otherwise to confirm that you fulfilled this requirement.
• Send lots of reminders to your committee for the date, time, and place of your defense.
• D-7 business days:  The  "real deadline" : 7 business days before your defense date, the form entitled "Announcement of Final Oral Examination" is due to the Graduate College. You fill this out on  GradPath  and submit it online. Try to get this form submitted at least 2 weeks before your defense date.
• This is normally 30–45 min. long, plus time for questions. Check with your advisor in advance about the length, though — you don't want a last-minute misunderstanding about how long it's supposed to be (this actually happened...).
• Important Degree Dates and Deadlines from grad college.

The Defense

Grad college instructions:  Final Defense Instructions (PDF)

There are two parts to your defense:

• A public section which is open and advertised to the University community. This is a 30–45 minute presentation in which you outline the key aspects of your work.
• A closed section in which your dissertation committee grills you yet again. You will be expected to defend your research and to consider the impact of your work on other areas of planetary sciences.
• You need  two copies  and get everyone's original signatures on both at the end.

After the Defense

After your defense, relax and celebrate a job well done. Then get back to work:

• See the Grad college form  Doctoral Post-Defense Instructions (PDF)  on the  Graduate Student Academic Services  page.
• Revisions:  Make sure you implement whatever revisions your committee requests by the  deadline  imposed by the Graduate College in order to graduate that same semester.
• Turn in your dissertation electronically to the Graduate College.
• Print 2 paper copies to the LPL library for archiving.
• Make sure your advisor fills out the Results of Final Oral Defense Form.
• Email Amy to tell her the above has been done.

Thesis Defense

Phd thesis defense timeline.

This calendar is subject to change without notice.

PhD Dissertation Defense Slides Design: Start

• Tips for designing the slides
• Presentation checklist
• Example slides
• Additional Resources

Purpose of the Guide

This guide was created to help ph.d. students in engineering fields to design dissertation defense presentations. the guide provides 1) tips on how to effectively communicate research, and 2) full presentation examples from ph.d. graduates. the tips on designing effective slides are not restricted to dissertation defense presentations; they can be used in designing other types of presentations such as conference talks, qualification and proposal exams, and technical seminars., the tips and examples are used to help students to design effective presentation. the technical contents in all examples are subject to copyright, please do not replicate. , if you need help in designing your presentation, please contact julie chen ([email protected]) for individual consultation. .

• Example Slides Repository
• Defense slides examples Link to examples dissertation defense slides.

Useful Links

• CIT Thesis and dissertation standards
• Dissertations and Theses @ Carnegie Mellon This link opens in a new window Covers 1920-present. Full text of some dissertations may be available 1997-present. Citations and abstracts of dissertations and theses CMU graduate students have published through UMI Dissertation Publishing. In addition to citations and abstracts, the service provides free access to 24 page previews and the full text in PDF format, when available. In most cases, this will be works published in 1997 forward.
• Communicate your research data Data visualization is very important in communicating your data effectively. Check out these do's and don'ts for designing figures.

Power Point Template and other Resources

• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 1
• CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 2

Source: CEE Department Resources https://www.cmu.edu/cee/resources/index.html

• CMU Powerpoint Slide Template

Source: CMU Marketing and Communications

https://www.cmu.edu/marcom/brand-standards/downloads/index.html

• Use of CMU logos, marks, and Unitmarks

Email me for questions and schedule an appointment

Top 7 tips for your defense presentation

1. show why your study is important, remember, your audience is your committee members, researchers in other fields, and even the general public. you want to convince all of them why you deserve a ph.d. degree. you need to talk about why your study is important to the world. in the engineering field, you also need to talk about how your study is useful. try to discuss why current practice is problematic or not good enough, what needs to be solved, and what the potential benefits will be. , see how dr. posen and dr. malings explained the importance of their studies..

• Carl Malings Defense Slides with Notes
• I. Daniel Posen Defense Slides with Notes

2. Emphasize YOUR contribution 

Having a ph.d. means that you have made some novel contributions to the grand field. this is about you and your research. you need to keep emphasizing your contributions throughout your presentation. after talking about what needs to be solved, try to focus on emphasizing the novelty of your work. what problems can be solved using your research outcomes what breakthroughs have you made to the field why are your methods and outcomes outstanding you need to incorporate answers to these questions in your presentation. , be clear what your contributions are in the introduction section; separate what was done by others and what was done by you. , 3. connect your projects into a whole piece of work, you might have been doing multiple projects that are not strongly connected. to figure out how to connect them into a whole piece, use visualizations such as flow charts to convince your audience. the two slides below are two examples. in the first slide, which was presented in the introduction section, the presenter used a flow diagram to show the connection between the three projects. in the second slide, the presenter used key figures and a unique color for each project to show the connection..

• Xiaoju Chen Defense Slides with Notes

4. Tell a good story 

The committee members do not necessarily have the same background knowledge as you. plus, there could be researchers from other fields and even the general public in the room. you want to make sure all of your audience can understand as much as possible. focus on the big picture rather than technical details; make sure you use simple language to explain your methods and results. your committee has read your dissertation before your defense, but others have not. , dr. cook and dr. velibeyoglu did a good job explaining their research to everyone. the introduction sessions in their presentations are well designed for this purpose. .

• Laren M. Cook Defense Slides with Notes
• Irem Velibeyoglu Defense with Notes

5. Transition, transition, transition

Use transition slides to connect projects , it's a long presentation with different research projects. you want to use some sort of transition to remind your audience what you have been talking about and what is next. you may use a slide that is designed for this purpose throughout your presentation. , below are two examples. these slides were presented after the introduction section. the presenters used the same slides and highlighted the items for project one to indicate that they were moving on to the first project. throughout the presentation, they used these slides and highlighted different sections to indicate how these projects fit into the whole dissertation. .

You can also use some other indications on your slides, but remember not to make your slides too busy.  Below are two examples. In the first example, the presenter used chapter numbers to indicate what he was talking about. In the second example, the presenter used a progress bar with keywords for each chapter as the indicator. 

Use transition sentences to connect slides 

Remember transition sentences are also important; use them to summarize what you have said and tell your audience what they will expect next. if you keep forgetting the transition sentence, write a note on your presentation. you can either write down a full sentence of what you want to say or some keywords., 6. be brief, put details in backup slides , you won't have time to explain all of the details. if your defense presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes, you can only spend around 10 minutes for each project - that's shorter than a normal research conference presentation focus on the big picture and leave details behind. you can put the details in your backup slides, so you might find them useful when your committee (and other members of the audience) ask questions regarding these details., 7. show your presentation to your advisor and colleagues, make sure to ask your advisor(s) for their comments. they might have a different view on what should be emphasized and what should be elaborated. , you also want to practice at least once in front of your colleagues. they can be your lab mates, people who work in your research group, and/or your friends. they do not have to be experts in your field. ask them to give you some feedback - their comments can be extremely helpful to improve your presentation. , below are some other tips and resources to design your defense presentation. .

• Tips for designing your defense presentation

How important is your presentation, and cookies?

• Next: Tips for designing the slides >>
• Last Updated: Jan 9, 2024 11:18 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.cmu.edu/c.php?g=883178

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Indianapolis Indiana University Indianapolis IU Indianapolis

• Attendee Information
• Exhibitor Information
• Getting You Into IU Indianapolis
• Student Awards
• Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholars
• Commitment to Diversity
• IU Indianapolis Graduate Emissaries for Student Diversity
• Measures of Quality
• Doctoral - Research Student Data
• Accelerated Degrees
• Graduate Non-Degree Program
• Future Student FAQs
• About IU Indianapolis
• Visit IU Indianapolis
• How to Apply
• Tuition & Fees
• Indiana Partner Tuition Participating Programs
• Fellowships & Awards
• Travel Fellowships
• Student Loans
• Tax Information
• IU Graduate Bulletin
• Responsible Conduct and Ethics
• Timeline for Graduation
• IU Degree, Transcript, Diploma/Certificate
• IU Dissertation Defense Announcements
• Getting Oriented
• Events and Resources
• 3MT and 3MP Competitions
• Indianapolis Graduate Mentoring Center
• Graduate Commons
• Grad Parent Network
• CIRTL at IU Indianapolis
• Research Funding
• Campus Transportation
• Campus Safety
• Health & Wellness
• Health Insurance
• IU Indianapolis Dining Services
• Disability Services
• Virtual Resources for Current Students
• Virtual Resources for Prospective Students
• Fellowship Subcommittee
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Graduate or Professional Degree Program
• Graduate or Professional Degree Certificate
• Graduate or Professional Degree Sub Plans (tracks, transcripts)
• Propose Accelerated or Dual Degree
• Graduate or Professional Degree Minor
• Changes to Existing Degrees
• Add or Change Courses to Curriculum
• Academic Reviews
• Graduate Recruitment Council
• Graduate Faculty Council
• Membership to Graduate Faculty
• Mentor Graduate Students
• School of Science Realignment FAQ for Graduate Students

Indiana University Graduate School Indianapolis

• Purdue Graduate Students
• Theses & Dissertations

One of the last steps to obtaining your doctoral degree is to defend your  dissertation. Defense processes vary depending on whether your degree is conferred through IU or Purdue.

Purdue Defense Requirements

The details for defending a thesis or dissertation for a Purdue graduate program at IU Indianapolis can be found here, in the Purdue Graduate Student pages of our website.  Select information on Exams and the Deposit Process.

IU Defense Requirements

Schedule your defense.

Once your research committee has read a final draft of your dissertation and agrees that it is ready to be defended, provide each member of your committee with a full, unbound copy of the dissertation and arrange a mutually agreeable time and place for your defense.

You should allow at least four weeks between the time you give the committee members their copies and the date of the defense so that they will have sufficient time to read and critique your work. The four-week waiting period will also allow other faculty members who might be interested in your work to plan to attend your defense as well.

Announce Your Defense

Forty days prior to your scheduled defense, submit to the IU Graduate School Indianapolis via the PhD Defense Announcement Submission eDoc.

The announcement must include:

• The time and date of the defense.
• The location of the defense.
• Your educational career data (e.g., B.S., IU, 1986, etc.–the major area is not needed).
• A description, in layman's terms, of your thesis (300 words or less)

The eDoc will route to your department and the chairperson of your research committee for approval.

Once announced, the time and place cannot be changed without the approval of the dean of the IU Graduate School Indianapolis.

At Your Defense

Have your acceptance page and abstract available to be signed. The committee should not sign the acceptance page and abstract until their post-defense revisions are completed and approved..

In case your committee should insist on extensive revisions before giving its full approval, your dissertation chairperson will probably hold on to the acceptance page and abstract until you fulfill the committee’s recommendations.

Students are rarely required to go through a second oral examination.

If you know in advance that any member of your committee will be absent, you should, with the approval of the dean, arrange to have another faculty member sit on the committee. Occasionally an absent committee member can participate by telephone or video link.

Indiana University Graduate School Indianapolis resources and social media channels

• Give Now - support graduate students

Graduate School

Dissertation & Final Public Oral Examination

The dissertation and final public oral examination together serve as a culminating experience that showcases a doctoral candidate’s mastery of and emerging contributions to their field. Students are encouraged to visit the Advanced Degree Application page for a detailed outline of steps both prior to and following the FPO that culminate in the degree.

Dissertation Requirements

The dissertation must show that the candidate has technical mastery of their field and is capable of doing independent and original research. It must enlarge or modify current knowledge in a field or present a significant new interpretation of known materials.

A candidate must submit the dissertation for official action only after having sustained the general examination. 

If a student presents a doctoral dissertation more than five years after having passed the general examination, the department is not automatically obliged to receive the dissertation for consideration. In such cases, the department must vote formally as a faculty whether or not to receive it for review and examination.

There must be at least two principal readers of the dissertation. At least one of the principal readers of the dissertation must be from the student’s home department. Qualified principal readers are those who are authorized to supervise doctoral dissertations in the University (such as regular faculty at the rank of assistant professor or higher and certain others in senior research ranks). External readers must be of comparable standing in another university or in the research community. External readers must be approved by the Graduate School prior to dissertation submission. Each principal reader submits a written and signed dissertation reader report to the department. A copy of the dissertation to be defended must be available for interested readers in the department prior to the final public oral examination.

When the dissertation has been formally presented the department takes action on the positive recommendation of at least two principal readers to request that the dissertation advance to the final public oral (FPO) examination. The dean of the Graduate School or the deputy dean authorizes the department to hold the final public oral examination.

The Graduate School requires that all doctoral dissertations be written and submitted in English. Exceptions may be made only for language and literature departments, and only if the departments themselves wish to allow for such exceptions. Where an exception is made: 

• Another language or literature and culture in that language must be the subject of the dissertation; and 
• The department must first determine that there are compelling scholarly and/or professional reasons unique to the student or to that student's dissertation that should allow for submission in that language. 

In such cases, the department through the director of graduate studies may make a recommendation to the Graduate School that the dissertation be written and submitted in a language other than English. The decision of the dean in such cases is final. 

Dissertations written and submitted in a language other than English must include an extended summary in English (usually 15 to 20 pages in length), and the abstract must be in English.

Committee Language Proficiency

If a dissertation is approved to be submitted in a language other than English, all committee members reported to the Graduate School must have proficiency in that language sufficient to perform their committee roles in the same way that they would for a dissertation written in English. The final public oral (FPO) may be conducted in English or in the language of the dissertation, at the discretion of the department. 

FPO Examination Requirements

The final public oral examination is a final examination in the student’s field of study as well as a defense of the dissertation.

The department holds the final public oral examination after the Graduate School reviews and accepts the reader reports and is satisfied that all other requirements have been met. The department is required to post prominently the date, time, and place of the examination for a minimum of three days between the dean’s authorization and the date of the examination, in order to assure the open, public character of the oral examination.

There are at least three principal examiners , all of them normally members of the Princeton faculty at the rank of assistant professor or higher, at least two of whom have not been principal readers of the dissertation. At least one of the examiners must be from the student’s home department.

The student and the examiners should be present in person. In extraordinary circumstances, a department may request that the Graduate School approve the virtual, video-conferenced participation of an examiner, but in no case may there be fewer than two examiners who participate in person.

Final public oral examinations are to take place in-person. In cases where an appearance for the FPO would constitute a substantial hardship for the candidate due to extenuating reasons, the director of graduate studies, acting on behalf of the department and with the approval of the adviser(s) and all principal examiners, may recommend to the Graduate School the virtual, video-conferenced examination of the candidate, with the department continuing to uphold in all other respects the open, public nature of the examination. 

Acting on the advice of the examiners, the department determines whether or not the candidate has passed the examination. In case the examination is not sustained, the candidate may stand for it a second time after at least one year has passed. If unsuccessful a second time, the candidate is not permitted another opportunity to retake the examination, and Ph.D. candidacy is terminated.

Related documents

• Reader Report Form

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="dissertation defense timeline"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Understanding deadlines and requirements, major steps.

Understanding the steps and associated deadlines in the dissertation/thesis and degree conferral process is necessary to establish a successful plan and realistic timeframe. The major steps are:

• Complete draft dissertation
• Schedule exam
• Make revisions
• Submit final electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) to the Graduate School (final submission cannot be prior to your exam date)

Planning Timeline

The Code of Legislation requires students to submit a completed draft for committee review six weeks prior to scheduling the exam. Submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be within 60 days of completing the final exam.  You may not submit your thesis or dissertation prior to completing your M or B exam. Enrollment in future semesters after the date a student passes their M or B exam is not permitted, even if the 60 day submission window falls within a subsequent semester.

December 31, 2023 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in October
• Schedule Exam: First week in November
• Take Exam: Mid November
• Complete Revisions: End of November
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: December 1, 2023

May 26, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in March
• Schedule Exam: First week in April
• Take Exam: Mid April
• Complete Revisions: End of April
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: May 1, 2024

August 31, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in June
• Schedule Exam: First week in July
• Take Exam: Mid July
• Complete Revisions: End of July
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: August 1, 2024

December 31, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: December 1, 2024

Use this checklist to guide your process.

• Complete your research.
• Learn about thesis and dissertation formatting guidelines .
• Develop a detailed outline for your approach to writing your dissertation or thesis.
• Write the body of text for the dissertation or thesis.
• Complete your draft thesis/dissertation  six weeks prior to your final examination  and submit to all members of your Special Committee.
• Schedule your final exam  one week before your final examination date , and submit a final draft of your dissertation/thesis to each special committee member.
• Take your final exam (“B” exam), oral dissertation defense for Ph.D. candidates, or (“M” exam) an oral thesis defense for master’s candidates, six to eight weeks before conferral date .
• Make changes as specified by the special committee.
• Submit the final electronic version of dissertation or thesis (ETD) to Graduate School using ProQuest . See  Thesis and Dissertation Submission Process  for instructions.
• Attend  commencement  and celebrate!