Defend and submit the thesis.

As soon as all degree requirements have been satisfied, including completion of the doctoral dissertation, the doctoral candidate may request a doctoral defense. 

• Begin early in the semester to meet all deadlines. Please check the Registrar’s Office for Graduation Timelines for important dates.
• Apply to graduate here: https://registrar.gmu.edu/students/graduation/process/

• Schedule a format review with University Dissertation & Thesis Services (UDTS) prior to the defense. Please check the UDTS webpage for important formatting guidelines and the deadlines for graduation eligibility.

To successfully complete the defense and submission of your doctoral dissertation, please follow the steps outlined below:

• Pre-defense:  Prior to the final public defense, the candidate must hold a pre-defense meeting with the dissertation committee. Only the candidate and committee members are required to attend. The written dissertation must be provided to the committee at least two weeks prior to the pre-defense and at least four weeks prior to the scheduled defense date. 

• Submit the Approval to Defend Form: Following a successful pre-defense, the candidate must submit the Approval to Defend Form (DocuSign Version, initiated by the candidate). This form must be signed by all committee members and the Graduate Program Director.

• Arrange the Defense: Once the committee approves the thesis for defense, the candidate should coordinate the date and notify the department admin office at least three weeks in advance to prepare the advertisement and reserve a room. The defense must be advertised at least two weeks in advance. The admin office will publish the advertisement once the candidate provides this template. Please include the following information on the template:

  • Full name as you would like to appear (adding a middle initial, for example)

  • Name of all degrees, university and year of graduation

  • Title of dissertation

  • Abstract

  • List of Dissertation Committee Members (dissertation director, co-director if applicable, other committee members)

• Defense Process: The final defense consists of a 45-minute presentation by the candidate, followed by an oral examination conducted by the dissertation committee, and both are open to the public.

• Post Defense: The following signed and completed documents must be submitted to the Department of Statistics for inclusion in the student's PhD file:

  • Signature Sheet (signed by all committee members and Department Chair)

  • Final dissertation

  • Transmittal Sheet

  • Embargo Request Form

• University Thesis Requirements: After a successful defense, the candidate should ensure the thesis meets university guidelines (submission info) and submit it by the university’s deadline. Plan the defense date early enough to allow time for any required revisions before the submission deadline. Detailed guidelines for the content and general format of doctoral dissertations are available in the Thesis, Dissertation, or Project Guide. 

• Final Defense Checklist: Be sure to review the Final Defense Checklist to ensure all requirements are completed.

More information and references:

• University Catalog, AP.6 Graduate Policies
• AP.6.10.7 Doctoral Dissertation
• AP.6.10.8 Doctoral Defense
• AP.6.10.9 Dissertation Submission and Embargo
• College of Engineering and Computing Graduate Student Handbook
• University Dissertation & Thesis Services (UDTS)