General Information

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Overview

Successfully defending your dissertation - also called the Final Oral Examination ) - is required a requirement for the approval of your dissertation. The nature and extent of the examination is described in chapter three of the Graduate Catalog. Prior to the examination, you may want to consult with your supervising faculty regarding the format of the examination.

Be sure to review the Graduate School's information about Final Orals. 

Working with your Dissertation Supervisor

You should work closely with your dissertation supervisor throughout the dissertation process. You and your supervisor will work together to determine when you are ready to schedule the final oral defense meeting - revisions suggested by the supervisor reduce the probability of serious and substantive issues being raised by your committee members during the final oral defense meeting.

Discuss with your supervisor expectations for your conduct at the final oral defense meeting. In general, students Ph.D. (UT Graduate Catalog). Before your defense, you should talk with your supervisor to clarify expectations, including how the meeting will be structured. We also recommend reviewing the Graduate School's Final Oral guidelines early in the process.

During the defense, students typically give a brief (10-15 min.minute) summary overview of their the dissertation , including hypotheses and key - summarizing key hypotheses, methods, and findings. Visuals and/ or handouts may be used, but these are not considered necessaryare optional. Keep your opening statement brief, because the purpose presentation concise; the majority of the final oral defense meeting is for the committee members to ask you questions and to provide you with their views of your work.

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dedicated to questions and discussion with your committee. 

Working with your Supervisor

Throughout the dissertation process, your dissertation supervisor will be your main point of contact. Together, you'll decide when you are ready to schedule your defense. Your supervisor's feedback helps ensure your work is in strong shape before it goes to the rest of your committee. 

Review your Program of Work

During the semester that you will be holding your Final Oral, be sure to update Before your defense, your Program of Work / Degree Plan document. You will email the GSC Chair to inform them that you have done so, so that they have adequate time to conduct a final Program of Work check. This step is necessary for the GSC Chair to certify you have completed degree requirements after your final oralmust be reviewed and approved. At the start of the semester you're defending, be sure to review your Program of Work online and let the EDP Graduate Coordinator know if you see any issues. 

Scheduling your Final Oral

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