Final Defense
Officially schedule your Final Defense meeting: the form must be emailed to the Graduate School
Reserve a conference room or classroom on campus where the public may view your presentation. While you may hold the defense virtually, you are required to provide a computer and a room where anyone can come to UT campus and see the defense.
To reserve a room, contact CAEE Administration caee-admin@utexas.edu.Students must submit the Request for Final Oral Defense to the Graduate School via email at least 2 weeks in advance of the defense.
You will also submit your dissertation title page as a PDF with the form.
Please note Docusign is not routed to the Graduate School, and you will need to upload the form.
Graduate Student Form Submission
Access the form system
Target deadline for scheduling the dissertation defense: November 11, 2025.
Last day to hold a dissertation defense: November 21, 2025
Final defense Oral Examinations
Upcoming Final defense meetings at UT Austin.Registration requirement:
You must be registered for Dissertation (X99W) every fall and spring semester from the time you are admitted to Candidacy until graduation. At least six (6) hours of CE X99W Dissertation are required to apply for graduation (these can be taken during a single semester). If you leave the campus without completing the requirements (incomplete courses or dissertation), continuous registration must still be maintained.
The Defense of the Dissertation is the final exam of the PhD program. It is your obligation to submit an acceptable dissertation to the Graduate School. Therefore, every effort should be made to complete the dissertation and pass the Defense of the Dissertation exam before you leave The University of Texas at Austin for employment. You must notify the Graduate School officially of your defense using the Request for Final Examination form. Additional details are available at: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/theses-and-dissertations/doctoral-candidacy/oral-examinations
Each member of your committee must receive a draft copy of your dissertation at least four weeks prior to your dissertation defense date. A defense cannot be held within two weeks of the last class day of the semester.
You must schedule the dissertation defense with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the defense date by completing
Officially schedule your Final Defense meeting: the form must be emailed to the Graduate School
Reserve a conference room or classroom on campus where the public may view your presentation. While you may hold the defense virtually, you are required to provide a computer and a room where anyone can come to UT campus and see the defense.
To reserve a room, contact CAEE Administration caee-admin@utexas.edu.Students must submit the Request for Final Oral Defense to the Graduate School via email at least 2 weeks in advance of the defense.
You will also submit the draft copy of your dissertation title page.
Please note Docusign is not routed to the Graduate School, and you will need to upload the form.
Graduate Student Form Submission
Access the form system portal
All of the following materials should be submitted to the Graduate School via the Graduate Student Form Submission:
Request for Final Oral Examination
Change in Committee Request
Report of Dissertation Committee (Ph.D.)
Co-Author Permission
Request for Delay of Publication
Target deadline for scheduling the dissertation defense: November 11, 2025.
Last day to hold a dissertation defense: November 21, 2025
Final defense Oral Examinations
Upcoming Final defense meetings at UT Austin.