Guidelines for the Dissertation Defense Process:

DEFENSE OF THE DISSERTATION

The candidate must present a dissertation showing the planning, conduct, and results of original research and scholarship. Material previously published by the candidate may be incorporated in the dissertation. The graduate catalog has a full description of the principles that underlie the dissertation. Instructions regarding the proper form of the dissertation, besides those in this document, may be obtained from The Graduate School. Candidates and faculty members are reminded that the dissertation is to be a coherent, logically organized, scholarly document.

Completion of the dissertation normally is the final phase of a doctoral program, concluded by the final oral examination or defense of the dissertation. Therefore, approval of the dissertation by the dissertation advisory committee is followed promptly by the final oral examination and submission of the signed dissertation. The Ph.D. in Public Policy adheres to the guidelines published by the Graduate School for formatting of dissertations, and publication of the abstract. Students are responsible for complying with these guidelines.

Final Oral Examination. When the student and the members of the dissertation advisory committee believe that the dissertation is in final form (i.e., ready for defense) and all other degree requirements have been satisfied, the chair of the dissertation committee asks the Director to schedule a final oral examination. The Public Policy Program Director should then take any steps required to assure the appointment of a Committee for the Final Oral Examination.

The oral examination must be scheduled at least three weeks prior to the date of the examination. The Graduate School requires that the announcement of the final oral examination be published in University news media. Interested members of the University community are encouraged to attend.