The Dissertation Defense
Overview
The dissertation defense demonstrates the candidate’s intellectual command of the dissertation topic and its larger significance to their major field. It offers a formal opportunity for the candidate to present their research to the Department and to respond to questions and critiques from their committee. The dissertation defense is generally a celebratory event, but it also provides valuable experience giving a formal presentation, answering questions, and being challenged about one’s work. This experience prepares candidates for conference presentations, job interviews, and other high-stakes conversations.
Scheduling the Dissertation Defense
1. In consultation with the dissertation advisor and other committee members, the student chooses a date and time for the defense.
2. At least 30 days prior to the defense date, the student emails the following information to the Graduate Coordinator:
- The dissertation title.
- The name of the dissertation advisor/committee chair.
- The names of the committee members and their contact information, if there is a fourth member who is not in the Department of History and Art History.
- The date and time of the defense.
- The dissertation abstract.
The Graduate Coordinator submits this information to the CHSS Graduate Academic Affairs at least 21 days before the defense date. This information is used to create an official defense announcement for distribution throughout the College and triggers inclusion in the University Commencement program.
The graduate coordinator schedules a room within the Department office suite for the defense and provides a calendar invitation to the student and committee members to document the reservation.
The Dissertation Defense
Defense Format
Dissertation defenses are conducted in person on the Fairfax Campus, although a Zoom connection can be arranged to make the event hybrid for the audience. Only in extraordinary circumstances may a defense be conducted remotely (ex: active-duty military personnel stationed overseas and unable to get leave for the defense). Exceptions to the in-person policy are at the discretion of the dissertation advisor and the Ph.D. Director.
Defense Specifics
The defense lasts about two hours.
It begins with the candidate's formal presentation, about 20 minutes, usually with slides.
The remaining time is dedicated to a Q&A with the committee, usually conducted in "rounds," whereby each committee member is given a certain amount of time to ask their questions.
Dissertation defenses are open to the public. All doctoral students are encouraged to attend multiple defenses prior to their own to get comfortable with the process.
Committee Approval
If all committee members agree that the student has defended the dissertation successfully, they will sign the cover page (also called the dissertation title page). However, committee members are also entitled to request additional revisions after the dissertation defense.
If one or more committee members refuses to approve the dissertation, the student or any member of the committee may petition the dean for a review. AP.6.10.8 Doctoral Defense provides additional details.
Students will bring a completed dissertation signature sheet to the defense to collect faculty signatures. Students are responsible for collecting all faculty signatures, including that of the Ph.D. Director. Students should not leave important forms with faculty or staff members to be circulated and submitted on the student's behalf. Please be advised that Adobe's Digital ID signature is not recommended for use on GMU's academic forms because it may cause a file to become locked and inaccessible.
All signatures must be rendered in black ink.
See “The Dissertation” for information on submitting the dissertation to the University by way of UDTS.