After the submission of the dissertation and the completion of all other prescribed work for the degree, but in no case earlier than six months before the conferring of the degree, the candidate will be given a final oral examination by the supervisory committee meeting on campus.  All supervisory committee members must be present with the candidate at the oral examination. The candidate and the entire supervisory committee must be present at the defense.  The defenses should be no more than six months before degree award.

All forms should be signed at the defense: the candidate and the supervisory committee chair sign the ETD Rights and Permission form; and the entire supervisory committee should sign the ETD Signature Page and the Final Examination Report.  The Final Exam Form should be submitted electronically through GIMS as soon as the dissertation has been successfully defended.  The form should not be held by the Graduate Secretary nor the Committee Chair until revisions to the dissertation are made.  The Committee Chair may hold the ETD Signature Page until revisions are made and all stipulations are met.

Satisfactory performance on this examination, completion of requested revisions, and adherence to all Graduate School regulations complete the degree requirements for the doctoral degree.