The Graduate College requires a final oral examination (also called a defense) for all master’s and doctoral students who are completing a thesis or dissertation as a culminating activity. This is your opportunity to share your research with the committee and the university community, answer questions about your work, and demonstrate your readiness to earn the degree. It is both a celebration of your accomplishments and a formal academic evaluation.
This checklist is designed to be a helpful guide as you prepare for your defense. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for a complete reference of regulations pertaining to the defense.
1. Coordinate with Your Committee
- Confirm that your full supervisory committee is in place and approved by the Graduate College via an Appointment of Supervisory Committee form.
- Work with your chair and committee (including your Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR) for doctoral students) to select a date and time that works for everyone. Schedule your defense as soon as reasonable to ensure you are able to provide your committee enough time to review your work and to ensure you will be able to meet all deadlines from your department and the Graduate College.
- If you will be conducting your defense remotely or need to provide a remote link for one or more participants, your committee chair or program coordinator can set up a Zoom meeting for you and provide you with a link.
2. Submit the Graduate Defense Notification
- Deadline: Submit the Graduate Defense Notification at least two weeks before your defense date.
- Purpose: This form formally announces your public presentation and ensures that the Graduate College and university community are informed. It also triggers communication of additional information with you and your committee.
3. Distribute Your Thesis or Dissertation
- You are responsible for providing the full thesis or dissertation to all voting committee members at least two weeks before the defense (if you have a GFR, they do not receive a copy). Please consult with your department for exact requirements regarding the time needed for review by the committee and advisor prior to the defense date.
Ensure your thesis or dissertation meets Graduate College formatting standards.
4. Prepare your Defense Committee Approval form
- Prepare your Defense Committee Approval form by filling in the student information and the title of your thesis or dissertation. You will bring this completed form with you to your defense. If your defense is being conducted remotely, the completed version of this form can be shared electronically with your committee.
Explore the Defense Procedures page for a helpful guide of what to expect at your defense.
Additional Resources
- Appointment of Supervisory Committee Form
- Graduate Defense Notification Form
- Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guidelines
- Graduate Student Success Center
For personalized assistance or further questions, please contact the Graduate Student Success Center at (208) 426-GSSC (4772) or success@boisestate.edu.