What is Needed
Topic 3: Preparing for Defense

  • Have permission from chair to proceed with your final defense
  • Contact your academic advisor in your program office to ensure you pick and have the appropriate forms completed
  • Enroll in the appropriate course as required
  • Secure defense date with your committee and secure a room and any technology equipment through the program office
  • Submit your best draft of Chapters 1 thru 5 and your abstract to your committee at least 10 working days in advance of your established defense date
  • Prepare your PowerPoint and any handouts (i.e. protocols, research questions, and abstract)
  • Bring a copy of your chapters with any written notes or flagged pages for easy reference
  • Schedule a review of your PowerPoint with the DSC and a mock defense
  • Consider and schedule any required professional editing and formatting services
  • The binding fee of $115 will be assessed to your account following the dissertation upload
  • Verify Graduate School filing dates and procedures
Below is a document that provides the administrative guidelines for what needs to be done before, during and after your defense.


Dissertation Defense and Upload Guidelines (.doc)


The video below provides information regarding the preparation for your final defense.