The dissertation defense is the final step in completing the Ph.D. in History. Students must demonstrate the ability to conduct original historical research, make a significant contribution to the field, and communicate their findings clearly and effectively. The dissertation must be approved by the advisory committee and submitted to the Graduate School according to its established procedures and deadlines. Preparation and Timeline To ensure sufficient time for feedback and revision, students must follow these procedures and deadlines: Submission to Major Professor:The student must submit a full draft of the dissertation to their major professor at least six weeks before they plan to circulate it to the full committee. The major professor can require the dissertation in advance of this deadline. The major professor will review the draft and may request revisions. Professors should give feedback within two weeks. Students should allow time for multiple rounds of feedback and editing. Submission to Advisory Committee:Once the major professor approves the revised draft, the student may circulate the dissertation to the full advisory committee. The committee must receive the final version of the dissertation at least four weeks before the scheduled defense. Any committee member may require further revisions before the defense proceeds. Students should stay in regular communication with committee members and leave ample time to accommodate revision requests. Approval to Proceed to Defense:Once the dissertation is deemed satisfactory by the full committee, all committee members must sign a form indicating their approval to proceed to the oral defense. This signed form must be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator. Scheduling the Defense The student must inform the Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Administrator of the proposed defense date at least three weeks in advance. The Graduate School requires official notification at least two weeks in advance, which will trigger a public announcement of the defense. The Graduate Program Administrator will submit the notification form in GradStatus. Students are strongly advised to consult the Graduate School’s Important Dates & Deadlines well in advance of the intended graduation semester. Conduct of the Oral Defense The defense is scheduled during the student’s final semester and must be held while the student is enrolled in HIST 9300 (Doctoral Dissertation) for a minimum of three credit hours. The oral defense normally lasts no more than two hours and will focus on the dissertation and its broader historiographical context. The major professor chairs the examination and must attend in person. The student must also be physically present. Other committee members may attend remotely as long as they follow current Graduate School guidelines for virtual participation. The defense will consist of a public presentation followed by a private defense during which only the student and advisory committee will be in attendance. Evaluation and Outcome The advisory committee must approve both the dissertation and the oral defense with no more than one dissenting vote. The major professor must vote in the affirmative. Abstentions are not permitted. The committee may: Approve the dissertation as submitted; Approve it pending minor revisions; Approve it pending major revisions (to be reviewed before final submission); Or reject it outright. The Result of Final Defense form must be submitted in GradStatus to the Graduate School no later than two weeks before graduation. This is done by the Graduate Program Administrator. Submission to the Graduate School After passing the oral defense, the student must submit the dissertation to the Graduate School according to the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) submission process. Initial format check:The student must submit a complete formatted draft of the dissertation electronically to the Graduate School no later than four weeks before graduation for a required format review. Please check the Grad School’s Important Dates and Deadlines to comply with this requirement. Final submission:The corrected final version, along with the final defense approval form, must be submitted electronically no later than two weeks prior to graduation, and in accordance with the Graduate School’s deadline. This is done by the Graduate Program Administrator. Time Limits Students must defend and submit their dissertation within eight years of matriculation. If the dissertation is not submitted by the Graduate School deadline for the intended graduation semester, the defense must be repeated in a later semester, and the committee must re-approve the revised dissertation.
