The thesis defense is the final examination for an MS with thesis. The defense may be oral, written, or a combination of oral and written. It may be restricted to the defense of the thesis and/or cover the coursework required for the degree.
Defense Request
At least 10 business days before the defense, the candidate must submit the following to the Graduate College:
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Completed Defense Request Form. The master's candidate will receive this form via e-mail after they file the Report of Reading Copy Submission.
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Approved Reading Copy. The Approved Reading Copy is a complete draft of the thesis with all major revisions complete. Additional minor revisions may be required after the defense.
Authority for the Defense
The defense must be authorized by the Graduate College. The Graduate College will review the submission and send the Authority for the Defense via e-mail to the student, mentor, and Graduate Program Director in advance of the defense.
In Person Defense
For programs that require an oral defense of the thesis, the defense must be scheduled for a time when the student and the mentor/committee chair can be physically present at the same location for the defense. It is recommended that all committee members participate in person. The defense should be scheduled far enough in advance to accommodate regular scheduling challenges. However, if a committee member must participate remotely, an exception must be requested from the Graduate College no later than the time the defense request is submitted. If remote participation becomes necessary due to an extenuating circumstance, the Graduate College must be notified promptly. The integrity and significance of the oral examination process must not be compromised by the absence of a sound committee.
Results of the Defense
All members of the committee must sign the Authority for the Defense form and signify whether the examination was satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Either traditional or electronic signatures will be accepted on the Authority for the Defense form. If traditional signatures are used, the original hard copy must be submitted to the Graduate College.
The results of the thesis defense must be reported to the Graduate College within 72 hours. A unanimous report from the thesis committee is expected; however, dissenting votes may be cast. If one member dissents, a minority report must be filed with the Graduate Dean. If the committee consists of three members, of whom two dissent, the performance is graded as unsatisfactory. If the committee consists of more than three members and two dissent, a minority report must be filed and the Graduate Dean will investigate. The Dean's decision will be final. If more than two members cast an unsatisfactory vote, the defense is to be graded unsatisfactory.
Only one attempt is granted in defending the thesis. If the defense is graded unsatisfactory, this decision is final and the defense cannot be repeated. Courses taken prior to failing the thesis defense can count for no more than 25% of the credit hours required for a master's degree at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. These courses must be applied to an academic program other than the one in which the student failed the defense. The student must gain admission to a different program and have the permission from that department and the Dean of the Graduate College to include any courses used for the previous graduate program.
