The final oral examination is a defense of the dissertation and is open to the public. The student must be enrolled for at least two hours of dissertation research (6980) in the semester of the defense. Any changes in the doctoral committee must be approved by the Graduate Dean. The Graduate Dean may exercise a prerogative and appoint an observer for the Graduate College who would not be a voting member.
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 doctoral 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 dissertation with all major revisions complete. Additional minor revisions may be required after the defense.
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Defense Announcement. A template for the Dissertation Defense Announcement is available on the Graduate College Website.
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. The Graduate College will distribute the doctoral defense announcement via e-mail and a website accessible to members of the University.
In-Person Defense
The defense must be scheduled for a time when the student, the mentor/committee chair, and the majority of the dissertation committee can be physically present at the same location for the defense. A PhD defense also requires an in-person public audience.
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 dissertation defense must be reported to the Graduate College within 72 hours. A unanimous report from the doctoral committee is expected; however, on occasion some dissenting reports are received. If one member dissents, the dissent is recognized as a minority report. If two members of the doctoral committee dissent, a minority report must be filed and the Graduate Dean will investigate and make the final decision. If more than two members vote unsatisfactory, the defense is judged to be a failure.
Only one attempt is granted in defending the dissertation. If the defense is determined to be unsatisfactory (failure), the decision is final and the defense cannot be repeated. Furthermore, the student will be dropped from the rolls of the Graduate College and candidacy for the doctoral degree will terminate.
Nothing herein shall prohibit such a student from reapplying for admission to the Graduate College and pursuing a doctoral degree in another major field so long as the student satisfies all necessary degree requirements under the rules and regulations of the admitting department, Graduate College and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.
