When the Thesis Advisor, Thesis Committee, and the student decide that the research has been satisfactorily completed, the student will prepare a dissertation thesis in accordance with Graduate School regulations (see A Guide to Preparing Your Doctoral Dissertation). (Note: This webpage is long, you must scroll down to see all info including deadlines.) Dissertations must acknowledge contributions received from other individuals, including co-authors of published work that appears in the dissertation. Examples of the types of contributions that should be acknowledged in the document include those who helped design the research, execute the research, analyze the data, and/or writing, proofing, or copy editing the manuscript. This is in accordance with UW Graduate School Policy UW-1248.
If the PhD Thesis Defense is not completed within five years of obtaining dissertator status, the student must re-take the Preliminary Exam, or ask for an extension from the Graduate School and notify the DGS of this request). If changes in the Thesis Committee are made after a warrant has been requested from the Graduate School, then a revised form must be signed and submitted to the Graduate School for approval.
I. Requirements
At Least 6 Weeks Prior to Defense Date:
- Schedule the defense with your committee and obtain a room for your defense.
At least 4 weeks prior to Defense date:
- Submit a warrant request. You must have your dissertation title ready to request a warrant.
At least 2 weeks prior to Defense date:
- Submit a copy of your Thesis to all members of your Thesis Committee.
- A Thesis Committee member has the right to remove themself from your Thesis Committee if you do not follow this step.
- Email Debra King (debra.king@wisc.edu) and Sally Griffith-Oh (sally.griffithoh@wisc.edu) a notice or flier about your final PhD Defense that minimally includes the Thesis Title, Abstract, Author, Date/Time, and Location. You may wish to include in this notice or flier graphics such as photos, a graphic abstract, or other images that celebrate you and/or your work.
At the PhD Defense:
- The PhD Defense is comprised of two components: an open and closed session
- The open session consists of a formal public seminar (approximately 45-50 min) followed by a short public question and answer period
- The closed session immediately follows the open session and consists of an examination period wherein only the examinee and Thesis Committee are present
Following the PhD Defense:
- Follow the steps outlined at https://grad.wisc.edu/current-students/doctoral-guide/
- Final grade reports must be completed for all courses in progress when you complete the PhD and deposit the dissertation at a time that is not at the conclusion of a semester. In this instance, see the GPC for the appropriate forms.
- Following your successful PhD defense, you must email the Graduate Program Manager, Derek Zimmerman, to initiate process of collecting electronic signatures on the Grad School Warrant.
II. Material Submissions
- Please upload to the Box folder we have created for you a current CV or resume with complete publication citations.
- If your advisor requires it, please provide them a bound copy of the Final Thesis.
- If your post-graduation employment plans or contact information has changed since filling out your warrant request, please let the GPC know.
III. Degree Completion Letter
Official degree conferral only occurs at the end of each semester. If needed, once all degree requirements are completed, you may request a degree completion letter by following the process outlined at https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/certification-of-graduation/
If you need a letter confirming your planned timeline for completing the dissertation defense and/or dissertation deposit please reach out to the graduate program manager.