Dissertation Defenses Overview

The Dissertation Defense is one of the most important moments in a graduate student’s career. The Defense aims to accomplish two goals. First, it provides an occasion for the presentation and recognition of completed doctoral work. Second, it furnishes the opportunity for discussion and formal evaluation of the dissertation.

Scheduling

Submit a dissertation draft to your committee members, with the intent that they will be able to skim it and say “yes/no we can schedule the defense date.” Once given the approval to schedule, work with your committee or their FSS to find a 2 hour time block. Please review key dates and deadlines when scheduling. 

Once you have confirmed scheduling, please send Joel the following details:

  • Dissertation title

  • Defense date and time

  • How you would like your name to appear on the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate (DAC)

  • List of committee members, noting who is the chair or co-chairs 

  • Email addresses of committee members

  • If you have non-HBS committee members, guest parking can be arranged

Guidelines

  • It is expected that the defending student and committee will attend in person.

  • The student must submit the dissertation to their committee at least two weeks before the defense date. OB students should send a copy of their dissertation to their committee by February 13th.

  • The Doctoral Programs office will provide the hybrid classroom at HBS and Zoom link for any virtual attendees if approved (i.e. family and friends). If the defense is open to guests, it will be the student’s responsibility to share the link/room location with their guests. The defending student should ask the committee if guests can attend.

  • The Doctoral Programs Office will send the committee members a calendar invitation with classroom location, Zoom details, and dissertation guidelines.

  • A member from the Doctoral Programs Office will host the Zoom meeting and will be in attendance in the classroom to serve as a resource throughout the defense.

  • Defenses should not be recorded.

  • The Doctoral Programs office will bring your Dissertation Acceptance Certificate (DAC) to the defense for signatures from your committee.

  • Send a copy of your completed dissertation to the Doctoral Programs office by May 15.