Department of Anthropology
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Final Oral Examination
The final oral examination is a defense of the dissertation and is taken at least two semesters after successful completion of the preliminary examination. This examination is primarily concerned with the dissertation, but the examining committee may question the student about any aspect of the field it chooses. The committee may also ask that written answers to questions be prepared. The major professor requests appointment of the examining committee by completing Graduate School Form 8 “Request for Appointment of Examining Committee” at least two weeks prior to the examination. Typically, the student’s advisory committee serves as the examining committee for the final oral examination. The examination will be publicly announced and open to all faculty and others who wish to attend.
Students who wish to complete the PhD degree requirements during a summer session should note the following: At least two weeks before the last day of spring semester classes, each member of the advisory committee must be asked about availability during the summer to read the project or dissertation and to attend the final oral examination. If any member of the advisory committee will not be available, a replacement must be appointed before the last Friday of spring semester classes. The final examination must be held on or before the last day of summer session classes. No final oral exam may be held during the period between the last day of summer classes and the first day of fall semester classes. Thus, because of the scheduling involved, the complete draft must be received by the advisory committee no later than five weeks before the last day of summer session classes in order to guarantee completion of the degree requirements and receive the degree in August.
Students often underestimate the amount of time required to complete the final examination process. Usually the process is as follows: (1) the student submits his/her dissertation chapters (one, two, or three at a time) to each member of the advisory committee for review and comments and then makes any necessary revisions; (2) a complete rough draft of the dissertation is then submitted to the advisory committee for review and comments, and any necessary revisions are then made; (3) at least two weeks before the final oral examination is to be held, the Graduate School is notified via a “Request for Appointment of Examining Committee"; (4) the final copy is completed, and will include any changes required by the examining committee at the oral examination. Unless the complete rough draft is received by the advisory committee no later than six weeks before the last day of classes in any semester, it will be extremely difficult to complete the degree requirements by the last day of classes.
Students who wish to complete the PhD degree requirements during a summer session should note the following: At least two weeks before the last day of spring semester classes, each member of the advisory committee must be asked about availability during the summer to read the project or dissertation and to attend the final oral examination. If any member of the advisory committee will not be available, a replacement must be appointed before the last Friday of spring semester classes. The final examination must be held on or before the last day of summer session classes. No final oral exam may be held during the period between the last day of summer classes and the first day of fall semester classes. Thus, because of the scheduling involved, the complete draft must be received by the advisory committee no later than five weeks before the last day of summer session classes in order to guarantee completion of the degree requirements and receive the degree in August.
Students often underestimate the amount of time required to complete the final examination process. Usually the process is as follows: (1) the student submits his/her dissertation chapters (one, two, or three at a time) to each member of the advisory committee for review and comments and then makes any necessary revisions; (2) a complete rough draft of the dissertation is then submitted to the advisory committee for review and comments, and any necessary revisions are then made; (3) at least two weeks before the final oral examination is to be held, the Graduate School is notified via a “Request for Appointment of Examining Committee"; (4) the final copy is completed, and will include any changes required by the examining committee at the oral examination. Unless the complete rough draft is received by the advisory committee no later than six weeks before the last day of classes in any semester, it will be extremely difficult to complete the degree requirements by the last day of classes.