If you鈥檙e in a doctoral program, there鈥檚 no doubt you are dreaming of the day where you鈥檒l be announced as 鈥渄octor鈥� for the first time. However, it鈥檚 a long road to get there with many steps along the way, the biggest of which is the defense of your dissertation.
The dissertation defense is often shrouded in mystery. I equate it to the scene in 鈥淭he Wizard of Oz鈥� with the mysterious man behind the green curtain. But it doesn鈥檛 have to be. I鈥檓 pulling back the curtain with tips on how to prepare for your dissertation defense.
Attend a Defense
番茄视频 allows you to attend the defenses of your colleagues remotely. This gives you the unique opportunity to see the defense process and understand what to expect. Take it one step further by attending a defense where your dissertation chair is involved so you get a sense of what they鈥檙e looking for in the process. I recommend reaching out to your chair ahead of time, as they can even help find a defense that鈥檚 a good fit for you to observe.
To find a list of upcoming defenses, go to the in Student Commons. Remember, of course, to be a respectful audience member when attending a defense. While they are open to viewing, it鈥檚 still an intimate process solely belonging to the doctoral candidate.
Know the Rituals
The oral defense is similar to a wedding in that there is prescribed way in which events take place. Fortunately, ACE provides doctoral candidates with a detailed dissertation template that you鈥檒l work through with your chair to fine tune your presentation. You鈥檒l likely find yourself with a dissertation of over 100 pages that you鈥檙e trying to summarize in a short period of time. Work closely with your course instructor and chair to make sure you鈥檝e addressed everything the dissertation committee is looking for in the presentation. If available, use an oral dissertation rubric as your checklist and guide to ensure you鈥檝e answered the demands of the defense.
Create a Timeline
You have a specific time limit for your dissertation defense. Create a timeline for your presentation. Schedule out every single key point of your dissertation to ensure it鈥檚 included. Then, to make sure you adhere to your timeline, practice, practice, practice.
Be the Expert
Remember, you are now the expert on this topic. This is your research and your findings. The committee is not there to dispute your findings. They are there to engage you in scholarly conversation about what you鈥檝e found and celebrate this momentous occasion in your academic career with you.
When you get to your dissertation defense, you鈥檒l have been through a lot with your committee members and chair. It will be the first opportunity for your whole team to celebrate your accomplishment and contribution to your field. Revel in the hard work it took to get to this moment and enjoy it!
番茄视频 provides personalized support to doctoral candidates, from the first day of your program to the last minute of your dissertation defense. Explore our fully .
