Ph.D. Proposal Presentation

Oral Exam Scheduling

Any time after completing an acceptable draft of the dissertation, with the approval of the advisor and reading committee, the student may schedule the university oral exam (also known as the dissertation defense). To do so requires completion of the University Oral Exam Schedule Form. This form should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the day of the exam.

Oral Exam Committee

The University Oral Examination Committee must consist of a Chair, and four examiners including the principal dissertation advisor. Usually this means that the reading committee, plus two other people will make up the Oral Exam Committee. The Chair must be a Stanford Academic Council member and may not have a full or joint appointment in the same department as the candidate or the principal advisor. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that there is at least one unbiased committee member who can make sure that all rules and policies are followed during the exam. The Chair need not be familiar with the student's field or specialization. Emeriti faculty members are eligible to serve as the Chair. At least three of the four remaining committee members must be on the Stanford Academic Council.

Submit Approved Petition to Chair

Once the oral exam schedule has been approved by the Student Services Manager, the student should pick up the approved petition and accompanying information to give to the Chair of the exam at least two days in advance. If the Chair of the exam does not have the approved petition prior to the start of the exam, the exam will be invalid.

The Chair should submit the exam results to the Student Services Office immediately following the exam. The student's advisor will notify the student of the outcome.

NOTE: Students must be registered during the quarter in which the oral exam is taken.