Final Dissertation Checklist

PhD IT Final Dissertation Checklist

You must be registered for dissertation research credit (999) during the semester you defend.

Submit the Intent to Graduate Form online, this will flag your record for graduation. To start the graduation process, go to: http://registrar.gmu.edu/graduation/index.html

Select a pre-defense date with your committee. You must obtain your committee’s approval on the Approval to Defend form at the time of your pre-defense and return it to the PhD IT program manager.

Schedule a conference room for your pre-defense and (final defense).

Submit the Approval to Defend form with the date, time, and location of your final defense and an electronic copy of your abstract to (The Approval to Defend form must be submitted four weeks prior to defense). An official announcement will be generated and circulated to the university community. (The flyer must be circulated two weeks prior to defense.)

Take a draft copy of your dissertation to the Johnson Center Library Reserve Desk and put on reserve. (The copy must be on reserve two weeks prior to the defense date.)

Conduct a formatting review. Please contact the library via e-mail at or by telephone at 703.993.2222 to schedule an appointment. Please email submissions to Sally Evans at at least two days (preferably three to five days) in advance of your actual appointment. Signature sheets MUST be approved by the library for format before obtaining final signatures!

Schedule a final defense. Dr. Nash attends all final defenses; therefore, you will need to check his availability through his assistant Susie Mueller (; 993-1505).

Due dates for turning in final dissertation in order to graduate

Can be found on the graduation website:

http://registrar.gmu.edu/graduation/timeline.html

Updated 04/29/15