Dissertation Defense

Following are the rules for completing the PhD program:

When the dissertation is complete, it is to be read by a jury of at least three readers, two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Copies are to be submitted to each of the readers, as well as one to the department, at least two months before the date on which the degree is to be awarded and at least one month before the date of the dissertation defense.
The student will be asked to defend the dissertation orally after it has been read, at least one month before the degree is to be awarded.
The date and time of the dissertation defense will be announced in writing to the entire faculty of the department and all will be invited to attend.
The student may then be required to revise parts of the dissertation according to comments made by the advisors, occasionally also other faculty, before submitting a final version.
The student is responsible for having spiral-bound (or hard-bound if the student desires) copies of the final dissertation made. One copy should be deposited with the department, to be placed in the departmental library, and one with the Registrar.
Students are  solely responsible for meeting all GSAS degree application deadlines and for submitting their final dissertations. Schedules (as well as advice) are available in the NELC office and the Registrar’s office (20 Garden Street, room 109).