Page 33 - Bowie State University Graduate Catalog 2018-2020.

Graduate Studies. Food and beverages will not be permitted in the
Conference room during the dissertation defense. (Bottled water will be
permitted).

The scheduling of any dissertation defense is the responsibility of the
Graduate School.

e. Procedures for Dissertation Defense (Oral Examination)

1. Attendance
• Attendance at the dissertation defense is limited to
the following:
i. Members of the dissertation examining
committee
ii. The candidate
iii. Members of the academic community,
and
iv. Family and friends

For more details, see the Dissertation Handbook.

2. Vote of the Examination Committee

• The outcome of the dissertation defense (oral
examination) is decided by an open vote of the
dissertation examining committee in the absence
of the candidate. The decision of the committee
(pass or fail) is determined by a majority of those
present and voting.

3. Graduate School Responsibility

• The Graduate School Dean will introduce the
candidate and the dissertation topic for defense to
the entire examination gathering.
• The Graduate Dean will declare the dissertation
open and leave the examination under the
direction of the dissertation chair.

4. College Dean Representative

• The Dean of the College in which the doctoral
program resides may send a representative to
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