The dissertation must be in a format specified by the Office of Graduate Studies. A copy of the manuscript must be presented to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval of the format and editorial characteristics at least three weeks before the oral defense of the thesis. This is referred to as first deposit of the thesis and must be made before the first deposit deadline as specified by the Office of Graduate Studies. At this time, a date for the oral defense must be established for public announcement. The oral defense of the dissertation is administered by the Research Committee which makes a critical inquiry into the work reported in the dissertation and into the areas of knowledge that are immediately relevant to the research.
All members vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation.
Miscellaneous Residence Requirement Students in the Ph.D. program are normally expected to be full-time. In particular, after passing Qualifying Exams, students must spend at least two consecutive semesters as a full-time student at UCF registered for a minimum of nine hours each term. Once a student has satisfied all of the requirements for the Ph.D. except the doctoral dissertation, the student must continue to enroll for at least one semester hour of research credit every semester until the oral defense of the dissertation has been made. Time Limitation Students have seven years after formal admission into the Ph.D. program in which to complete the program requirements. Course work over seven years old may have to be repeated.