Dissertation Timeline
Step 1
Verify your committee has been approved by reviewing your unofficial transcript through Wolverine Access 6 months prior to Group Pre-Defense.
Review Rackham’s Dissertation & Abstract Format Guidelines.
Step 2
Register for group Pre-Defense meeting at least 3 days prior to group Pre-Defense meeting.
Step 3
Attend a group Pre-Defense meeting at Rackham at least 10 working days prior to your oral defense. At this meeting you will receive Dissertation Evaluation forms for committee members.
Step 4
Distribute Dissertation Evaluation forms and copies of your abstract and dissertation to committee members at least 10 working days prior to your oral defense of dissertation.
Step 5
Check Wolverine Access 3 days prior to your oral defense to confirm that Dissertation Evaluation forms have been received from all committee members.
Step 6
Follow up with your committee members if the Dissertation Evaluation forms have not been received. Then confirm on Wolverine Access that the forms have been received.
Step 7
Pick up your Defense Packet from Rackham OARD prior to defending.
Step 8
Oral Defense of Dissertation
Step 9
Verify with your committee Chair that they have submitted the Final Oral Examination Report to Rackham OARD.
Step 10
Complete any changes, corrections, or revisions to your dissertation as required by your committee Chair or Co-Chair.
Step 11
Obtain a signed Certificate of Dissertation Committee Approval from your committee Chair or Co-Chair.
Step 12
Register for Post-Defense meeting with Rackham OARD referencing the Doctoral Degree Deadlines.
Step 13
Apply for your doctoral degree through Wolverine Access.
Step 14
Submit the signed Certificate of Dissertation Committee Approval and Final Oral Examination Report (if not submitted previously by the committee Chair), unbound paper copy of dissertation, two copies of abstract, one extra Title Page, ProQuest/UMI Publishing Agreement, and Survey of Earned Doctorates at Post-Defense meeting with Rackham OARD. Receive instructions for online submission of dissertation at Post-Defense meeting. Follow up with any outstanding Rackham requirements.
Step 15
Graduate Degree Completed
Step 16
Graduate Degree Conferred
Downloads
A PDF version of the Dissertation Timeline is also available.