The Thesis Defense

The Oral Defense. While research and manuscript preparation are key parts of a thesis, there is another step to complete before the process is finished. You will take part in an oral “Defense” before the members of your thesis/creative project committee. The defense is an opportunity for you to present your topic and research to a group of knowledgeable and interested researchers in your field who by now know your work since you have been communicating with them closely throughout the thesis/creative project process. They will be able to provide you with helpful feedback and recommendations. The Defense is designed to be an intellectual exercise and opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned over one or two semesters (during the thesis process); it reflects the culmination of your Barrett honors experience. It is a great chance to practice your presentation skills in front of a small audience and receive valuable feedback from experts in your discipline. It is rewarding when you recognize that your work is really contributing to advancing knowledge in that field! Anticipate your defense by being prepared.

It is the responsibility of you and your thesis committee to determine where the thesis will take place. Many Defenses are scheduled in the Barrett Conference rooms but they also are often scheduled in facilities within the department. You and your thesis director will also decide on the date, noting the appropriate thesis defense deadlines corresponding with your anticipated graduation date. If you and your director encounter a problem in scheduling your Defense, you should contact your Barrett honors advisor at 480-965-9155.

What to Expect/Tips:
The way an oral defense is conducted may vary by committee, but generally you and the committee members will meet for an hour or hour and a half, during which time:

  • You will give a brief (15 minutes) seminar-style summary of the project designed to review the origins of your project, its scope, the methodology you used, significant findings and conclusions.


  • The committee will ask questions about issues raised by the thesis/creative project, ask you to justify the choices made in researching the project, and speculate on the applications or usefulness of your project.


  • At the end of the question period, you will be dismissed from the room while the committee members review your performance. When they have reached a consensus, they will call you in to give you their appraisal and comments.


  • The defense is open to the public so it is possible others may attend outside your committee.


  • It is not unusual to be a little nervous in anticipation of the Defense. It will help if you eat right, get adequate rest and be confident about all the work you put into making it a great presentation.


  • Remember to prepare a Signature Title Page before the defense for committee members’ signatures. Be sure to take it with you to your defense.


  • Remember the following deadlines:


    • Fall 2008 Graduation and corresponding deadlines:
    Prospectus due                                             February 8, 2008
    Defense completed                                        October 31, 2008
    Signed title page and final unbound copy         November 25, 2008

    Spring 2008 Graduation and corresponding deadlines:
    Prospectus due                                             September 12, 2008
    Defense completed                                        April 1, 2009
    Thesis copy due date                                     April 24, 2009

    * If you miss a deadline, please contact your Honors Advisor at 480-965-9155.

    Depending on the amount and type of revisions the committee recommends (if any), you will leave the defense with one of the following sets of directions. You are responsible for making the revisions proposed by the committee and will need to consult with your thesis director to ensure that the committee’s recommendations are met.

  • Approved
    1.      minor format/editorial corrections
    2.      all committee members sign the Signature Title Page
    3.      the thesis director makes any final recommendations


  • Provisional Approval (a common outcome)
    1.      extensive format/editorial corrections and/or minor substantive changes (i.e., some text needs rewriting, consistent grammatical errors demand correction)
    2.      second and third readers make their recommendations and sign the Signature Title Page
    3.      thesis/creative project director signs the approval page only after the required corrections are made


  • Not approved (very rare outcome)
    1.      basic design and/or overall execution of the study are significantly flawed
    2.      candidate’s performance in the oral defense is seriously deficient
    3.      Signature Title Page should not be signed