Thesis, Defense and Graduation

Requirements to Defend

• Satisfy all program-specific and concentration-specific course requirements.
• Successfully complete the Qualifying Examination.
• Get permission from the Student Advisory Committee to write and defend.
• Submit at least one 1st-author manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.
• Attend the mandatory thesis workshop on avoiding plagiarism.
• International students: – must meet with the Office of International Services (OIS) before submitting the Thesis Defense paperwork to the Graduate Office.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) – contact OIS for more information.

Thesis and Defense Guidelines, Forms and Resources

• Thesis and Defense Guidelines
• Thesis Defense Committee Form – must be submitted to the Graduate Office at least two months prior to the date of defense.
• Mentor Acknowledgement Form – Thesis – due one month prior to the date of defense.
• Thesis Defense Committee Report Form – due immediately after the defense.
• Career and Professional Development
• Cite it Right! A Guide to Thesis Preparation
• NIH Guide to Ethical Writing
• Copyright Guide
• Academic Calendar

After the Defense

Required For Program Completion and Graduation:

I. FINAL THESIS:

Submit your final doctoral thesis to ProQuest!
ProQuest Online Form
ProQuest Guide: Registering and copyrighting your Thesis

II. MANDATORY SURVEYS:

Complete the SED survey!
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The Certificate of Completion must be submitted to the Graduate Office.

Complete the PhD Learning Environment survey!
A link to the survey will be emailed to the student after the thesis defense.

III. REQUIRED FORMS:

• Graduation Checklist
• PhD Diploma Form
• PhD Alumni Form
• Honorary “Thank You” Certificate Form (optional)

Degree Conferral Dates:

• September 30, 2024 All academic requirements must be fulfilled by 9/27/2024
• January 31, 2025 All academic requirements must be fulfilled by 1/30/2025
• May 21, 2025 All academic requirements must be fulfilled by 4/21/2025

Graduation Events:

Annual PhD Convocation:
A celebration of our PhD graduates and their mentors!
This event is held a day before the Annual Commencement Ceremony in May.

Annual PhD Graduation Reception:
An annual party with graduate students, faculty and staff to celebrate the year’s PhD graduates, and recipients of the LaDonne Schulman Teaching Award and the Student Service Award. This event is held the evening before the Annual Commencement Ceremony in May.

Annual Commencement Ceremony:
A commencement ceremony is held each year (in May) in celebration of the accomplishments of Einstein’s graduates. All September, January and May PhD graduates are invited to participate in the ceremony. Questions? Email gradevents@einsteinmed.edu.