Thesis Defenses
Oral Examination: Master's Degree — Defense procedrues and timeslines for masters defenses
Oral Examination: Doctoral Degree — Defense procedures and timelines for doctoral defenses
— Shows days and weeks between two dates. Helpful for figuring out timelines
Important: Scheduling a thesis defense can take longer than expected. Scheduling a thesis defense in the summer semester, especially in August, can be difficult due to many faculty taking vacation or being out of town during this period. If scheduling a defense for the end of the summer semester, start scheduling very early.
Don't forget to apply to graduate in the semester that you will be defending. You can apply before or after holding your defense but must apply before that semester's deadline.
Documentation and Deadlines - Masters
Documents and information should be submitted to the gradaute program assisant (bpk_programs@sfu.ca)
~6-8 weeks prior to intended defense
- If you would like assistance with scheduling your defense, contact the graduate program assistant
At least 6 weeks prior to intended defense date:
- Examiner details - Name, department, contact email, contact phone number, rank. If they are external to SFU a CV will also be required
- Defense format - hybrid or full remote
- Title of thesis
- Proposed defense date and time
This information will be used to create the Examining Committee Form, which will be signed by all members of the supervisory committee. The student will not see this form.
4 weeks before intended defense date
- Examination committee form (completed by Gradaute Program Assistant and your supervisor)
- Thesis Abstract
- Ethics documentation (if applicable)
2 weeks before intended defense date
- Completed thesis document
Documentation and Deadlines - Doctoral
Documents and information should be submitted to the gradaute program assisant (bpk_programs@sfu.ca)
~8-10 weeks prior to intended defense
- If you would like assistance with scheduling your defense, contact the graduate program assistant
At least 8 weeks prior to intended defense date:
- Examiner details - Name, department, contact email, contact phone number, rank
- External Examiner details - Name, institution, address, department, contact email, contact phone number, rank, CV*
- Defense format - hybrid or full remote
- Title of thesis
- Proposed defense date and time
This information will be used to create the Examining Committee Form, which will be signed by all members of the supervisory committee. The student will not see this form.
*The student may not contact the external examiner directly. The student's supervisor should ask for the External Examiner's CV on their behalf.
6 weeks before intended defense date
- Examination committee form (completed by Gradaute Program Assistant and your supervisor)
- Completed thesis
- Ethics documentation (if applicable)
- External Examiner's CV