Once you have completed all the required coursework, exams, proposal defense and are enrolled in your final dissertation hours, you are eligible to schedule your final defense (and graduate!)
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the deadlines for these milestones, since these deadlines change each semester. Note that it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all deadlines and requirements. Missing a deadline can result in a delay in graduation, as CGS will not grant an extension to posted deadlines.
You will also want to verify with your committee if there are any committee-specific deadlines you should adhere to, such as a pre-review of your final thesis/dissertation.
Step 1: File Your Intent to Graduate
In the semester before you graduate, you will need to file an “Intent to Graduate” via MyUCF. You will find the graduation application in Student Self Service>Other Academic>Intent to Graduate. Refer to the Academic Calendar for the intent to graduate deadlines.
Step 2: Review the Thesis and Dissertation Webcourse
This webcourse contains important information about how to prepare, format, and submit your document for approval. Click here to enroll.
Step 3: IRB Closure
Once your research has concluded and you are ready to submit your thesis/dissertation for format review, your study in Huron needs to be closed. This is only applicable to research that was required to be submitted to IRB.
- Before the Format Review deadline indicated in the Academic Calendar, make sure to close your study in Huron, and email the closure letter to socadmissions@ucf.edu.
- When you submit your thesis/dissertation for format review, make sure you include a copy of the letter in your appendix per the instruction in the ETD Webcourse.
Step 4: Format Review
The next step is to submit your formatted thesis or dissertation document for Format Review by the Thesis & Dissertation Editor. You will submit your document electronically on the ETD Services website.
It is wise to once again review the Thesis/Dissertation Webcourse, since it contains information on how to format your document properly.
The College of Graduate Studies also offers workshops each semester to assist students with formatting theses and dissertations. Visit the Thesis and Dissertation website for more information. Questions about formatting requirements can also be directed to ETDHelp@ucf.edu.
Refer to the academic calendar for the format review deadline; it is highly recommended that you submit your format review at least 3 weeks before the deadline since the formatting must not only be submitted, but approved by the Thesis Editor by the deadline. There are no exceptions or extensions for the format review deadline available from the College of Graduate studies.
Step 5: Release Option Selection
Before you can defend your thesis or dissertation, you will need to select your “release option” in myUCF.
To do this, you will go to Student Self Service, and scroll down to the Graduate Students section. Select “Choose Graduate Form”, then “TD Release Option”. Complete the required information, and submit the form.
You should submit your release option at the same time you submit your thesis/dissertation for format review.
Step 6: Download Your Approval Form
Once you complete your release option, IRB closure, and your format review is approved, you can download your thesis/dissertation approval form from the ETD website.
This document should be emailed to socadmissions@ucf.edu.
Step 7: Schedule Your Defense
At least two weeks before your final defense, you will need to submit a thesis/dissertation announcement to socadmissions@ucf.edu. Work with your committee well in advance to schedule a defense date.
If you are defending virtually via Zoom, you will want to schedule the Zoom meeting, and make sure you include the Zoom link and password in the announcement. We recommend scheduling Zoom defenses through the UCF Zoom website with your UCF NID (SSO) login to enable advanced features. If you need technical assistance with setting up your Zoom meeting, you can reach out to the Center for Distributed Learning.
If you are planning to defend in person, you can request a conference room be booked by emailing the Sociology Administrative Assistant, Johnny Pinero Gaston, at johnny.pinerogaston@ucf.edu. We have two conference rooms available; HPH 409A (Pegasus), and HPH 406i (Knights). Let Johnny know which room you prefer when you email the request.
If you plan to have a “hybrid” defense, make sure you request that your defense be held in HPH 409A (Pegasus) as it is equipped with a camera built into the monitor. Please be aware that you will be responsible for any additional technical setup or issues during the defense, as we do not have staff trained in AV setup or troubleshooting. We recommend arriving early for your defense to make sure everything works to your specifications.
Refer to the academic calendar for the final defense deadline.
Below are links to the announcement templates in .docx format.
- Dissertation Defense Announcement Template (Face to Face)
- Dissertation Defense Announcement Template (Remote)
- Thesis Defense Announcement Template (Face to Face)
- Thesis Defense Announcement Template (Remote)
Step 8: Defend Your Thesis/Dissertation
On your defense date, you will meet virtually, face to face, or in a “hybrid” format with your committee to defend your dissertation.
Following your defense, send the approval form that you downloaded from the ETD website to socadmissions@ucf.edu if you have not already done so, and they will send the form through for approval. The deadline to submit your form is the final submission deadline for thesis/dissertation as stated on the Academic Calendar.
Oh, and don’t forget about the SNAKES! 
Step 9: Final Thesis/Dissertation Submission
Your committee and/or the Editor may have changes you need to make to your thesis/dissertation before it is ready to be submitted for final review. Make the requested changes and upload the final document to the ETD website by the final submission deadline.
Step 10: Graduate!
You’ve made it through your program, and you are to be congratulated on your accomplishment! Having met all the requirements for program completion, you can participate in the UCF Commencement Ceremony.
IMPORTANT!