The Final Examination is the declaration of, or more traditionally "the defense" of, the dissertation. As stated in Graduate School Memorandum #13, General and Final Examinations must have four committee members present, including the Chair, GSR and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member. If a member (s) needs to participate at an exam but cannot be physically present, UW Graduate School Instructions for Audio/Video Conferencing in Doctoral Examinations must be followed.

Before requesting a Final Examination with the UW Graduate School, check with Academic Services in the School of Nursing to assure that your current working supervisory committee members are consistent with the names officially listed with the UW Graduate School. After the Final Examination, all attending members of the supervisory committee sign the warrant. Again, as with the General Examination, the GSR must fill out a report for the Graduate School assuring that candidate was treated fairly and rigorously. The Graduate School solicits the report from the GSR.

Candidates must be registered for at least 2 credits in the quarter in which the degree is conferred. The dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School within 60 days of passing the Final Examination. The candidate must also submit an unbound copy of the dissertation and an abstract to Academic Services in the School of Nursing. There is a checklist of requirements for student's final quarter available in Academic Services. Candidates should plan to obtain a copy at least one quarter before anticipated enrollment for the final examination.

After satisfactory examination completion, the candidate has 60 days to make the stipulated refinements in the dissertation and then submit to the Graduate School. If this 60-day period goes beyond the end of the current quarter, candidates must register for the following quarter and the degree will be dated for that quarter.

A 15-minute appointment is required for final submission. Appointments must be scheduled between 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:45 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 206/543-5900, or email blueizs@grad.washington.edu, or schedule an appointment in person with the receptionist in G-1 Communications Building. Walk-in evaluation and acceptance of theses and dissertations will take place ONLY during Finals Week. Copies of the dissertation must be received by 5:00 p.m. on last day of quarter. See UW Frequently Asked Questions on Theses and Dissertations for more information.