Doctoral Students

Important dates

Summer 2024 semester

• July 12
  • Last day to defend thesis, dissertation or DScPT report
    • The doctoral dissertation defense announcement form must be submitted 2 weeks prior to your scheduled defense. If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Summer 2024 and must update your graduation semester.
• July 19
  • Last day to obtain thesis/dissertation or DScPT report format approval from the Graduate School
    • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
    • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than JULY 19. 
• July 26
  • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis, dissertation or DScPT report to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.   

Fall 2024 semester

• November 1
  • Last day to defend thesis, dissertation or DScPT report
    • The doctoral dissertation defense announcement form must be submitted 2 weeks prior to your scheduled defense. If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Fall 2024 and must update your graduation semester.
• November 8
  • Last day to obtain thesis/dissertation or DScPT report format approval from the Graduate School
    • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
    • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than NOVEMBER 8. 
• November 15
  • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis, dissertation or DScPT report to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.  

Winter 2025 semester

• March 14
  • Last day to defend thesis, dissertation or DScPT report
    • The doctoral dissertation defense announcement form must be submitted 2 weeks prior to your scheduled defense. If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Winter 2025 and must update your graduation semester.
• March 21
  • Last day to obtain thesis/dissertation or DScPT report format approval from the Graduate School
    • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
    • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than MARCH 21. 
• March 28
  • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis, dissertation or DScPT report to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.  

Please visit the OU calendars page for more information and additional deadlines.

Dissertation process

When submitting a dissertation, you have the option to meet with a thesis and dissertation coordinator. Meetings are by appointment only; no walk-ins are accepted. Review the whole dissertation process by visiting the Thesis and Dissertation page.

Doctoral Research Project

Professional or practice-based doctoral programs culminate in the completion of a terminal doctoral research project. The terminal doctoral research project may be qualitative or quantitative in nature and can include (but is not limited to) randomized clinical trials, intervention studies, comparison studies, single subject methods, meta-analytic designs, integrative literature reviews, or other discipline specific projects demonstrating excellence. Professional or practice-based doctoral students must carefully check individual disciplines for specific graduate program terminal doctoral research project requirements.

Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy

• Minimum Requirements
• Title Page

In addition to the Graduate Program Catalog, Graduate Course Description Catalog (which is updated daily) and the Graduate Student Policy, these tools will help you to maintain good academic standing at OU.

• Animal Care and Use - IACUC
• Exception to Graduate Policy Petitions
• FERPA Guide 
• Graduate assistant guidelines
• Human Subjects - IRB
• OU Administrative Policies and Procedures
• OU Student Handbook
• ProQuest Dissertation Publishing
• Survey of Earned Doctorates  
• National center for faculty development & diversity

Please contact your adviser or graduate program coordinator for specific program requirements.