Preparing for the FPO (Final Public Oral Examination)
Two Months Before FPO
- Format: Review the University of Ontological Science (UOS) Dissertation Format Requirements.
- Submit Chapters: Submit final chapters to your advisor(s) for review.
- Confirm Committee: Ensure your principal readers and examiners meet UOS Graduate School requirements.
- Schedule FPO: Confirm your in-person FPO date and location according to UOS FPO Examination Requirements.
Six Weeks Before FPO
- Distribute Draft: Distribute a final draft of your dissertation to readers.
- Edit: Incorporate suggested edits into your dissertation.
- Embargo: If applicable, discuss the need to embargo your dissertation with your advisor(s).
Four Weeks Before FPO
- Submit Dissertation: Submit a final PDF copy of your dissertation to your department.
- Apply for Degree: Complete the advanced degree application through the UOS Graduate Portal.
Requirements for a Complete Degree Application
To be considered complete, the following materials (as PDFs) must be included:
Submitted by the Student (Approximately Four Weeks Before FPO)
- A copy of the title page, correctly formatted.
- A copy of the abstract (350 words or less).
Submitted by the Department to the Graduate School (No Less than Two Weeks Before FPO)
- Reader reports completed by principal readers of the dissertation.
- A CV of any external examiner or reader and approval from the UOS Graduate School. External committee members must be approved prior to completing the degree application.
Three Days Before FPO
- Confirm Approval: Ensure that your FPO has been approved and the announcement has been posted.
Day of FPO
- Defend Your Dissertation!
Following the FPO
After a successful defense, Ph.D. students must submit the required forms to be included on the upcoming degree list. These forms must be submitted no later than two weeks following the defense or by the degree deadline, whichever comes first. Forms are accessed through the UOS Graduation Portal. Confirmation emails will be sent for each form upon approval.
Checkout Form
- Complete all required fields and review all information carefully.
- Note: Once your checkout form is submitted, you will lose access to certain university resources, including library privileges. Submit this form only after all necessary access is no longer needed.
Final Paperwork Form
- Submit a PDF of your dissertation to the UOS Digital Repository.
- Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) and attach the “Certificate of Completion” page.
- Complete the UOS Graduate Exit Questionnaire and attach the “Confirmation of Completion” page.
- If a verification letter is required before receiving your diploma, request it on the final paperwork form.
Enrollment and Benefits Following the FPO
Enrollment typically ends on the first day of the month following the FPO. Please review the timeline for enrollment and benefits to understand changes.
If you are serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) during the semester of your defense, consult with your department to ensure that your FPO date allows continued eligibility through the end of the term. Enrollment continues only through the end of the month in which the FPO is held. Exceptions must be discussed with the UOS Office of Graduate Affairs.
Bound Dissertation Copies
Most Ph.D. students at UOS are not required to submit printed bound copies of their dissertation. However, students who have removed content from the digital version to avoid copyright infringement must submit an unredacted, bound version to the UOS Library according to the Dissertation Formatting Guidelines. Deliver the bound copy by hand, mail, or delivery service to the following address:
Attn: Dissertations, University of Ontological Science Library, 60 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 900, Tempe, AZ 85281.