1. The complete dissertation should be distributed to all dissertation committee members with sufficient time to read carefully before the defense and after approval by the major professor.  (I recommend at least 10 days with 14 days preferable.)
2. All dissertation committee members must fully participate in the defense.  This means they should all be present.  When one member MUST be in another locality, that person must be able to participate via speaker phone for the entire defense and committee discussion which follows.
3. When the dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School, it should be accompanied by the APA checklist found at this website: http://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/pdfs/apa_checklist.pdf. This should be checked and signed by both the student and major professor. 
4. In our college we distribute an announcement at least 7 days before the defense.  Stormey Warren and Dr. Rakow (Associate Dean for Administration and Graduate Programs) would like to have it at least one day earlier so that in the few cases in which corrections must be made there is time to do so.  Guidelines can be found at this website: http://www.memphis.edu/coe/doctoral-final-exam-announcement.htm. This should be revised and edited by Dr. Grant before sending to Stormey Warren.
1. Once it has been approved by Stormey/Dr. Rakow, you will need to provide 10 paper copies (duplex, front and back) to Stormey for distribution.  I recommend printing these on nice paper (not thin but not card stock either) and in color if possible.

AND

1. Your dissertation defense meeting should include a 8-12 minute presentation of your proposed study.  This presentation should:
1. highlight why this study is personally relevant to you (make this personal) and how you came to present this study. 
2. remind us of the need for the study (probably in one slide).
3. use references.
4. remind us of the method (probably in one slide).
5. remind us the findings (in as few slides as possible).
6. remind us the discussion and implications (in as few slides as possible).
7. ask for help from the committee at the end.
8. NOT be copy/pasted from your dissertation.
9. NOT be the exact words you will speak. 
2. Your dissertation defense meeting is called a defense, but it should not be defensive.
3. Your dissertation defense meeting should be scheduled at the convenience of your committee members.  Give the committee members a number of date and time options to determine their availability.  Consider using a service like Meeting Wizard (http://www.meetingwizard.com) or Doodle (http://www.doodle.com).
4. Your dissertation defense meeting should be viewed as an opportunity to improve the report of your research.  Take copious notes.
5. Your dissertation defense meeting should be an opportunity for you to answer questions from committee members other than your chair.  Should be an opportunity to explain the decisions you made within your research.  Ask questions of your committee members for clarification.
6. Your dissertation defense meeting should include a handout, if appropriate.  But the handout should not duplicate what is within your document. 
7. An email reminder should be sent the day before to remind committee members “you’re looking forward to hearing their feedback on your report of research  tomorrow at ___ in room ____.”
8. During the meeting, listen.  Answer questions asked.  Don’t ramble.
9. Food (e.g., breakfast, lunch) and snacks are appropriate and appreciated but not required.  If you will be supplying a meal or snacks, be sure to inform your committee during one of your communications.