Jump to Main Content
Jump to Top Navigation
Jump to Page Navigation
Jump to Footer Navigation
University of Washington

University of Washington Information School

  • Programs
    • Informatics Undergraduate major and minor
    • MLIS Master of Library and Information Science
    • MSIM Master of Science in Information Management
    • Museology Master of Arts
    • Ph.D. Doctorate Program
    • Professional & Cont. Ed. Related programs & non-degree options
  • Research
    • Research Impact How our research drives progress and helps people
    • Updates The latest news from our faculty and research staff
    • Research Areas Core topics of iSchool research
    • Research Groups Hubs for innovative scholarship & research
    • Grants & Awards Recent funding for iSchool research projects
  • News & Events
    • News The latest stories from our community
    • Events What's happening on campus and beyond
    • Podcast Documents That Changed the World, with Joe Janes
  • People
    • Directory Find iSchool faculty, staff and students
    • Alumni Stay connected with the iSchool and fellow alumni
    • Advising & Support Find help from our team of student advisors
    • Faculty Affairs Making the iSchool a joyful professional community for faculty
    • I Am the iSchool Meet some of our students and alumni
  • The School
    • About Us The iSchool is home to innovators and leaders who make information work
    • Diversity We are committed to building an inclusive community
    • Employers & Partners How to collaborate with faculty and students
    • Capstone Students work with organizations to solve information problems
    • Support the iSchool Every gift makes a difference to students
Request Information
Information Tools
Search Menu
banner image

Doctorate in Information Science

  • Informatics
  • MLIS
  • MSIM
  • Museology
  • Ph.D.
    • Academics
      • Course Websites
      • Course Schedules
      • Special Topics & New Courses
      • Degree Requirements
      • Practica
      • General Exam
      • Proposal Defense
        • Proposal Defense Policy
      • Dissertation Process
      • Degree Planning
      • Online Learning
    • Admissions
    • Committees
    • Scholarships & Funding
    • People
  • Professional & Cont. Ed.

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

Proposal Defense

  1. Programs
  2. Ph.D.
  3. Academics
  4. Proposal Defense

Purpose

The purpose of the dissertation proposal defense is to assure that your plan of researching your proposed research question is complete and holds academic merit. Students work closely with their supervisory committees in determining the composition of the dissertation proposal and in writing the proposal.

Process

At least six weeks prior to the dissertation proposal defense, the candidate contacts Student Services to confirm the members of their supervisory committee. This would include the addition of a non-University of Washington external faculty member if previously agreed upon.

The candidate schedules a date, a time, and a room for the dissertation proposal defense. The candidate also submits details regarding the dissertation proposal defense to the iSchool web calendar, the PhD program chair, and Student Services.

At least two weeks before the scheduled proposal defense date, the final written proposal must be submitted to all members of the supervisory committee. The voting members of the committee, in consultation with the student, determine the length and outline the structure of the defense.

The proposal defense is a public event. However, the deliberations of the supervisory committee are private. The supervisory committee records an official decision using the dissertation proposal defense form.

Once the proposal has been defended and accepted, the candidate is cleared to finish writing the dissertation. The candidate submits one paper copy and one PDF version of the dissertation proposal to Student Services.

More Information

  • Dissertation Proposal Defense Policy
  • Dissertation Proposal Defense Form
  • Learn more about supervisory committee policies

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

News

A graduate smiles as she approaches the stage to receive her degree.

Convocation celebrates iSchool's largest class of graduates

Friday, June 13, 2025
More than 700 graduates crossed the stage to be recognized at the University of Washington Information School’s 2025 Convocation ceremony on June 7 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.It was the iSchool’s largest class yet, honoring graduates of...
Read more
Student presents their project

Annual iSchool Showcase celebrates student achievements

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Information School gathered on June 4 to celebrate student milestones from the academic year with more than 100 projects on display at the 2025 iSchool Showcase. Students from all five iSchool degree programs had the opportunity to...
Read more

Events

Jun 28
 
3:00-5:00PM

iSchool Alumni Social at ALA Conference 2025

Pennsylvania Convention Center
Jul 9
 
7:00-7:45PM

iSchool Read-Alongs Series: July

Online
Aug 5
 
8:30-9:30AM

MSIM Conversation with Professor Sara Sanford - Career Outcomes

Zoom / Online
Aug 7
 
7:00-7:45PM

iSchool Read-Alongs Series: August

Online
iSchools.org
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Logo & Brand Guidelines
  • IT / Help Desk
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Make a Gift
iSchools.org
© 2025 UW Information School
Box 352840 - Mary Gates Hall, Ste. 370
Seattle, WA 98195-2840
United States of America
206-685-9937
Close menu
Toolkit
Request Information

Search:

All People
  • Programs
    • Informatics
    • MLIS
    • MSIM
    • Museology
    • Ph.D.
    • Professional & Cont. Ed.
  • Research
    • Research Impact
    • Updates
    • Research Areas
    • Research Groups
    • Grants & Awards
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Podcast
  • People
    • Directory
    • Alumni
    • Advising & Support
    • Faculty Affairs
    • I Am the iSchool
  • The School
    • About Us
    • Diversity
    • Employers & Partners
    • Capstone
    • Support the iSchool

toolkit

  • iSchool Intranet
  • MyUW
  • Outlook on the web
  • Office 365
  • Workday
  • UW Time Schedule
  • UW Academic Calendar
  • iSchool Slack
  • Knowledge Base
  • Watermark
  • Azure Dev Tools
  • Zoom
  • Canvas LMS
  • Qualtrics
  • Emergency Info
  • Site Login
Loading Results...Loading search results, please wait.

Highlights

Full Results

See Full Results
See Full Directory

Customize Your Experience

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Everyone