Start-of-Semester Defense Exception

This exception allows students to enroll in a special one-credit placeholder for their final semester in order to only defend their thesis or dissertation, instead of enrolling as a regular student would normally be required.

To qualify for this exception and the subsequent reduced tuition, you must:

• Have been enrolled in at least three credits for the previous semester.
• Have completed all degree requirements except for the final exam.
• Submit a final thesis or dissertation to your committee during the first three weeks of the semester. Your committee must read it and agree that it’s ready for you to defend by the Friday of the third week of classes.
• Submit a Start of Semester Defense Exception Request form by the Friday of the third week of classes or no later than three weeks prior to your exam, whichever comes first.
• Submit your ETD within two weeks of your exam date.

International students using this exception in Spring or Fall must defend by the end of the fifth week of the semester and submit an ETD no more than two weeks after their exam to maintain their F-1/J-1 immigration status. They must also request a reduced course load based on final-semester enrollment (managed by the Cranwell International Center through the IntlHokies portal) to get approval for less than full time enrollment status.

• See the full graduation requirements
  

2024-2025 Commencement Deadlines for Start-of-Semester Defense (SSDE)