A dissertation defense, also known as a viva voce or oral defense, is a critical milestone in the journey of obtaining a Ph.D. It is the final examination where you present and defend your research findings and conclusions before a committee of faculty members and experts in the field. The defense typically takes place after you have completed your dissertation and are ready to graduate.

Here’s what you can expect during a dissertation defense:

1. Scheduling the Defense: Before the defense, you must coordinate with your advisor, committee members, and the department to find a suitable date and time for the defense. Make sure to provide ample notice to all involved parties.
2. Preparation: Prepare a well-structured and comprehensive presentation of your research. The presentation should cover the research problem, objectives, methodology, data analysis, and the significance of your findings. Practice your presentation to ensure you can effectively communicate your work within the allotted time.
3. Committee Members: The defense committee usually consists of your primary advisor, other faculty members from your department, and sometimes external experts. Your advisor will guide you on the composition of the committee.
4. Presentation: During the defense, you will give a presentation of your research. This is usually followed by a question-and-answer session where the committee members will ask you about various aspects of your research, methodology, and findings.
5. Q&A Session: The committee members will ask both clarifying questions and more in-depth inquiries about your work. Be prepared to justify your research decisions, explain any limitations, and defend your conclusions. It is essential to remain calm and composed during this phase.
6. Critical Analysis: The committee may challenge certain aspects of your research, propose alternative interpretations, or suggest further avenues for exploration. This is a normal part of the process, and it demonstrates that they are engaging with your work seriously.
7. Outcome: Following the Q&A session, the committee will typically deliberate in private to decide the outcome of the defense. There are three possible outcomes:
   • Pass: Congratulations, you have successfully defended your dissertation!
   • Conditional Pass: In some cases, the committee might ask for minor revisions or corrections to be made before final approval.
   • Fail: Rarely, a defense may result in failure. If this happens, you might be given a chance to make significant revisions and re-defend at a later date.
8. Celebration: Assuming a successful defense, you and your committee members will celebrate this significant achievement.

Once you successfully defend your dissertation and complete any required revisions, you will be one step closer to obtaining your Ph.D. degree in theology. The final steps involve submitting the approved dissertation to the university’s graduate school and fulfilling any other administrative requirements to officially graduate.