Completion of Degree

Each Ph.D. candidate is required to complete an in-depth, original, independent research project with results that are acceptable for publication in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. The candidate assembles their research into a Dissertation and presents it at a public seminar followed by an oral examination, i.e., the dissertation defense.

Before the candidate can set a defense date, they must prepare a first-author manuscript, obtain the thesis committee’s approval, and submit the manuscript for publication. Past students have had their papers published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neurochemistry, Nature Communications, Neuron, Glia, Brain, and other journals.

The Thesis Advisory Committee must formally approve the written dissertation, certifying that it represents a significant original contribution to the scientific knowledge base and that the candidate has succeeded in the oral defense.

How to Complete Your Degree

1. Schedule a Thesis Defense Seminar

Request approval from the IPN Director and Program Coordinator before scheduling your thesis defense seminar.

2. Apply to Graduate

View the Ph.D. Graduating Student Checklist for detailed steps on the graduation process.

3. Dissertation, Doctoral Project, and Thesis Information

Please view the Dissertation, Doctoral Project, and Thesis Information page for information on Guidelines for Thesis Writers, Dissertation Proposal (to be filed at least a semester before the completion of your degree), and the Thesis Template. Review the Submission of Dissertation or Doctoral Project page for information on the Dissertation Reviewers Report (to be filed at least a week before your defense) and timeline.

4. Thesis Ballot and Thesis Cover Sheet

Contact ipn@georgetown.edu with your thesis title and thesis committee members. The Program Coordinator will generate your Thesis Ballot and Thesis Cover Sheet and deliver them to your thesis committee, and will ensure that the Thesis Ballot gets signed by the IPN Director and submitted to Biomedical Graduate Education (BGE).

5. Complete Academic Forms

Complete the Electronic Thesis & Defense (ETD) Release Form and Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) Form. The forms can be found on the GSAS Academic Forms page.

6. Prepare for Commencement

Check the BGE Commencement page to get ready for your ceremony!

Refer to the IPN Student Handbook for more further instructions.

About Master’s Degrees

We do not accept students into a master’s program, but we do award a master’s in passing and, in certain cases, a terminal master’s degree. Speak to the chair of the Student Advisory Committee to learn the requirements for a master’s degree from the IPN.

If a student is requesting a master’s in passing, a Student Petition for Change to Program must be completed before the student may apply for the degree. The student should start this process with the graduate program about 2-3 business days before the monthly deadline to submit the web-based Application for Graduate Degree.