Can anyone attend a thesis defense?

RacinReaver
Mon, 30 Sep 2013 22:17:17 +0000

Often there’s a public portion, open to the public, and a closed session held afterwards during which the real grilling by their committee takes place.

The defense can be a celebration of sorts for people finishing up their degree. Often times family, friends, and other people close to the candidate will attend to both show support, and to learn what they’ve been up to for the last 4+ years.

Not going to lie, it’s really depressing going to a defense with only ~5 people in the audience.