PiN students are required to write a thesis, present a one-hour thesis seminar, and pass an oral examination (typically scheduled for two hours) in order to graduate. PiN expects the thesis to be equivalent in standard to a peer reviewed publication. While there is no publication requirement, most PiN students will graduate with at least one first-author paper or two or more other papers. The average time to degree completion for PiN students is approximately 5½ years.
Dissertation & Defense

Defense Guidelines for PiN Students
Timeline & Logistics
When your Dissertation Advisory Committee has determined that you are ready to begin writing your thesis, your committee will "check" your permission-to-write "box" and the Division of Medical Sciences will reach out to schedule a meeting with you to discuss next steps, including dissertation & defense requirements, forming your exam committee, scheduling your defense, and preparing for graduation.
Students are required to complete their defense within 6 months of getting their box checked. Harvard awards official degrees only three times during the year: March, May, and November. However, students may defend their dissertation any time during the year.
Students can ask the PiN administrator for help with reserving a room on campus for their defense.