Based on the current decision from the Provost, UMD is returning to normal in-person instructional mode, starting in Fall 21.
To be consistent with this transition, Graduate School has instructed that Thesis and Dissertation Defense exams should also resume their traditional in-person format.
Details of their guidelines can be found here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/resumption-person-thesis-and-dissertation-defenses
Since we have traditionally followed Graduate School Defense format as guidance for Ph.D. Qualifier Exams and Dissertation Proposal Presentations, those events will also resume their traditional in-person format starting in Fall 21. Waivers for special situations will require prior approval and will be based on the guidelines provided by Graduate School in their website above.
Proposal Presentations and Defenses scheduled in Summer 2021 can be conducted in either format or in a hybrid mode, depending on the situation. Prior approval is not needed for any of these formats in Summer 2021.