Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Graduate School Updates>

The latest COVID-19 news and information is available at  Penn State's Coronavirus Information website . 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update

On March 11 th  the University announced that beginning March 16 th  instruction for all students will be moving to a remote delivery format. Graduate students enrolled in resident courses should plan on participating remotely, and not coming to campus specifically for face-to-face instruction. Learn more at gradschool.psu.edu/covid19 .

Internet Explorer Detected

The Penn State Graduate School website is best experienced in Firefox or Google Chrome. It is highly recommended that you use an alternative browser.

How to Submit a Master's Thesis

  •  /  Complete Your Degree
  •  /  Thesis and Dissertation Information
  •  /  How to Submit a Master's Thesis
  • Become familiar with the format requirements by reading the  Thesis and Dissertation Handbook .
  • Apply to graduate on LionPATH during the semester in which you plan to graduate. Deadlines for submitting your thesis can be viewed on the Thesis, Dissertation, Performance, and Oral Presentation Calendar.
  • Upload a draft of your thesis for format review (PDF only) to the eTD website by the specified deadline. Corrections and detailed instructions will be returned to you by email.
  • Make any changes required by adviser and/or readers.
  • Review the thesis one final time to be sure that no further changes are needed. It will not be possible to make corrections after final approval by the Office of Theses and Dissertations. Convert the file into a PDF for eTD submission. If you cannot do this, contact the Office of Theses and Dissertations for assistance.
  • Go to the eTD website and upload the final eTD; and pay $10 thesis fee. The fee can be paid at the Payment Section of the Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Information webpage.
  • Await notification of eTD approval by email. If changes are required, you will be notified. Your eTD will be accessible on the eTD website immediately after graduation, unless you have chosen restricted access.

If bound copies are needed, contact any Multimedia & Print Center on campus or you may use an off-campus source. All copies are the author’s responsibility. The Graduate School does not provide copies.

  • Public Lectures
  • Faculty & Staff Site >>

Thesis/Dissertation

To graduate with a master’s (thesis program) or doctoral (dissertation program) degree, students are required to submit an Electronic Thesis/Dissertation (ETD) and a Committee Approval Form to the Graduate School through the  UW ETD Administrator Site . ETDs are distributed by ProQuest/UMI Dissertation Publishing and made available on an open access basis through UW Libraries  ResearchWorks Service .

The Graduate School partners with the UW Libraries to provide comprehensive resources for students as they write, submit, and publish academic theses or dissertations. These pages outline information and policies related to preparing your thesis/dissertation, including formatting, deadlines, copyright and distribution decisions, and, ultimately, graduation. We also encourage you to review the  ETD Library Guide  for additional information.

For comprehensive information on preparing to graduate, please refer to our graduation requirements information page .

Writing Your Thesis or Dissertation

Etd resources.

As a starting point, students submitting an ETD are encouraged to review the below resources:

  • Hacking the Academy: UW Theses & Dissertations (Recording of July 29, 2020 event) This session helps students think through their options for how and when to share their work, including the copyright and publishing considerations they may need to take into account.
  • Electronic Theses & Dissertations with the UW Libraries The University Libraries welcomes you to this self-guided course on electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) at the UW. In this five-part learning experience, you will learn a lot about the ETD process including how the submission process works, how to give and receive recognition for your work, how to find and interpret publisher policies and how to read and inspect publishing contracts.

Formatting Guidelines

After you submit your ETD, the Graduate School will review your document as part of the graduation process at the end of each quarter. We will review for information accuracy, consistency, and to ensure your ETD meets the formatting requirements described below. There are three required sections (pages) that must be included at the beginning of your manuscript: 1) Title Page, 2) Copyright Page, 3) Abstract. Templates for these sections are provided below.

Apart from these first three pages, the Graduate School does not adhere to any specific formatting or publishing requirements unless explicitly stated by the ProQuest Author Guide: Preparing Your Manuscript for Submission (provided below). You should refer to the citation, formatting, and style specifications of your discipline and the guidance of your supervisory committee.  Note: theses and dissertations must be submitted in PDF format.

For a complete overview of the graduation process, please review  Preparing to Graduate .

Required Sections:

  • Must include all items listed in the sample title page and placed in the same order
  • May be the first or second page of your document
  • Title of document
  • Author’s Full Name
  • Name of degree as it will appear on your diploma
  • Year of graduation
  • Names of chair/committee members (do not include signatures or professional titles, e.g. Dr. or PhD, before/after faculty names)
  • Program authorized to offer degree (school or department)
  • Name and year must match title pages
  • List the year of graduation
  • Place abstract after copyright and title page

Master’s Thesis Approval Form:

You are required to upload a completed and signed Master’s Thesis Approval Form into the UW ETD Administrator (ProQuest) site; the Approval Form is part of your ETD submission. This Approval Form is a separate PDF and should not be included as a page in the thesis or dissertation itself.

  • Master’s Thesis Approval Form

Electronic Doctoral Dissertation Approval:

Final Exams scheduled after March 3, 2020 include a link for Reading Committee Members to approve the dissertation online at MyGrad Committee View.

ETD Formatting Resources:

  • Thesis/Dissertation Formatting Checklist  – a quick reference guide of the formatting do’s and don’ts provided below.
  • ProQuest Dissertation Publishing — Author Guide: Preparing Your Manuscript for Submission
  • ProQuest Online Submission FAQs
  • Master’s Thesis Title Page – Fillable PDF Template 
  • Doctoral Dissertation Title Page – Fillable PDF Template
  • Word Templates  – Alex Mamishev, Professor in Electrical Engineering maintains a Word file that other students may find useful when formatting their document.

Common ETD Formatting Revisions Requested

To ensure timely graduating, take some time before you submit to review this information and ProQuest’s document formatting guidelines. These are all common errors and revisions the Graduate School will request when reviewing ETD formatting. You will be required to resubmit if revisions are needed. Be precise, and consistent as you format your document.  Many formatting errors result from following a fellow or former student’s example, so it’s important to review the most current templates and guidelines.

Title Page, Copyright Page, Abstract

Language requirement.

Your document must be written in English ( policy 1.1.4.3 ). If you need to write your document in another language to accommodate the main audience, you must get prior approval to do so by  submitting a petition the dean via MyGrad . If the petition is approved, the required sections (title page, copyright page, abstract) must still be written in English.

Plagiarism is using words, ideas, diagrams, and other content from publicly available work without appropriately acknowledging the sources of these materials. This definition constitutes plagiarism whether it is intentional or unintentional and whether it is the work of another or your own, previously published work.

Plagiarism is a very serious offense that the University of Washington does not tolerate. Evidence of plagiarism may prevent granting of your degree.

Submitting and Publishing

Submitting for dissemination and access.

The Graduate School and the Libraries require that all UW theses and dissertations be submitted electronically for management efficiency, cost control, ease of dissemination, and long-term preservation reasons. In addition, your ETD must eventually be made available openly on the web. Your ETD will be hosted in both UW’s institutional repository,  ResearchWorks , and in  ProQuest’s ETD Database .  Consequently, you will need to indicate your choices in two sections about how your ETD is made available. Most students choose to make their work available immediately, but you can choose to limit access  temporarily  before making it available openly.

Students may restrict access to their theses and dissertations…

  • while seeking to publish journal articles or books based on them,
  • to protect intellectual property during the patent application process, or
  • to prevent the disclosure of sensitive or classified information.

During the submission process, you will select ProQuest and ResearchWorks (Institutional Repository, or IR) publication options. The options are summarized on a table below, followed by selected scenarios to assist you in making your decisions.

IMPORTANT: The metadata describing your ETD, including the citation and abstract, is openly available  immediately— regardless of the embargo or restriction status. This information is searchable by Google, Bing and other search engines, so take care that neither the descriptive information nor the text contain confidential or sensitive information.

Selecting Access Options

Selected etd access scenarios.

The UW Libraries and the Graduate School are committed to the goal of sharing graduate students’ research as soon and as widely as possible, while allowing students to temporarily limit access to their theses and dissertations for such reasons as to support formal publication in journal article or book form or to allow time for filing patents. Below are some examples of how students may wish to use these options to support their publishing or intellectual property-protection goals.

Discussion of Scenarios

  • Journal Article Publishing. In recent years graduate students – especially in scientific, medical and technical fields — have increasingly been publishing results of their research in journals.
  • The “Research Article” Dissertation. In some disciplines students may be expected to publish 2 or more journal articles during the course of their studies and submit them as the core of their thesis or dissertation — along with an introduction, literature review, and conclusions. Because this has become so common, most journals now permit authors to immediately republish their articles within their theses or dissertations as long as they provide the full article citation and a statement that an article is being “reprinted with permission” of the journal. However, some other journals allow the practice but require that an article not appear on an open access basis before a delay of 6 or 12 months. The Libraries strongly suggests that students become familiar with the policies in place at the journals in which they would like to publish their work, and choose appropriate access restrictions if needed when they submit their ETD’s.
  • Book Publishing. Some students in such humanities and social science disciplines as history and political science may hope to publish a revised version of their dissertation as their first book. As they consider that possibility they may be concerned they might undermine their prospects by making their dissertations widely available via ProQuest and/or on an open access basis.Before deciding whether or for how long to limit access to their work based on these concerns, The Libraries recommends students become familiar with the arguments and evidence put forward on these issues. For example, Cirasella and Thistlethwaite 3 and Courtney and Kilcer 4 provide excellent discussions of issues and review recent literature, while William Germano’s classic From Dissertation to Book 5 and Beth Luey’s Revising Your Dissertation 6 offer important insight into what might be involved during the dissertation revision process. While the Libraries recommends that most students hoping to publish their dissertations as books make them widely available while they work toward that goal, they should feel free to consider choosing otherwise, such as “Immediate Access” for ProQuest and limiting to UW for five years – at the end of which students may request additional time.
  • Patent Protection Strategies. Students whose theses or dissertations describe work for which patent protection might be appropriate should contact Jesse Kindra at CoMotion ( [email protected] or 206 616-9658) prior to submitting their work to ProQuest and choosing access restrictions. Depending on the circumstances, a student may choose to completely withhold access for one year, but should recognize that doing so will prevent anyone else at the UW from having access to it during the restricted access period. To exercise this option, students should delay releasing their work to ProQuest for 1 or 2 years, and then choose “No access for 1 year, then make Open Access” from the Institutional Repository (IR) Publishing Options menu for the UW copy. In unusual circumstances, requests for access to be withheld an additional year may be considered. To make such a request, students should describe the reason(s) for it in an email to [email protected] prior to expiration of the original embargo period.

1 Marisa L. Ramirez, Joan T. Dalton, Gail McMillan, Max Read and Nancy H. Seamans, “Do Open Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Social Sciences and Humanities,” College and Research Libraries 74 (July 2013): 368‐80, http://crl.acrl.org/content/74/4/368.full.pdf+html .

2 Marisa Ramirez, Gail McMillan, Joan T. Dalton, Ann Hanlon, Heather S. Smith and Chelsea Kern, “Do Open Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Sciences?” College and Research Libraries 75 (November 2014): 808-21, http://crl.acrl.org/content/75/6/808.full.pdf+html .

3 Jill Cirasella and Polly Thistlethwaite, “Open Access and the Graduate Author: A Dissertation Anxiety Manual,” pp. 203-224 in Open Access and the Future of Scholarly Communication: Implementation (Kevin L. Smith and Katherine A. Dickson, eds.: Rowman and Littlefield, 2017), http://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_pubs/286/ .

4 Kyle K. Courtney and Emily Kilcer, “From Apprehension to Comprehension: Addressing Anxieties about Open Access to ETD’s,” pp. 225-244 in Open Access and the Future of Scholarly Communication: Implementation (Kevin L. Smith and Katherine A. Dickson, eds.: Rowman and Littlefield, 2017).

5 William Germano. 2013. From Dissertation to Book, 2d. ed. : University of Chicago Press.

6 Beth Luey (ed.). 2008. Revising Your Dissertation: Advice from Leading Editors. University of California Press.

Publishing Agreements

When you submit your ETD for review and publication, you will be required to read and accept two separate publishing agreements. You will also have to decide whether to publish your work right away or to delay its release. Additional pages within this section will outline all the considerations to keep in mind, when deciding how to make your work available to the scholarly community.

All students writing a thesis or dissertation should review the UW Libraries Copyright Research Guide . Understanding copyright law is another critical aspect as you write your thesis or dissertation.  As you compose your work, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Have you referenced others’ work? If so, you either need to get explicit permission from the rights holder or to determine that your use is Fair.
  • Have you previously published any part of the work? If you’ve signed your copyright over to your publisher, you will need permission to use your material in your thesis.

Ordering Paper Copies

There are no required fees , although you have the option to register your copyright via ProQuest for a fee. If you want to order bound (paper) copies of your document, you may do so through the UW Copy Centers or through ProQuest. Questions should be directed to the UW Copy Centers or to ProQuest at 1.800.521.0600 ext. 77020 — available 8 a.m.–5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. holidays).

Frequently Asked Questions

I created an account in the etd administrator site, but i’m not ready to submit my etd. can i come back to my account later.

Yes. If you need to finish your submission later (for instance, if you need to update your PDF file before uploading it), you can save your information and come back to finish. No information will be lost.

I submitted my ETD but would like to make an edit to the document. How can I edit my submission?

Once your thesis/dissertation is submitted, no additional changes to the document are allowed with the exception of a major data error in the document. In this circumstance, a letter outlining the necessary changes is required from your supervisory committee chair.

What will the Graduate School be reviewing after I submit my ETD?

Submissions are reviewed by GEMS advisors for formatting requirements for the three required sections — title page, copyright page, abstract — before they are delivered to ProQuest for publication. We are checking for accuracy and consistency. Refer to the Formatting Guidelines section on this page for detailed information.

I submitted my ETD and haven't heard anything yet. When will it be reviewed?

We try to review all ETDs as they are received, but if you submit early in the quarter it may not be acted on immediately. If you need to confirm completion of your degree requirements to an external agency or employer, please access the request for letter of certification in the forms section of our Additional Resources page (once your degree has posted to your UW transcript, we can no longer issue this letter). In general, ETDs are reviewed in the last two to three weeks before the quarter ends and after the last day of the quarter. When your submission has been accepted by a GEMS advisor, you will receive email confirmation.

How can I tell if my ETD was submitted and received by the Graduate School?

When your ETD is successfully submitted and pending review, the status will read “submission in review.”

When will my ETD be made available for access?

This depends on the type of access restrictions you selected when creating your account. However, your submission will be delivered to ProQuest for publishing four to six weeks after graduation and you will receive email confirmation when this has occurred. It should be available in UW ResearchWorks around the same time.

When will the printed dissertation / thesis copies I ordered from ProQuest be ready?

After you receive the email confirmation that UW has “delivered” your submission (ETD) to ProQuest, you should please refer to the ProQuest customer service guidelines for the expected delivery date of your order.

What if I am missing a faculty signature for my thesis or dissertation, or I have encountered difficulties in uploading my ETD? Must I pay the graduate registration waiver fee and graduate in the following quarter?

If you encounter these types of situations, contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services (206.685.2630 or  [email protected] ) as early as possible and no later than the last day of the quarter in which you intend to graduate.

Additional Resources

  • Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) Guide  (start here!)
  • Copyright and Fair Use
  • Open Access
  • Scholarly Publishing
  • ProQuest/UMI Agreement — Traditional Publishing Agreement
  • University Agreement — UW Libraries Thesis and Dissertation Submission Agreement
  • UW Human Subjects Division (HSD)
  • UW CoMotion

The Graduate School logo

Thesis & Dissertation Filing

The University of Maryland, College Park has entered into an agreement with Proquest Information and Learning Services to accept theses and dissertations in Adobe PDF format via the Web. The university accepts 99% of all dissertations and theses in electronic form.

The submission process is as follows:

  • After your defense, you submit your thesis or dissertation document directly to Proquest’s University of Maryland  Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) website .
  • The Office of the Registrar then evaluates your document online for formatting and legibility, according to the standards set forth in the  Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide . If corrections are needed, you will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar detailing what needs to be done.
  • Once you make all your necessary formatting corrections, the Office of the Registrar will accept the document and begin the graduation clearance process.
  • After this process is complete, the Office of the Registrar “delivers” the documents officially to Proquest, who logs, indexes, and publishes them on  Digital Dissertations , a nationwide clearinghouse of theses and dissertations, to which the vast majority of US theses and dissertations are submitted.
  • The Office of the Registrar also delivers thesis and dissertation documents to the university's  Digital Repository at the University of Maryland  (DRUM) for online publication. DRUM is an open-access archive that is accessible by everyone.

Visit the  Academic Deadlines section  to see the Graduate School's deadlines for thesis and dissertation submission. These deadlines indicate the date by which your academically complete document must be submitted to the system.  Any formatting changes requested by the Office of the Registrar can be made based on an evaluation of selected components within your submission. Requested changes must be made by the communicated deadline from the Office of the Registrar to ensure approval of clearance for the applied semester. 

Style Guide

The Graduate School’s requirements for all theses and dissertations are detailed in the  ETD Style Guide . The guide also the ETD submission process and includes a section on formatting the document with Microsoft Word. It is important that students consult this document prior to beginning the ETD process.

Special Cases

The departments listed below have special requirements for electronic theses and dissertations. Please consult the ETD Style Guide for more information and requirements.

  • The Department of Art
  • The Department of Art History and Archaeology
  • The School of Music
  • School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

Template for Microsoft Word

These are beta versions of documents intended to assist students in completing their thesis or dissertation at the University of Maryland. The template comes pre-formatted to Graduate School standards; the template Instructions offer detailed assistance on using the documents. If you would like to use the Template / Instructions, please download it and email any feedback to  [email protected] . Your comments are welcomed and encouraged; the Graduate School wants to make the Thesis / Dissertation process as user-friendly as possible.

Template Instructions Full Template for Dissertations Lite Template for Dissertations Full Template for Theses Lite Template for Theses

Template for LaTex

This document was created by the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics. Like the MS Word template, the document comes pre-formatted to the standards set forth in the Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide.

Thesis and Dissertation Template For LaTex

Doctoral Student Surveys

The Graduate School requires that doctoral students complete two surveys prior to graduation.  Learn more about these surveys here .

Third-Party Access to Dissertation

Prior to 2010, ProQuest offered doctoral students the option of allowing third parties to acquire the students’ dissertations. Because there was no restriction on whether or not the third party could sell the dissertation, some third parties, such as Amazon, have been doing so.

If you published your dissertation prior to 2010 and would not like third parties to have the ability to acquire your dissertation, you must contact ProQuest via email at  [email protected]  and request that your dissertation (which is under copyright to you) be restricted from sales to third parties. You should expect to receive a response from ProQuest within 48 hours.

If you published your dissertation in 2010 or later, you do not need to worry about this issue. ProQuest stopped offering this option in 2010.

Corrections to Theses and Dissertations

Once submitted to the Digital Repository at the University of Maryland ( DRUM ), the body of a thesis or dissertation may not be changed. Students may, however, request that a dated addendum be appended to their original thesis or dissertation document.

To add an addendum, students must submit:

  • A written request to the Graduate School ( [email protected] ) to add an addendum to the thesis or dissertation document currently in DRUM. 
  • The request should include the proposed addendum and a letter of support from the thesis or dissertation chair. The letter of support should confirm that the addendum does not substantively change the content of the document and that all members of the thesis or dissertation committee are aware of the submitted addendum.
  • For corrections that arise from the process to review concerns under the University’s policy on scholarly misconduct , the Graduate School will collaborate with the Office of Faculty Affairs on the proper resolution before a thesis or dissertation addendum will be posted. Thesis and dissertation chairs, committee members, and students must adhere to the policy’s reporting requirements if there is a concern that a thesis or dissertation may require correction as a result of such misconduct. 
  • With the written approval from the Graduate School, the thesis or dissertation author should send the proposed addendum and Graduate School approval to the Libraries ( [email protected] ) to upload the addendum.

Students who wish to add an addendum to their document on the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global Database must contact ProQuest directly at  [email protected]  for procedures and fees.

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="masters thesis submission"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Thesis & dissertation.

Student writing

  Understanding Deadlines and Requirements

The final requirement in earning a graduate degree is the completion and defense of the master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. Understanding the steps and associated deadlines in the thesis/dissertation submission and degree conferral process is necessary to establish a successful plan and realistic timeframe. 

2023 Thesis/Dissertation Submission to the Graduate School Deadlines:

  • December 31, 2023 conferral, deadline is December 1.

2024 Thesis/Dissertation Submission to the Graduate School Deadlines:

  • For May 26, 2024 conferral, deadline is May 1.
  • For August 31, 2024 conferral, deadline is August 1.
  • December 31, 2024 conferral, deadline is December 1.

See our  Planning Timeline  for more detailed information.

  Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation

The Graduate School offers several writing resources to help you get started, meet your goals, and complete your thesis/dissertation on time. 

Before You Begin:

  • Guide to Writing Your Thesis/Dissertation
  • Fields Permitting the Use of Papers Option
  • Required Sections, Guidelines, and Suggestions
  • Formatting Requirements
  • Fair Use, Copyright, Patent, and Publishing Options

Resources for Writing:

  • Thesis & Dissertation Templates
  • Writing from A to B

  Scheduling and Taking Your Final Exam

Once you have submitted your draft thesis/dissertation to your committee you are ready to defend. This involves scheduling and taking your final exam (“B” exam), an oral exam/dissertation defense for Ph.D. candidates, or (“M” exam), an oral exam/thesis defense for Master’s candidates.

  • About Exams
  • Defending Your Thesis or Dissertation
  • Taking Exams

 Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation

Policy requires the thesis/dissertation be submitted within 60 days of the final exam. The Graduate School uses a service called ProQuest to administer the electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) submission and committee approval process. Once you have made any necessary revisions and the thesis/dissertation is final, you are ready to begin the approval and submission process.

Before initiating the submission process, students are required to complete complete an ORCID iD and complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates.

  • Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID iD)
  • Survey of Earned Doctorates 
  • Thesis & Dissertation Submission Process
  • Submission Fees
  • Graduation Requirements 

masters thesis submission

  • Dean of the Graduate School
  • PhD Program Characteristics
  • Graduate Events
  • Graduate Degrees awarded at USC
  • Fellowships
  • Guidelines and Forms
  • Student Resources

Required Documents

Submission deadlines, guidelines to submission, manuscript formatting guidelines.

  • Fellowships for PhD Students
  • Scholarships for Masters Students
  • Academic Support, Professional Development and Diversity Inclusion Programs

Thesis & Dissertation Submission

Thesis / dissertation submission.

Information about the thesis and dissertation submission process can be found by navigating the topics below. The Academic Services Coordinator can be contacted via email at: [email protected]

Thesis/Dissertation Submission

The PhD dissertation represents independent scholarly work that makes an original contribution to knowledge. It is a demonstration that the PhD candidate has achieved  sufficient mastery in the field to pursue independent research and scholarship. A dissertation for a professional doctorate or a master’s thesis represents advanced scholarly work in keeping with the standards of the field.

Continuous Enrollment

When a program requires a dissertation or thesis, registration in dissertation or thesis coursework is required for at least two semesters. Enrollment in 594 Master’s Thesis or 794 Doctoral Dissertation ensures continuous enrollment until the thesis or dissertation has been submitted to the Graduate School. Degrees will be awarded in the semester in which all requirements have been met, including approval of the final version of the thesis or dissertation and submission of supporting documents with authorized signatures. Documents are processed and manuscripts are read in the order received.

Thesis and Dissertation Guide

  • « Thesis & Dissertation Resources
  • The Graduate School Home

pdf icon

  • Introduction
  • Copyright Page
  • Dedication, Acknowledgements, Preface (optional)
  • Table of Contents
  • List of Tables, Figures, and Illustrations
  • List of Abbreviations
  • List of Symbols
  • Non-Traditional Formats
  • Font Type and Size
  • Spacing and Indentation
  • Tables, Figures, and Illustrations
  • Formatting Previously Published Work
  • Internet Distribution
  • Open Access
  • Registering Copyright
  • Using Copyrighted Materials
  • Use of Your Own Previously Published Materials

Submission Steps

  • Submission Checklist
  • Sample Pages

Thesis and Dissertation Guide

IV. Submission

A Checklist and Sample Pages are provided at the end of this Guide. To expedite the submission process, your work must conform to these guidelines before you submit your document electronically . Please take time before submission to review and comply with these guidelines. You will be required to resubmit your document if revisions are needed, which delays your graduation clearance processing.

Read and follow all information on The Graduate School's Electronic Thesis and Dissertation website.

Completed theses and dissertations must be submitted by the deadlines posted on the Graduation Deadlines website . You are encouraged to submit your document as early as possible to provide ample time for necessary revisions before graduation.

You need to successfully apply to graduate in ConnectCarolina before submitting your document. Your Committee Composition and Exam Report forms (with all approval signatures) should be submitted to The Graduate School before submitting your document.

The time between initial submission and final approval by The Graduate School may also vary due to factors such as proximity to deadlines and your projected graduation date. You will be contacted once your thesis or dissertation has been reviewed by The Graduate School, and you are expected to submit required revisions in a timely manner; please see further details below. Please continue to monitor your email account for notifications until the document is approved.

  • Create an account on the ProQuest submission site . Be sure to use an email address that you check regularly (including your junk/spam folder) to prevent delays in communication that will impact graduation clearance. Once the account is created, you can use it to log in and complete the following steps at any time.
  • Read and review the information on the ProQuest Instructions page to answer any questions that you may have as you prepare to submit your thesis or dissertation.
  • You may convert your document to a PDF a number of ways. You may use the conversion tool provided on the submission site. Other options include using Adobe software (available on campus) or programs and applications such as Microsoft Word 2010 that allow you to print to PDF or save files as a PDF.
  • If converted properly, the conversion to PDF format should not affect the quality of the original document.
  • See the ProQuest submission site PDF FAQs for more information.
  • Review the ProQuest Publishing Options page and select the appropriate publishing options for you. For more information about publishing options, see the section on Distribution above. Select Save & Continue.
  • Read and agree to the ProQuest Traditional Publishing Agreement .
  • Provide the requested contact information. Be sure to include current, accurate information so that ProQuest and The Graduate School can contact you about your submission. Select Save & Continue.
  • Pay careful attention to capitalization and spelling, as this information will be displayed online exactly as it is entered. The keywords and abstract information that you enter will be used to provide online database access to your thesis or dissertation, so accuracy is important.
  • Please review the section on your Abstract when submitting this information, especially the tips on keywords and word limits.
  • Acceptable media types and information about supplemental files can be found on the ProQuest FAQ page.
  • The Graduate School recommends using common file formats that do not require specialized software to open and use. This will increase the likelihood of readers having ready access to the contents of your supplemental files as they review your entire thesis or dissertation.
  • The Graduate School recommends that you take care to identify supplemental files as your own. If possible, embed your name and document information within the file contents. You are also encouraged to include your name as a part of the file name. When supplemental files are made accessible online, the file name and the specific contents of the file are the only way to identify to whom the work belongs.
  • Electronic file size is limited to 1000 MB total of all files added together. Files can be uploaded in zipped folders.
  • Although the ProQuest submission site discusses mailing in documents with very large supplementary files on a CD, DVD, or USB drive, UNC-Chapel Hill will not accept submissions in this manner.
  • Choose whether or not you would like ProQuest to file a copyright on your behalf. Please see the section on Registering Copyright for more information. Select Save & Continue.
  • Please note The Graduate School cannot take responsibility for your printing job.
  • You may order your copies through the ProQuest site at the time of submission or at a later date.
  • The Print Stop and Copy Center in the UNC Student Stores will also send documents out to a library bindery on behalf of students. The Print Stop handles payments, provides on-campus customer service, and takes care of the shipping and order tracking. For more information, visit the Print Stop on the third floor of Student Stores or call 919-962-7016.
  • You may also find other companies online that offer printing or binding services for theses and dissertations.
  • Pay for any applicable fees with a credit card. Expect your card to be charged after you graduate.
  • Submit your document by selecting the Submit Dissertation/Thesis button.
  • Allow sufficient time for The Graduate School staff to review your document, generally within ten business days of submission. You will be notified via email if revisions are needed, and you must complete all required revisions in a timely manner, usually within 72 hours. Be sure to include an email address that you check regularly in the contact information requested by ProQuest. This email address will be used to contact you with revisions and final approval.
  • Once you receive notice that The Graduate School has accepted the final document, no revisions or re-submissions are accepted.

For more details about submission, please visit The Graduate School's Electronic Thesis and Dissertation site and the Frequently Asked Questions on the ProQuest site.

Previous: Copyrighting

Next: Checklist

  • Faculty & Staff

Clemson University Graduate School

  • About Overview
  • Dean's Welcome
  • Accreditation
  • University Graduate Council
  • Academic Program Self Review
  • Graduate School Development Board
  • Faculty and Staff Resources
  • Advisory Council
  • Award Recipients
  • Contact Us Overview
  • Staff Directory
  • Academics Overview
  • Course Numberings
  • Deadlines for Completing Your Program
  • Theses and Dissertations Overview
  • Formatting Requirements
  • Templates, Links and Tools
  • Defending Your Thesis or Dissertation
  • Converting Your Manuscript
  • Requesting an Embargo
  • Finishing the ETD Process
  • Bound Copies
  • Survey of Earned Doctorates
  • Thesis and Dissertation FAQs
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Forms and Requests Overview
  • External Advisor Request
  • Health Insurance
  • Change of Major
  • Plan of Study
  • Graduation Ceremonies
  • Admissions Overview
  • Find a Program
  • Request Program Information
  • Preparing to Apply Overview
  • Select Your Program and Start Term
  • Supporting Materials
  • International Applicant Admissions
  • Application Fees
  • Admissions FAQ
  • Apply Overview
  • Former and Current Graduate Students
  • Applying as a Non-Degree Seeking Student
  • Choose Application
  • Application Status
  • Newly Accepted Students
  • Cost and Aid Overview
  • Assistantships and Fellowships
  • Professional Development Overview
  • Graduate Center for Transformational Mentorship Overview
  • Meet The Director
  • Faculty Mentor Training
  • Graduate Student Mentor Training
  • See Yourself in Academia and Industry
  • GCTM Resources
  • A2i Overview
  • A2i students
  • 3MT Three Minute Thesis Competition
  • Student Services and Groups Overview
  • Postdoctoral Association
  • Graduate Assistant Training and Benefits Overview
  • GradTeaching
  • Assistantship Policies
  • Assistance Program for Graduate Students
  • Student Groups and Associations Overview
  • Graduate Student and Postdoc Advisory Group
  • Student Support Resources
  • Special Events Overview
  • 3MT Competition
  • Picture a Scientist
  • Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW)
  • Student Health Insurance Plans

Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation

University libraries’ tigerprints etd submission portal.

The Graduate School uses the TigerPrints ETD portal for thesis and dissertation submissions for the format review process as well as for electronic publishing and archiving of your work. Ultimately, your work will be available through the University’s TigerPrints repository.

Do not send your manuscript file directly to the Graduate School’s manuscript reviewer.

When you have defended and finalized your thesis or dissertation manuscript and are ready for review, use the Clemson Libraries’ TigerPrints ETD upload portal. Our publishing service is provided by bepress and Digital Commons . This is a free service; there are no fees required to upload, publish and archive your thesis or dissertation.

Ready to Submit Your Manuscript?

Thesis vs. dissertation submission.

On the TigerPrints portal, look for the buttons that read “Submit Your Thesis” and “Submit Your Dissertation.” While the two academic manuscript terms are used interchangeably at many institutions, Clemson University prefers the term “thesis” for master’s/specialists’ manuscripts and “dissertation” for doctoral manuscripts.

Special Circumstances for Submission

Some programs still require that you order a printed, bound copy of your ETD for the departmental archive. Manuscript Review cannot assist you with bound copy orders.

You can request an embargo , or delay of publication, for certain circumstances like pursuing a patent or meeting the terms of a publishing agreement with a research journal.

You can find more details including copyright information, how to include special characters in metadata and when and how to expect results in our PDF Reference, Step 4: Submit Your Manuscript for Format Review and Publishing (PDF) .

The Next Step:

Finish your etd  .

Your manuscript will either need a few format revisions, or you may be approved without revisions. Either way, you’ll receive email feedback through the Digital Commons interface. Once you receive an email saying your manuscript is accepted, you have completed the process.

masters thesis submission

  • The Graduate School >
  • Succeed at UB >
  • Completing Your Degree >

Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Guidelines

As a requirement for graduation, master’s students who complete a thesis and all PhD and EdD students must electronically submit their thesis/dissertation to the Graduate School via the ETD Administrator site . Master’s theses and doctoral dissertations are stored electronically and accessible in perpetuity through the UB Institutional Repository (UBIR) and ProQuest's dissertations and theses database.

Deadlines and Required Documents

In addition to your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation, submit the following:

  • Doctoral degree recipients surveys  (two surveys required for PhD students only).
  • Embargo form (if requesting delayed release).

Visit the ETD Administrator website to begin.

Required Format for Electronic Thesis & Dissertation

Your thesis/dissertation must adhere to the formatting guidelines detailed below.   Using the ETD Template (although not required) is an easy way to ensure your document is formatted correctly.

Choosing a Style Manual

When beginning to construct your thesis or dissertation, the very first step is to choose the style appropriate to your specific discipline. If you are unsure what style is appropriate, confer with your advisor and/or department. Be sure to follow the chosen style consistently throughout the document. Listed below are websites of a few widely recognized style manuals:

  • American Psychological Association
  • Modern Language Association
  • University of Chicago, Chicago Manual of Style

Creating an Accessible Document

The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to information that is presented online as per UB's Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy . As part of this commitment, university web content must be accessible to everyone, including individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments, with or without the use of assistive technology.

Refer to Microsoft's Accessibility Guide and the UB's ETD Template to help create an accessible document that includes:

  • Alternative text for all visuals, including pictures, graphics and charts.
  • Meaningful hyperlinked text.
  • Logical semantic (heading) structure.
  • Logical table structure with proper table headings.

Formatting the Document

The ETD Template can be used to help format your document. Keep in mind the following:

  • Font Size:  Select fonts between 10 and 12 characters per inch. Smaller or larger fonts are generally too hard to read and should be avoided. Use the same font style and print size throughout the document.
  • Pagination:  The title page is to be  unnumbered,  but should be counted as “page 1”. With the exception of the title page, all of the pages in your document should be numbered, including the principal text, all tables, diagrams, maps, etc. Roman numerals (I, II, III) should be used on the preliminary pages and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) are used on the pages that follow the abstract.
  • Page Numbering Placement:  Generally the page number is placed in the upper right, lower right or bottom center of the page. Regardless of where you place the page numbers, be sure they are consistent throughout the document.
  • Spacing:  Use double-spacing consistently throughout the document, except for long quotations, footnotes and endnotes, which are typically single-spaced. Check your selected style manual for further details on spacing.
  • Blank Pages:  There should be no blank pages in your PDF. If you wish to leave a blank page, it must be labeled as follows: “This Page Intentionally Left Blank”.

The Title Page

The  ETD Template can be used to help format your (required) title page. Keep in mind the following:

  • Do not number the title page. While it is technically Roman numeral i, the number is not displayed on the page itself. 
  • The title page must follow the format in the ETD Template.
  • Be sure to use your department's official name and your full legal name.
  • The title on your manuscript must match the approved title on your M-form.
  • When possible, incorporate word substitutes for formulae and symbols.

Page Order and Page Numbering

The ETD Template can be used to help format your document. Your document should adhere the following prescribed order.

  • Title page (required).
  • Copyright page (required).  The copyright page is required but you are not mandated to file or pay for a copyright. The date of your defense should be listed on the title page and a copyright page follows the title page in the following format. In the center lower third of the page, just above the bottom margin, type the following (*the Roman numeral II is to be centered at the bottom of the page):

                Copyright by             (your name in full)              (the current year)                       (ii)*

  • Dedication and/or acknowledgments pages (optional).  If you decide to have an acknowledgment section, be sure not to omit any members of your committee. While this section is optional, if included, it should be numbered with Roman numerals.
  • Table of contents (required).  The table of contents (TOC) page(s) should also be numbered with Roman numerals. Include the dedication/acknowledgment, abstract and any lists within the TOC. Do not include the title page, the copyright page or the TOC page(s). While a TOC is required, it may follow any format acceptable to your advisor and committee as long as it includes all main divisions and subdivisions within your text and the format is consistent.
  • Lists of tables, figures, illustrations, charts and graphs (optional).  Follow the format used for your TOC. Use a separate page for each type of list. Be sure to number with the appropriate Roman numerals.
  • Abstract (required).  The abstract page should be numbered with the appropriate Roman numeral. An abstract of your thesis or dissertation is required. It should be a succinct and concise narrative description of your work. Briefly state your topic or problem, describe the procedures and methods you used and summarize your findings or conclusions. Do not use tables, graphs or figures in your abstract.
  • Chapters or main divisions of the document (required).  The text should be double-spaced and each page must be numbered consecutively beginning with the number 1. As you turn the content of your research into a professional document, be sure to use a writing style appropriate to your subject and discipline. The document also needs to consistently follow acceptable standards of punctuation, spelling and format. See the "Choose a Style Manual" of this guide for a listing of familiar style manuals. Check with your advisor and department for their recommendation. Be sure chapter titles and subheadings follow your style manual. It is best to include tables or other illustrative materials as necessary in the main body of the document when they are essential to the text.
  • Subheadings. For clarity and flow, it is best not to begin any subheadings or other divisions on separate pages unless the preceding page is filled. If the subheading falls at the very end of a page, move it to the next page unless at least two lines of text can follow the subheading on that page. Be sure to keep subheadings consistent in position and style throughout the document.
  • Footnotes/Endnotes. Place footnotes, if used, at the bottom of the appropriate page, at the end of each chapter or at the end of the document. Refer to the style manual you have chosen. Notes are usually single-spaced. If you group your notes at the end of each chapter, begin them on the first page following the text of that chapter. Also begin the first page in each note section with the heading “Endnotes to Chapter___” or “Notes to Chapter___.”
  • Appendix (if applicable). Appendices are used when you wish to add materials (such as charts, graphs, surveys, etc.) not essential to the text. The appendix is generally placed before the bibliography or references section, and after the last page of the last chapter of text. These pages also need to be numbered. Remember to include a list of appendices in your preliminary pages if you have more than one appendix.
  • Bibliography or references (required). The bibliography or list of references should be single-spaced for each entry and then double-spaced between entries. Group all entries in strict alphabetical order or in another way that seems appropriate to your research and helpful to your readers. Be sure to use the format that is consistent with the format style approved by your advisor and committee. These pages must be numbered as well.

Final Check:  Review your document carefully to be sure it is correctly formatted, that all spelling and grammar is correct, and that the document is totally free of errors. Check that there are no blank pages, omitted paragraphs or missing sections. Be sure the preliminary pages of your document are in the proper order and the pagination is correct.

Converting the Document to a PDF

Electronic submission of your thesis or dissertation in PDF format is mandatory. When you are ready to submit your PDF document, go to the ETD Administrator website .

Write your document as you normally would any other research paper while keeping in mind the following tips on how to format your thesis or dissertation in a PDF-friendly manner, to ensure that your later conversion from MS Word, LaTeX, etc., will go smoothly. Refer to the  ProQuest Support Center  for more tips and helpful hints.

  • Spacing and pagination:  Use tabs instead of a series of spaces to align text. Insert page breaks instead of a series of paragraphs to start a new page. Use section breaks to change the format between pages in the document. Use your preferred software for creating tables of contents and cross-references to ensure that pagination is consistent even if the generation of the PDF file causes the pages to shift slightly. 
  • Fonts:  We recommend using standard fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial. If using unusual fonts, be sure to use embeddable Type 1 or TrueType fonts. 
  • Graphics:  It's best to use EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) files rather than bitmaps, GIFs or JPEG images. Use a high resolution such as 600-dpi. Avoid using graphic editors that are part of a word processor. 
  • Equations:  Microsoft Word users should not use Word's Equation Editor. Instead, use italic Times Roman font and Symbol font, along with superscripts and subscripts to create equations.
  • Orientation:  Portrait, rather than landscape, orientation is preferred. Utilize standard 8 ½” x 11” page size. Avoid including multiple book pages on one single PDF page, as this will diminish appearance and printing quality.
  • Supplemental files (optional):  Supplemental files (images, data, etc.) that are an integral part of the thesis or dissertation, but not part of the full-text should be uploaded along with your PDF during the submission process. Supplemental files should be titled according to the following naming convention: Supplemental_File_Title (i.e., no spaces or punctuation marks in the file name. You may use dashes or underscores).

Need more help?

The ETD Preparation Workshop explains how to properly format your ETD, how to use the ETD Template, tips for creating an accessible document and more.

I submitted my ETD, what's next?

The Graduate School reviews submissions in the order they are received. You'll receive a decision email from [email protected] within one to two weeks.

Decisions  include "accepted" (which requires no additional action by you) or "minor revisions required" (which requires you to complete the outlined revisions). As long as you have submitted your ETD by the published deadline, you have met the deadline.

Approved ETDs are viewable on ProQuest and in the UBIR approximately 10 to 12 weeks after degree conferral (unless an embargo was approved).

Additional Resources

Etd public access and embargo policies.

Per UB's  Public Access of Theses and Dissertations policy , after your degree is awarded, your thesis or dissertation will be delivered to and available in perpetuity through the  UB Institutional Repository (UBIR)  and to ProQuest, where your document will be microfilmed, indexed and stored in  ProQuest’s dissertations and theses database , the world’s largest recognized repository of graduate student research. When you submit your thesis or dissertation as a requirement for conferral of your degree, you are granting a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free perpetual license to the University at Buffalo, as set forth in the Public Access Agreement, which you will sign during the ETD submission process.

If you wish to delay the release of your thesis or dissertation because it contains proprietary data or has patents pending, you must submit an  Request for Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis or Dissertation  to the Graduate School at the time of your ETD submission. Please review the Graduate School's  Embargo (Delayed Release) of Thesis and Dissertation policy  for more information.

Fees Associated With the ETD Submission Process

There is no fee for ETD submission and cataloging through the UBIR.

Traditional publishing through ProQuest is free. If you select the ProQuest Open Access publishing option and/or request that ProQuest file copyright on your behalf, there will be associated fees. Open access publishing is $95, copyright filing is $75. Payments will be made via credit card directly to ProQuest during the online ETD submission process.

ProQuest Publishing Options

For publishing with ProQuest, you may choose traditional publishing or open access publishing.

  • Traditional publishing  gives ProQuest the right to sell copies of your published thesis and to provide you (the author) with royalties from such sales.
  • Open access publishing  provides the broadest means of free and complete access of the thesis or dissertation to students and scholars worldwide. For a comparison of these options, see the  ProQuest Publishing Options Guide .

Copyrighting:  You can choose whether or not to copyright your thesis or dissertation. Copyrighting protects your rights as the author. These rights include the ability to make copies of the work, to distribute them, to make derivative works or to perform or display the work. By copyrighting your thesis or dissertation, you can control the rights to it or may authorize others (i.e., a publisher) to exercise those rights. The copyright will be in effect for your lifetime plus an additional 50 years. You should consult with your advisor and discuss this issue before making your decision.

ProQuest can act as your agent with the Library of Congress Copyright office when your thesis or dissertation is submitted. This is done only if you specifically request such services from ProQuest when you submit your ETD. Please note that it is only mandatory to digitize your thesis or dissertation, while copyrighting is optional. Alternatively, you may apply for copyright registration by filing directly through the  U.S. Copyright Office .

Since theses and dissertations involve considerable effort on the part of the major professor (and sometimes other faculty members) as well as the student, you should make arrangements for publication and/or copyrighting only after consulting with your major professor and committee members.

If you have questions about the ETD submission process or the ETD template, please contact us by phone at 716-645-2939 or by email at [email protected] .

Graduate School home

Digital Submission Requirement

Student reviewing work

Graduating students earning either master’s or doctoral degrees are required to publish their thesis, report, dissertation or treatise digitally and in accordance with certain formatting rules. Students can also request to delay the publication of their thesis, report, dissertation or treatise.

Texas Digital Library (TDL)

Graduating students are required to publish their thesis, report, dissertation or treatise digitally by uploading it to tdl..

The document must be uploaded as a single PDF. Because electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) must be published, if any material contained in your document might require permission from another party for publication, all such permissions must be obtained prior to the submission of the ETD.

It is critical that your submission be complete and correct.

After submission, no revisions or corrections will be allowed except for those required by the graduate dean.

Thesis & Dissertation Submission System

Click the link above to begin your submission.

Technical Support

Texas Digital Library provides support to our members through training, documentation, and a Helpdesk.

ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global

To further promote and preserve the intellectual contributions of its degree recipients, UT Austin is partnering with ProQuest to disseminate its master’s theses/reports and doctoral dissertations through the ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global database, which reaches thousands of institutions and millions of academic researchers worldwide. ProQuest also partners with major search and discipline-specific indexes for additional amplification and provides all of these services free of charge.

By distributing your work with ProQuest, you will increase its visibility and impact within the global research community. ProQuest recognizes the critical importance of embargoes and will never publish a thesis until it has been released for dissemination by UT Austin.

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Information

Further information can be found at this link. If you prefer not to have the full-text version of your thesis disseminated by ProQuest, please contact [email protected] .

The Graduate School offers Microsoft Word templates to assist you in formatting your thesis or dissertation.

Using the Thesis and Dissertation Templates User Guide

Before using a template, review this user guide.

Thesis Templates

Dissertation templates, format guidelines for dissertations, treatises, theses, and reports.

Theses, reports, dissertations, and treatises must follow the guidelines of the Graduate School booklet Format Guidelines for Dissertations, Treatises, Theses, and Reports. A format check is recommended before you submit your completed work. If the format has not been checked prior to submission, it will be checked at the time of submission.

LaTex Document Preparation & Overleaf

LaTex Document Preparation is an approved formatting option by the Graduate School, and Overleaf is designed to make the process of writing, editing and producing scientific papers faster for authors by providing an online LaTeX/Rich Text editor for their projects.

Petition to Write a Thesis, Report or in a Language Other than English

Those who wish to write a thesis, report, dissertation or treatise in a language other than English must petition to do so.

Contact Student Services at [email protected]

Students may request a format check via email.

Additional Formatting Resources

Template workshop.

Watch the video of our Template Workshop via Zoom.

Common Formatting Errors Workshop

Watch the video of our Common Formatting Errors Workshop via Zoom.

iThenticate by Turnitin

Ithenticate.

The University has acquired access to iThenticate by Turnitin that allows you to check your report, thesis, or dissertation to help identify potential textual similarities between your document and other previously published documents.

The Graduate School strongly encourages the use of this tool while preparing drafts of your report, thesis or dissertation, along with discussion of the results of these reviews with your supervisor.

Requests to Delay Publication

Initial request for delay of publication.

If you wish to request a temporary delay of publication of your thesis, report, dissertation, or treatise, you must make this request before graduation. The request should be made by using this form. If no request to delay publication is made, the document will be freely available online.

Note that it is not appropriate to use a delay of publication to avoid securing copyright permissions required for publication. Any required publication permissions must be obtained prior to submitting the ETD. The graduate dean makes the final decision regarding delayed publication.

Restrictions and/or holds on publishing requested from ProQuest do not apply to the dissertation archived at the TDL.

Extension Request for Delay of Publication

Authors who already have an approved delay of publication, but wish to extend the time of the delay, may request an extension (up to seven years from the date of graduation).

Request to End Delay of Publication Prior to Scheduled Date

Authors who have an approved delay of publication, but wish to publish their ETD prior to the date initially requested, may request to end the delay of publication.

Publish a Dissertation Electronically

Request to migrate format of thesis/dissertation at the university of texas libraries.

If your dissertation or thesis was previously published in a printed, bound copy or on CD-ROM, you may request to have it published electronically. Complete the form above to have it uploaded to the UT Digital Repository.

Master's Thesis Submission

Completing and submitting your master’s thesis is an important part of completing your master’s degree. Your thesis must be formatted as prescribed by the Graduate School in the  Guidelines for Master’s Theses and Doctoral Dissertations  (pdf) and electronically submitted through ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst, the university's permanent digital archive for scholarly materials.

  • ScholarWorks : Master’s students at UMass Amherst use ScholarWorks— the UMass Libraries’ permanent digital repository for faculty and student research—to submit theses in accordance with master’s degree requirements. ScholarWorks is indexed by major search engines and is used globally by those who wish to reference scholarship produced by members of the UMass community.
  • You will select a Document Type in ScholarWorks. “Open Access” means that anyone who has Internet access can view, cite, and download your work. “Campus Only Access” restricts the audience to those who have a UMass Amherst NetID and password or who use the Interlibrary Loan service.
  • The Campus Access option will expire after a period of either one year or five years, depending on the term you select. The manuscript will become available automatically via Open Access in ScholarWorks after the Campus Access period has expired.
  • Doctoral candidates and master’s students typically use an Embargo Period only if patent applications or publication contracts are pending.
  • There are three choices for embargo term lengths: six months, one year or five years.
  • If you need an Embargo Period that is longer than one year, you must request a memo from your Graduate Program Director stating that person’s approval for the extension. The memo must be submitted to the Graduate Student Service Center prior to your degree date.
  • Campus Only Access and Embargo Periods are both time-limited. The start date for either or both types of protection is the same as your degree date. If you invoke both, the embargo will supersede the Campus Access control.
  • Document Accessibility:  Consider the global nature of your readership. People who cannot distinguish colors accurately on screen or who have more severe visual impairments need to be able to understand all of your content. Do not let simple formatting choices create barriers for some members of your audience. Producing accessible works for online publication adds to your professionalism and begins with a few simple techniques to apply as you compose your document. Review  six quick tips for making your document accessible .
  • A non-UMass email address that you will continue to use indefinitely after you graduate from UMass Amherst.
  • Your manuscript in PDF format. Be sure to proofread your work before converting to PDF and recheck formatting after converting to ensure that all images and tables are properly positioned. For help with PDF conversions, visit the Learning Commons in the DuBois Library.
  • Any supporting files that you wish to provide as supplemental content, e.g. pictures, audio, video, animations, simulations, etc. Tip: name the files according to how you have referenced them in your manuscript and store them in the same location with your manuscript.
  • Your selection of up to six keywords or phrases to ensure that your work appears in relevant searches.

Global footer

  • ©2024 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use

Rice University is now accepting applications for graduate study for 2024 admission. Click here to apply .

masters thesis submission

Academics | Candidacy & Defense

Thesis submission.

The deadline to submit for December degree conferral has passed. The deadline to submit for the May degree conferral is noon CDT on Friday, April 19, 2024. Be sure to upload your Signed Title Page and Original Approval of Candidacy form at the website here after submitting your thesis through thesis.rice.edu .

Students must submit the final thesis to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies no later than six months from the date of the defense. However, in order to qualify for a specific degree conferral date, the submission deadline for that semester must be met. See the academic calendar for deadlines. The General Announcements has complete information on thesis defense .

Am I ready to submit?

If your thesis is defended but not final (e.g., changes to your thesis are required), within one week, you must follow the steps as described in Part 1 below. Once you have defended and all changes are made, you must then submit your thesis within six months of your defense. Instructions for both scenarios are listed below. If you are ready to submit your thesis within a week of your defense, you may complete all of the steps in both parts at once. If you choose to do this, you'll need to include all of your supplementary documents as described in Part 2. Do not press "submit" until you have reviewed both sets of instructions. Please contact us if you have trouble accessing the thesis site.

How will the new online thesis verification and submission generally work?

  • Once your thesis defense announcement has been registered with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies via events.rice.edu/rgs , it will be posted online by the GPS office, provided it is approved.
  • Thesis Title Page through AdobeSign. Both you and your graduate program administrator will be notified when this is ready. If your committee changes prior to your defense , please ask the department chair, program director, or director of graduate study to notify GPS as soon as possible. The new committee will need to be approved, and we will need to generate a completely new Approval of Candidacy form and Thesis Title Page form to be completed via AdobeSign.
  • On the day of your defense, you should fill out the electronic Original Approval of Candidacy form. It will then go to your committee for signing after your successful defense. Once the committee has signed the Original Approval of Candidacy, the AdobeSign process will come back to you for the next steps.
  • Once your thesis has been approved in its final form, you will return to the AdobeSign form and complete your Thesis Title page. Once completed, it will be sent to your committee again to sign and recognize that your final thesis is approved for submission. Your committee can sign in parallel. Your graduate administrator will receive notifications for every signature and you will receive a notification when the title page has been signed in full. Please contact your graduate administrator if you would like an update on the progress of your thesis title page.
  • When all of the committee members have signed the Thesis Title Page, the GPS office will receive a final copy of the form to be validated when you finalize your thesis defense.

You’ll get notifications in each phase. Once all committee members have signed both forms, you’ll receive a final PDF via email. To prep for upload to thesis.rice.edu , you will need to separate this PDF into two documents. Because the PDF is protected, you’ll follow some specific instructions here (Microsoft) or here - after opening the .pdf using a browser such as Google Chrome (Mac) to do this. To separate the pages of a protected PDF, go to print, then select "Microsoft Word to .pdf" as the printer name. Once you’ve separated the pages into the two documents, upload to thesis.rice.edu as outlined in the processes here .

Once your thesis is final and everything has been verified in thesis.rice.edu , you must fill out the webform here . This replaces what is normally a visit to GPS and Office of the Registrar for final submission.

For tips on how to approach an online thesis defense, click here .

How do I submit?

If your thesis is defended but not complete (e.g., you need to make changes), follow the instructions in Part 1 within one week of your defense.

If your thesis is defended and all changes have been made, submit your thesis using Part 2 below within six months of your defense.

If your thesis is defended and no changes were necessary, complete all of the steps in Part 1 and 2.

Questions? Email [email protected] .

Part 1: Within a week of your defense

  • Navigate to thesis.rice.edu
  • Click "Start your submission"
  • Login with your NetID and password
  • Follow the instructions on the site, using the guides for assistance

Verify that all the information is accurate before moving forward.

Assent to the terms of the agreement by checking the appropriate boxes.

  • Enter your thesis title, graduation date, abstract, and keywords. The information entered here should match the information in your document.
  • Supply the names of your committee members.

If you’ve used the online thesis submission process, once all your committee members have signed virtually, you will receive the PDF of the Original Approval of Candidacy form. Print this form, digitally separate the two pages and upload them to thesis.rice.edu:

  • The Original Approval of Candidacy is uploaded as an administrative file, and
  • The defended version of the manuscript is uploaded as the "Manuscript in PDF".
  • The title page should not be signed or submitted until the advisor confirms that the thesis is in its final form and ready to submit.

For guidelines on supplemental files, please click here .

  • Confirm that your information is correct and click the "Confirm and Submit Button".
  • This initial submission (Part 1) is not final. Your submission will be sent to GPS for an initial review. You will still be able to edit your submission, thesis, and uploaded documents following the GPS review, typically within two business days.
  • If you need to make changes to your submission at this point, do not start a new submission. Contact [email protected] to have your thesis status changed so you can make edits.
  • Once GPS acknowledges your defense, your status will be changed to "Defended, Not Final." Please review the thesis format guidelines if you have not already done so prior to submitting the final copy of your thesis.
  • Within six months of your defense, you must upload and submit the final copy of your thesis and all supplemental documents. This is Part 2. Once you submit a final copy of your thesis and your signatures have been received, and you’ve completed the required electronic Thesis Submission webform (see Part 2), you will not be permitted to alter your thesis.
  • Please make all corrections prior to submitting your thesis. The online webform referenced above replaces the visit to GPS and the Office of the Registrar.

Part 2: Changes made, ready to submit

Please note all thesis and administrative files must be PDFs.

  • Create a single PDF of your thesis, including the signed electronic Thesis Title Page form. Please review the thesis format guidelines if you have not already done so.
  • Separate your electronic Original Approval of Candidacy.
  • Doctoral only: complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates and create PDF of the certificate you'll receive upon completion.
  • Open http://thesis.rice.edu in your web browser.
  • Select "Start your submission."
  • Login with your Rice NetID and password.
  • If you have already started a submission previously, select the action "Edit" or "Continue" to continue a previous submission. Otherwise, select "Start a new submission."

If any of the information is incorrect or needs to be updated, email [email protected] .

  • Upload defended and corrected copy of your thesis as your primary document. This action will archive the defended version.
  • You must include your signed electronic Thesis Title Page form as the first page of your final version of your thesis.

Upload the following required documents as ADMINISTRATIVE FILES:

  • Your signed Original Approval of Candidacy
  • Survey of Earned Doctorates Certificate (Doctoral only)
  • Supplemental files are optional and may include non-PDF materials, such as videos, that complement your thesis.

Add a note here if there have been any changes in your thesis submission data.

  • Complete the webform here . This replaces what is normally a visit to GPS and the Office of the Registrar for final submission.
  • GPS will review the thesis submission and sign the form accordingly.
  • You'll receive the form back as a receipt once complete.
  • GPS will also sign the Original Approval of Candidacy form, and you and your graduate program administrator will receive a copy.
  • The thesis will be published with the electronic title page if there are no embargoes.

Updated November 2023

Catholic University Logo

Graduate Studies

Student using a desktop computer to write

  • Online Master's and Licentiate Thesis Submission Guidelines
  • Master's and Licentiate Students
  • Master's and Licentiate Forms
  • Online Master's and Licentiate Thesis Submission FAQ
  • Program Guidelines
  • Thesis Handbook

Introduction to ETD Submissions

The Catholic University of America requires ETD submission for all theses, doctoral dissertations, treatises, and evidence-based projects.

Overview of the Submission Process

For a presentation showing the step-by-step procedure for submitting your ETD, please click here .

You must be in contact with the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies at [email protected] , to complete the deposit process BEFORE the University deadline as posted on the Academic Calendar.

  • The final deadline to deposit for summer 2023 graduation is Friday, July 28, 2023 .
  • The final deadline to deposit for fall 2023 graduation is Friday, December 8, 2023 .
  • The final deadline to deposit for spring 2024 graduation is Friday, April 26, 2024 .

Formatting Requirements

Please be sure to consult the Master's and Licentiate Thesis Handbook for complete information on the formatting requirements from ProQuest and the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies. This handbook is updated yearly to reflect changes made by the Graduate Studies office, ProQuest, and the Mullen Library.

Creating an Adobe PDF file:

To create a PDF, you can follow this link from Adobe (using Adobe CreatePDF), or this link from the University of Cambridge for further direction and guidance.

Combining multiple Word documents into one complete Adobe PDF document:

If your submission consists of multiple documents (such as a Word or WordPerfect file, graphics, spreadsheets, etc.), it is best to consolidate them first in one document, and then print that one document as a PDF document.

Students in the past have found that this process of using multiple files works best when facing the challenge of numbering pages according to the Master's and Licentiate Thesis Handbook . By saving a manuscript as individual files for the abstract, chapter one, chapter two, bibliography, appendix, etc., the student-writer can adjust page numbers and page location with ease, without having to adjust the entire text time after time. Just be sure to keep everything in order as you write!

If you are not able to consolidate the files before creating the PDF file, it is possible to combine the multiple PDF files using the commands in Adobe Acrobat. The administrator of the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies will not be able to make corrections or comments on multiple PDF files, so it is essential to send only one completed file.

  • Open the main PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
  • Go to the page where you want to insert the additional page or pages.
  • Choose "Insert Pages" from the Document menu.
  • Select and open the PDF file that contains the pages to be inserted.
  • Verify the settings in the dialog to be sure that you are inserting the pages in the correct location. If the settings are correct, click OK.

For Microsoft Word tutorials, visit the Word training website.

Completing the Thesis Submission Process: ETD@CUA

As part of the thesis deposit, students must complete the ETD@CUA Submission Licensing Statement . This form must be completed by the student before the deposit is considered complete. If you have questions surrounding ETD@CUA, please consult the ETD@CUA website from the Mullen Library or  contact the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean of Graduate Studies .

Frequently Asked Questions on Online Submissions

If you have any further questions concerning online submissions, ProQuest, and ETD@CUA, feel free to follow the following links:

  • The Catholic University of America Copyright Information
  • The Catholic University of America Explanation of Licenses and Copyrights
  • The ETD@CUA Submission Licensing Statement
  • ProQuest Online Submission Frequently Asked Questions
  • Copyright and Your Dissertation or Thesis: Ownership, Fair Use, and Your Rights and Responsibilities

Graduate Education

  • Prospective Students
  • Prospective International Students
  • Blended Degrees
  • Master's Degree Programs
  • Graduate Certificate Programs
  • Current Students
  • Steps to Graduation & Forms
  • Continuous Enrollment
  • Graduate Writing Requirement
  • Master's Thesis
  • Admissions Appeals
  • Handbook, Policies & Guidelines
  • Financial Opportunities
  • CSU/External Scholarships
  • California Predoctoral Program
  • Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program
  • Graduate Assistant Fellowships
  • Tuition Waivers
  • Graduate Conference Award
  • Graduate Research Award
  • Graduate Equity Fellowship
  • State University Grants
  • Campus Resources
  • Orientation
  • Undocumented Student Resources
  • Graduate Program Coordinators
  • Graduate Recognition
  • Staff Profiles

Home : Master‘s Thesis

Master's Thesis Formatting Guidelines

Master's thesis templates.

  • Master's Thesis Formatting Template - (Mac)
  • Master's Thesis Formatting Template - (PC)
  • Master's Thesis Formatting Template - (LaTeX)

These formatting templates are merely available for your convenience. You are not required to use these formatting templates, and you should only use one of these templates if you are familiar with the template format. If you choose to use one of the .doc/.docx templates listed above, you are assuming responsibility for the functionality of the template.

Master’s Thesis Submission Process

Final approval of your thesis involves committee approval for content and Graduate Education Office approval for format. If your Master’s program requires a thesis, your degree work will not be complete and you will not graduate until the Graduate Education Office has approved your thesis.

The following materials must be submitted to the Graduate Education Office by the following dates if you wish to be considered eligible to graduate in the specified quarter:

  • Master's Culminating Experience Approval (E-Form)
  • Digital Archiving Receipt
  • .pdf copy of the thesis uploaded to Digital Commons (with all content edits completed)

Summer 2023

September 1, 2023

December 15, 2023

Winter 2024

March 22, 2024

Spring 2024

June 14, 2024

Summer 2024

September 6, 2024

The quarter in which all corrections are completed is the quarter of graduation if all other academic requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduate Student Application for Graduation (visit Steps to Graduation & Forms for specific dates to complete this form).

The diploma is ordered through the Cal Poly University Store .

An optional step is having one or more paper copies of your thesis bound for your own use. You can contact binding vendors, such as HF Group’s online Thesis On Demand binding service directly. The Kennedy Library no longer requires deposit of bound copies.

Step by Step Submission Process

Beginning November 1, 2008, students submitting Master’s theses are required to submit their work in electronic format to Cal Poly’s DigitalCommons. Please contact the Graduate Education Office at (805) 756-2328 for information on the submission and review of theses. All of the electronic theses will be made publicly available on the DigitalCommons @ CalPoly .

Download Thesis Guide

Download the Electronic Thesis Style and Format Guide

All theses must be in compliance with the Master's Thesis Formatting Guidelines set forth by the Graduate Education Office.

Approval Form

Submit: Master's Culminating Experience Approval (E-Form) .

  • Complete the front and back of the form, including the Student Agreement Section.
  • After your defense, collect your thesis committee approval signatures. Consult with your thesis committee about what option of electronic access you would like to select for your thesis.
  • If you and your committee agree to place a restriction on your thesis for patent or security reasons, you must indicate this restriction on your Master's Culminating Experience Approval.
  • If you opt to restrict access, your thesis will not be viewable or accessible for a period of one year or three years.
  • After the one-year or three-year restriction expires, your thesis will be made publicly available by the Graduate Education Office. Kennedy Library will provide access to the documents by creating a bibliographic record in the library catalog. A link to the document will be available through the library’s online card catalog.

Cashier's Receipt (Digital Archiving Receipt)

Pay the $56 Digital Archiving (Master's Thesis) fee online through My Cal Poly Portal.

  • Login to My Cal Poly Portal.
  • Select the Money Matters tab
  • Select the Make a Payment Now button
  • Once redirected to Student Accounts Transact page, scroll down and select "View all" next to "Available items"
  • Select the "Senior Project & Master Thesis Fees"
  • Pay the $56 Digital Archiving (Master's Thesis) fee and email a copy of your receipt to [email protected]

Please note that your Master's Culminating Experience Approval Form (E-Form) will not be processed until our office receives your receipt.

Upload Thesis

Upload electronic Master’s thesis to the DigitalCommons @ CalPoly (Formatting Review Requirement)

Submit your electronic thesis to DigitalCommons@CalPoly, a digital archive for the University. Download student instructions on how to upload (PDF) .

Once your thesis has been uploaded to Digital Commons and your completed Master's Culminating Experience Approval has been submitted to the Graduate Education Office, the thesis editor will check your document for formatting and style according to the standards set forth in the Master’s Thesis Formatting Guidelines. If corrections are needed, you will receive a memo by email from the thesis editor detailing what needs to be done. Once you make all your necessary formatting corrections, the thesis editor will ask you to upload your FINAL revised document to Digital Commons.

All thesis content edits must be completed before your document is uploaded to Digital Commons; content edits cannot be made once the thesis editor has begun reviewing your document for formatting and style. Your thesis is not considered complete until all content edits have been addressed.

Document Made Public

Document is made public on the DigitalCommons@CalPoly site

After the thesis editor approves your document, the Graduate Education Office will “post” your thesis/ project report to the DigitalCommons, making it publicly accessible to anyone on the web. You will receive an automatically generated congratulatory email to let you know your thesis has been published. Robert E. Kennedy Library will create a bibliographic record in the library catalog. Paper versions will not be collected by Kennedy Library.

Degree Posting

Provided you have submitted your thesis by the corresponding quarter deadline posted above, as well as met all of your program’s requirements, you will still be considered a graduate of the quarter in which you submitted it (even if the thesis formatting review extends beyond the deadline).

Once the Graduate Education Office has signed your form, if you would like to check on the status of your degree, we recommend contacting the Office of Evaluations at [email protected] .

  • Office: Building 52, Room D-27
  • How to Apply
  • University Home
  • My Cal Poly Portal
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Campus Safety

Privacy Notice  |  Website Feedback  |  Web Accessibility Statement  |  Title IX  |  Campus Annual Security Report  |  Campus Safety Plan PDF Reader

masters thesis submission

Thesis & Dissertation Preparation & Submission

Rock Climbing

Old Dominion University requires a dissertation from all doctoral candidates and a thesis from all thesis option master's candidates. The thesis/dissertation should be presented in a scholarly, well-integrated, properly documented manner, which reports the original work done by the student under the supervision of the advisory committee.

This Guide for Preparation of Theses and Dissertations has been authorized by the Graduate Administrators Council of Old Dominion University to assist graduate students and their committee members in the preparation of theses and dissertations. The primary purpose of this manual is to provide uniform standards regarding style and format while allowing enough flexibility to satisfy the acceptable practices of each academic discipline. The word "thesis" will be used in reference to general instructions equally applicable to all theses and dissertations. "Journal model" will be used in reference to general style instructions.

Presentation

The finished work must reflect a comprehensive understanding of the pertinent literature and express in clear and legible English the method, significance, and results of the student's research. Full documentation and appropriate tabular and/or graphic presentation are especially important. The completed manuscript should be no longer than is necessary to present all pertinent information. The length will vary widely according to research topic, academic discipline, and the degree sought.

The thesis should be presented as a single unit; continuity from chapter to chapter is important. Several studies or experiments may be presented in separate chapters or major sections. Continuity in the thesis is provided by common Abstract, Introduction, Conclusion, and Reference sections. Each study or experiment may have subdivisions such as Introduction, Materials and Methods, Discussion, and Summary. The thesis may have only one Abstract and one Reference section; a study or experiment cannot have a separate Abstract or Reference section.

Each graduate program maintains an approved list of journal styles and/or accepted style manuals. The style specifications for the thesis should be approved during the preparation of the research proposal, and the appropriate instructions should be cited in the graduate student's permanent file.

The journal will be followed for:

  • placement of table titles
  • placement of figure titles
  • reference format

Whenever there are differences in format and layout between the specifications of this Guide for Preparation of Theses and Dissertations and the journal model, this guide overrules the journal. Consistency of style and form should be the rule throughout the manuscript. The thesis is not expected to duplicate a published journal in typographic arrangement and display. The more sophisticated publication and layout practices of some journals (such as the use of double columns on a text page, etc.) are not to be followed. A journal's "Instructions to Contributors" are not to be followed exactly when writing a thesis. These instructions are for the convenience of the editors and printers of a journal and do not necessarily apply to the format of a thesis.

Check with the graduate program director in your department for further style instructions.

Publication of Research

Graduate students may publish material that subsequently will be used as part of the thesis provided that the student's graduate committee is notified at the time the student submits the paper for publication. In addition, students should be aware of the agreement that is signed when a journal accepts an article for publication. At that time, the student assigns rights to the journal as publisher and the student may no longer possess rights. See Copyright section for more information.

Use of Other Sources

Copyright protection extends for a statutory period on creative, original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium. Since a thesis is legally classified as a literary work, care must be taken not to violate copyright laws. If the manuscript contains any material (figures, tables, text, etc.) taken from other sources, the student has the responsibility to determine if a license or a letter of permission from the copyright holder is needed. This is true even if the student is an author of the other source - - a letter of permission from the publisher may still be needed should the publisher own the copyright. Note: A work need not bear the copyright symbol in order to be protected under copyright law. If a letter is needed, it must be included in a separate appendix. In addition, an extra copy of the letter must be provided to the Office of the University Registrar.

Your thesis, being an original, written work, is automatically protected by copyright law even without a copyright notice or registration with the U.S. Copyright Office. Your document, once written, is automatically protected. Including the copyright notice and/or registering with the U.S. Copyright Office does add additional protections, however. Students who desire an additional layer of protection may register their work through ProQuest. If you wish ProQuest to act as your agent in securing additional copyright protection, you must indicate this when completing the ETD process and pay the copyright registration fee directly to ProQuest. Registration offers certain advantages to the copyright holder in the event of an infringement.

The copyright notice, if included, must be placed on a separate page immediately after the Abstract page. Refer to the sample pages in this manual for specific directions. A copyright notice should also appear on all other material included in the thesis (e.g., audio, video/film, other digital content). A thorough explanation of how copyright law applies to theses and dissertations is available in "Copyright and Your Dissertation or Thesis: Ownership, Fair Use, and Your Rights and Responsibilities," available from ProQuest  here .

Graduate School

  • Strategic Plan
  • Degree & Certificate Programs
  • Student Health Insurance
  • Graduate Catalog
  • Graduate Student Resources

2102 Monarch Hall Norfolk, VA 23529

Procedures - Submission of Theses or Dissertations

The below content is organized in order for the standard process of submitting theses or dissertations. Please consult with the appropriate GPD for more specific procedures.

Initial Creation/Revisions

The student and committee ensure quality of content and correctness of form of the thesis. The student may be given ongoing evaluations by the committee, but final approval may be given only on the completed document. The student must apply for graduation prior to the semester of graduation and be enrolled in the University.

Submission to Thesis/Dissertation Committee

The finalized document must be submitted to the thesis or dissertation director a minimum of two weeks prior to the oral defense. If the director, committee, and graduate program director agree that the document is in acceptable form for presentation at an oral defense, announcements will be published and distributed.

Thesis/Dissertation Defense

Theses/dissertations must be defended in front of designated examining committees. The decision as to whether a student has passed or failed the examination rests with the committee, but it shall take into account the opinions of other participating faculty members. A majority of the committee, including a majority of those from the student's major department, must approve the thesis or dissertation. A unanimous decision is not necessary.

Committee Recommendations

Immediately following the examination, the chair of the committee shall communicate the results to the student. In some cases, further revision of the document may be required. The Thesis/Dissertation Acceptance form and the thesis or dissertation should be transmitted to the graduate program director for review and approval.

Begin ProQuest ETD Process

The student is advised to begin the ProQuest ETD (Electronic Thesis & Dissertation) process but should not upload the pdf version of the thesis/dissertation. The student may create the ProQuest account and familiarize her/himself with ProQuest publishing options and complete contact information and graduate work details sections.

Review by Dean's Office

The Dean's Office shall review the thesis/dissertation for compliance with this guide and return it for correction if necessary. The manuscript must be corrected and resubmitted as a new document, and the Dean's Office review process begins anew. All original submission deadlines must be met during the re-submission process in order to graduate that semester. The student should not submit the thesis/dissertation to ProQuest until it has been approved by the Dean's Office. Note: Graduation will be postponed if corrections are not made on time.

Finalize ETD Submission to ProQuest

The student must submit a final, error-free pdf version of the document to Proquest. Do not submit the pdf until all previous steps have been completed.

Department Submit Forms

The student's department must email the Thesis/Dissertation Acceptance and Processing form (M3 or D5) and the Result of the Master's/Doctoral Examination (M2 or D3) form to the ETD Manager ( [email protected] ). Forms emailed by students will not be accepted. Once forms have been submitted, the ETD Manager will approve and send the submitted thesis to ProQuest Dissertation Publishing, and the student will receive an email confirmation.

Please Note for Capstone and Paper Submissions: Do not submit your work to ProQuest unless it is an official thesis or dissertation. Capstone projects and paper submissions should be sent to  Karen Vaughan  for inclusion in the ODU Digital Commons. Contact your GPD with any questions.

Human Subjects Research and Research Involving Animals, Hazardous Chemicals, Biohazard Materials, Radioactive Materials.

Man working on laptop giving thumbs up

Any proposal for research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved according to the ODU Procedures for Review of Human Subjects Research. The process and approval must be cited in the text of the thesis.

All research involving human subjects, and certain human cultured cell lines, must conform to federal, state, and university policies providing for the protection of human subjects. While some forms of research may be classified by federal and state regulations as being exempt (i.e., survey research involving standard educational testing materials), all student research must first be reviewed and approved.

The student's thesis/dissertation director, acting as lead investigator, determines whether or not the project should qualify as exempt from Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. If the investigator believes it to be exempt and the study does not have a federal funding source, it can be submitted to the College Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC) for review. If the College committee approves the project, the process stops there. If the College committee believes the project to be non-exempt, the project is forwarded to the IRB for review. The exception to this process is that federally funded exempt research needs to be reviewed by the IRB. These projects bypass college committees.

The student will receive an approval number that must be cited in the thesis or dissertation.

Any proposal for thesis or dissertation research involving vertebrate animal subjects, hazardous chemicals, biohazardous materials, or radioactive materials and/or radiation producing machines must be reviewed and approved according to the guidelines established by the appropriate committee. The process and approval must be cited in the text of the thesis or dissertation.

Guidelines Established By:

Additional questions regarding the review and approval processes outlined here should be directed to the University Research Compliance Officer. More information and appropriate forms can be found  here .

ETD (Electronic Thesis & Dissertation) Submission to ProQuest - General Specifications

All theses and dissertations must be submitted electronically to ProQuest. Fees for registering with the U.S. Copyright Office and ordering bound copies of the thesis or dissertation are payable directly to ProQuest. Click  here  to read through our ProQuest guide for submitting electronically.

Digitized Reproductions

Digitized reproductions of photographs or other materials are acceptable if there is enough resolution and contrast for viewing. The recommended minimum resolution for digitized images and/or photographs is 300dpi.

Tables & Figures

All figures and tables should be sharp black and white, clearly legible, and of professional quality. Hand-drawn material must be of publishable quality. If color is used for tables and figures, a consistent color scheme should be used. For example, tables should not differ drastically from one another in form, color, or general appearance.

Oversized Tables & Figures

Each table and figure in the text must have a unique title. If a figure or table is reduced in size, the title must remain normal size (10-12 point or 12-14 point). Ensure consistent formatting of table/figure titles - capitalization, placement, use of a period at the end.

Each table and figure in the text must have a unique number. Figures and tables are numbered consecutively throughout the text, and each table or figure must be mentioned by number in the text. When possible, first mention of each table or figure must be either within 1.5 pages before the table/figure or on the page immediately following the table/figure. Exceptions must be approved, in advance, by the Dean of the College.

The minimum font size within a table or figure is 10 point.

Tables and figures may be included on a page with text, or they may appear on separate pages. If a table or figure is placed on a page with other material, the table or figure should be separated from the text (or other materials) by a minimum of 2 double spaces (4 single spaces) at the top and bottom.

Placement of titles on tables and figures (above or below) is determined by the style format chosen as a model. If the table or figure is placed lengthwise (landscape position), the top of the table or figure must be at the left-hand, binding side of the page. The caption is placed in the same direction as the figure or table. The page number stays in regular (portrait) position.

Tables or figures longer than one page in length must have the complete title and number of the table/figure on the first page only. Subsequent pages have the table or figure number and the word "Continued" and necessary column headings for ease of reading. The end line of a table appears only on the last page of the table.

Captions or titles on a facing page are to be used only when absolutely necessary. Facing page captions may be used for figures only, never tables. This format applies only when the caption cannot be placed directly onto the page on which the figure appears. If a facing page caption is necessary, the facing page must face in the normal manner. The caption page comes first with only the page number on the front side of the page; (facing page is blank) the caption is placed on the back side of the page in the same direction as the figure. The facing page with the caption and the page with the figure are both numbered consecutively, with the page numbers in the standard position. The number of the page on which the figure itself appears is the only one recorded in the List of Figures.

Manuscript Details

The following tabs provide guidelines for proper manuscript details.

The entire thesis must be of uniform font or typeface. Do not attempt to replicate a journal's use of varying sizes and styles of typeface or font. Any standard bookface font may be used. The graduate program director will make the final decision regarding the legibility and acceptability of fonts. Acceptable printers will produce solid, unbroken lines of type. Consult with your graduate program director if there is doubt about the acceptability of a printed document.

Italics or boldface print (in the same point size as the text) may be used for major headings, subheadings and for emphasis. Underlining is an acceptable alternative to italics, but do not use underlining and bold together. Exceptions: tables, figures, and material in appendices may be in different fonts.

The thesis must be of uniform font size (10 point minimum - 12 point maximum).

Exceptions:

  • Tables, figures, and appendix material can vary in point size.
  • Major headings may be up to two point sizes larger than the text (maximum suggested size is 14 point). If this option is chosen, it must be used for all headings throughout the entire manuscript.
  • Point size reduction may be made in narrative text footnotes, tables, figures and appendix material only. The minimum size for numbers and upper-case letters is 1.5 millimeters; symbols must be large enough to remain legible. The font of the preliminary pages, narrative text, endnotes, reference section, and vita may not be reduced.

Margins are 1.0" on all sides -- left side, right side, top, and bottom. All typing except page numbers must be within the area defined by the margins. Justified right-hand margins may be used in theses only with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Every page in the thesis except the Title/Approval Page and the Abstract must be numbered. Preliminary pages are numbered with lower-case Roman numerals beginning with the Title/Approval Page, understood to be i (no page number appears on this page), and the Abstract, understood to be ii (no page number appears on this page). The text and supplementary pages are numbered with Arabic numerals beginning with the first page of text (numbered 1). Every page following will have a page number. The Vita is the last numbered page.

Page numbers are placed in the upper right-hand corner of the page, one-half inch below the top edge of the paper and one inch from the right-hand edge.

Major Headings

All headings must be consistent regarding point size and the use of bold type. All major headings must be centered at the top of a new page in all capital letters. Point size may be the same size as the body text or up to 2 points larger: 12 point if text is 10 point or 14 point if text is 12 point.

The manuscript may be double-spaced or one and one-half spaced. Mixing of spacing in the text is unacceptable. Single spacing is used only for long, blocked, and inset quotations; footnotes; endnotes; and itemized or tabular material. For spacing of specialized pages (Table of Contents, List of Figures, etc.) see the sample pages included at the end of this guide.

Content Order

The first tab provides the list of contents in the proper order of presentation. The following tabs provide guidelines for each section.

Preliminary Pages (with Roman numeral page numbers)

All sections in italics are optional

  • Title/Approval Page (no page number - understood to be i)
  • Abstract (no page number - understood to be ii)
  • Copyright Notice
  • Acknowledgments
  • Nomenclature
  • Table of Contents
  • List of Tables (if two or more tables appear in the text)
  • List of Figures (if two or more figures appear in the text)
  • List of Graphs (if two or more graphs appear in the text)
  • List of Plates (if two or more plates appear in the text)

Text (with Arabic numeral page numbers)

  • Introduction (as first chapter or section)
  • Main body of text divided into various chapters or sections
  • Summary or Conclusion (as last chapter or section)

References and Supplemental Sections

  • Reference section
  • Appendix material (i.e. copyrights)

The following general rules must be followed in the body of the document:

  • Divide the body into chapters.
  • Use Roman or Arabic numerals in chapter titles and any reference to chapters.
  • Each text page needs at least 4.5 inches of text on it unless the page contains a table or a figure or the next text begins a new chapter or major section.
  • Numbering of equations must be consecutive. No two equations may be numbered the same unless identical term for term.
  • Do not use double columns in text.

Major Headings & Subheadings

The requirements for major headings and subheadings are as follows:

  • Major headings in the text are bold if other major headings are bold. Boldface or italics may be used for subheadings.
  • Each new chapter begins on a new page.
  • The chapter designation (CHAPTER I) is upper-case and centered at the top of the page. The chapter title is also upper-case and centered at least one double-space (no more than two double-spaces) below chapter designation.
  • Titles and subheadings more than one line in length must be double-spaced.
  • There is no punctuation after a heading or subheading that is on a line by itself.
  • Only major headings may be centered and in all capital letters. First level subheadings may be typed in all capital letters provided they are placed flush left.
  • Spacing before/after headings and subheadings must be consistent throughout.
  • The style used for subheadings must clearly show their various levels and must be consistent from chapter to chapter.
  • Subheadings do not begin on a new page. Text continues within a chapter or section.
  • A subheading at the bottom of a page must be followed by at least one line of text.

All theses and dissertations must include a references section. The requirements for the section are as follows:

  • The title is the same heading used in the journal model (REFERENCES, WORKS CITED, BIBLIOGRAPHY). The heading is in all capital letters and bold if major headings are bold.
  • The reference list must be consistent, accurate and complete.
  • A journal article or accepted style guide approved by the graduate program director is used as a model for the reference list. Capitalization, punctuation and ordering (alphabetized, or alphabetized and numbered, or non alphabetized and numbered) of information must follow this model.
  • The use of italics (or quotation marks) for book titles, journal names and article titles and the use of bold type must match the journal model.
  • In an alphabetized list, the system of ordering multiple entries must be consistent.
  • Citations should contain: volume number and page range for journal articles; publisher and city for books; city for universities, laboratories or corporations. Refer to the appropriate style manual for rules governing internet citations.
  • Unpublished material must contain sufficient information for retrieval.
  • Designation of state names (abbreviated or not) should be consistent.
  • Single space within citations and between citations or use the spacing of text throughout the entire section.
  • All references must be cited in the text and all textual citations must be referenced. All textual citations must be from sources the student has actually used.
  • General references consulted and used as background study may be listed under a separate subdivision of the reference section. A subheading such as "Supplemental Sources Consulted" should be added at the end of the sources cited section. Follow the same style used in the reference section.

Appendices are used for supplementary material. The requirements for appendices are as follows: 

  • Heading(s) is/are bold if major headings are in bold. 
  • Appendix headings may either be on a separate cover sheet before appendix material or at the top of the first page of each appendix. Be consistent from appendix to appendix. 
  • Appendix headings are centered. Appendix titles are centered, in all capital letters and appear at least one double space below heading. 
  • Page numbering is continued from the last page of references. 
  • All material must be within margins. 
  • Tables and figures in appendices may be numbered consecutively following the text, or they may be numbered with an appendix designation. If numbered consecutively from the text, they must be included in the List of Tables or List of Figures 
  • Material may be reduced but must conform to minimum size and legibility requirements. 
  • Material may have mixed fonts and point sizes and may be single-spaced.  

The requirements for the vita section are as follows:

  • The heading (VITA) is in bold if major headings are in bold.
  • Wording of the student's name must agree with the name on the first three thesis pages.
  • The vita should contain the address for department of study and a brief biographical sketch listing educational background (including background for all previous degrees: degree, major subject, university and date of graduation).
  • Other information is optional but encouraged: professional experience, publications, business or academic information.
  • Name of the word processor may be stated at the bottom of the page. (Example: The word processor for this thesis was Mary Jones.)
  • The vita is limited to one page.
  • Use either paragraph style with same spacing as text or resume style.

Dean's Office Checklist

Theses and dissertations submitted to the Dean's Office will be reviewed for acceptable execution of the following requirements:

General neatness and legibility.

Consistency in style and format.

Correspondence between titles and page numbers in the text and in the Table of Contents, List of Tables, and List of Figures.

Each major heading is centered, in all capital letters, and at the top of a new page.

Formatting and legibility of figures and tables should follow requirements in this guide.

Use only page numbers outside the margins.

Inclusion of a major introductory chapter or section and a major concluding chapter or section.

Quality of digitization or reproduction.

Title/Approval Page and Abstract must match the format of samples in this guide.

Journal model or style guide formatting for tables, figures and references.

Major headings and first level subheadings appear in the Table of Contents.

Consecutive numbering of tables and figures throughout the body of the thesis.

Documents should begin with the Title/Approval Page and end with the Vita.

Consistent subheading formatting throughout.

Visit our ProQuest guide page for how to submit your work electronically 

Check out these sample pages for guidance. .

Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

From sports games to concerts and lectures, join the ODU community at a variety of campus events. 

The Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Submit your thesis for graduate college review and deposit.

Your thesis deposit is not complete until you have made all corrections requested by the Graduate College Thesis Office and have submitted all supporting items required for the deposit . All corrections and additional materials must be received in satisfactory condition by the Thesis Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the deposit deadline for your intended graduation period. Once the thesis or dissertation has been approved for deposit by the Graduate College, no additional changes to the document will be allowed. Note: The Graduate College does not accept emailed or hard copy thesis submissions for review or deposit.

Prepare your submission

To begin your submission, your thesis should be formatted according to Graduate College thesis requirements and approved by your department .

Prepare your PDF

  • The thesis must be submitted as a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file. See the Thesis Office FAQ for a few tips on the PDF conversion process.*
  • Security settings should not be applied to the PDF file.
  • The PDF file should not contain embedded multimedia.
  • Do not include  required supporting items for the deposit  in the PDF file.
  • Verify/remove inaccurate metadata by opening the file in Adobe Reader and selecting "Properties" from the File menu. On the "Description" tab, verify that the title, author name, and so on are correct.

*Note: The Thesis Office will not assist with the conversion of thesis files to PDF.

SUPPLEMENTAL APPENDIX FILES (Optional)

If you have supplemental appendix files for your thesis (video, audio, data sets, etc.), you will upload those files one at a time during the submission process. An appendix page with a brief description of the content of the supplemental file must be included in the main PDF file of the thesis. See the Graduate College thesis requirements for further information. Also note that any supplemental appendix files must be reviewed and approved by your director of research and committee, and those files will also be available in IDEALS according to the release option you choose.

ideals DEPOSIT agreement and release options

In step 2 of your submission profile, you will be asked to agree to the IDEALS license and choose an IDEALS release option. See the Release Options page for detailed information about those choices.

(OPTIONAL) ProQuest publishing agreement - Doctoral students only

In step 2 of the submission profile, doctoral students will be given the option to have the Graduate College send their dissertation to ProQuest for inclusion in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global and Dissertation Abstracts International databases . If you wish to send your dissertation to ProQuest, agree to the ProQuest publishing agreement during step 2. See the Release Options page for detailed information about the agreement and how your IDEALS release option will determine your ProQuest release option.

Submit your thesis

To create your thesis submission profile and submit your thesis to the Graduate College Thesis Office for review, click on the link below. (If your NetID is no longer active, you will be able to create your own temporary password once you begin the submission process.)

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you receive an error message as you are trying to submit your thesis, please either clear your cache or try a different browser (Google Chrome usually works well).

SUBMIT your thesis

After you have submitted your thesis for review, you will receive a series of emails from the Graduate College Thesis Office that will notify you that we have received your thesis and alert you to any required corrections or other steps you will need to take to complete your thesis deposit. You may also check the status of our review of your thesis at any time by returning to your submission profile via the link provided above.  

Complete your deposit

Your thesis deposit is not complete until you have made all corrections requested by the Graduate College Thesis Office and have submitted all supporting items required for the deposit . All corrections and additional materials must be received in satisfactory condition by the Thesis Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the deposit deadline for your intended graduation period.

After your deposit is complete, review our Post-deposit Considerations .

  • Request Information
  • Find Faculty & Staff
  • Industry Partnerships
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Talent Recruiters
  • Search Open Search Close Search
  • Message from Dean
  • College Leadership
  • Quick Facts
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Accreditation
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Academic Programs
  • Academic Departments
  • Undergraduate Studies
  • Graduate School of Engineering
  • Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership
  • Co-op & Experiential Learning
  • Clubs & Organizations
  • Research Centers & Institutes
  • Research Facilities
  • Publications & Patents
  • Industry Partnership
  • Student Research
  • Honors & Distinctions
  • Annual Reports
  • Faculty Hiring
  • In the Media
  • Spotlight Stories

Dissertation/Thesis Instructions

Students completing their degree with a Dissertation or an MS Thesis must adhere to the deadlines below for final MS Thesis/Dissertation submission to the Graduate School of Engineering for the intended date of degree conferral. Northeastern University requires that students publish their Dissertation or Thesis with Proquest Dissertation Publishing. Whereas students previously completed this task by submitting a hard copy of the Dissertation or Thesis to Snell Library, you must now self-publish using the Northeastern University Proquest/ETD Administrator Site.

Please click the link for the Guidelines below.

  • COE Guide to the Preparation and Submission of Theses and Dissertations
  • COE Style Guide for Theses and Dissertations
  • Publishing Guidelines
  • LaTex Templates

Due to COVID-19, the Graduate School of Engineering is not currently requiring students to submit a physical hard copy document of their PhD Dissertation of MS Thesis to our office.

Students should initiate the submission process only after they have successfully defended the PhD Dissertation or MS Thesis and made all necessary changes as deemed by the Committee members.  Once complete, students can begin obtaining Committee and Graduate School of Engineering signatures by using one of the “initiate you signature page” links below.  Students will be notified by the Graduate School of Engineering once all signatures have been gathered and when to submit an electronic copy of their PhD Dissertation or MS Thesis to Proquest .

If there are any questions about this process, please email  [email protected] and your advisor can assist.

Initiate Your MS Thesis Signature Page

Initiate Your PhD Dissertation Signature Page

Dissertation/Thesis Deadlines

  • April 22, 2024 : MS Thesis/PhD Dissertation Signature Page is due to the Graduate School by 5pm Students submitting after this date will be required to register for an appropriate course in the following semester and are responsible for any tuition incurred.
  • April 27, 2024 : Submission to Proquest due and SED survey (PhD Only) The final MS Thesis or PhD Dissertation document should not be uploaded until the student has been notified of final approval by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.  Please do not upload the committee signature page with your document to Proquest . Instructions to complete the SED survey (PhD Only) will be emailed when the PhD Dissertation has been approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.
  • April 27, 2024 : Degree Conferral
  • August 19, 2024 : MS Thesis/PhD Dissertation Signature Page is due to the Graduate School by 5pm Students submitting after this date will be required to register for an appropriate course in the following semester and are responsible for any tuition incurred.
  • August 24, 2024 : Submission to Proquest due and SED survey (PhD Only) The final MS Thesis or PhD Dissertation document should not be uploaded until the student has been notified of final approval by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.  Please do not upload the committee signature page with your document to Proquest . Instructions to complete the SED survey (PhD Only) will be emailed when the PhD Dissertation has been approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.
  • August 23, 2024 : Degree Conferral
  • December 9, 2024 : Thesis and Dissertations due to the Graduate School by 5pm Students submitting after this date will be required to register for Thesis/Dissertation Continuation in the following term. Tuition is billed at 1 semester hour for this course.
  • December 14, 2024 : Submission to Proquest due and SED survey (PhD Only) The final MS Thesis or PhD Dissertation document should not be uploaded until the student has been notified of final approval by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.  Please do not upload the committee signature page with your document to Proquest . Instructions to complete the SED survey (PhD Only) will be emailed when the PhD Dissertation has been approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Graduate School of Engineering.
  • December 14, 2024 : Degree Conferral

Jump to navigation

Search form

Home

The Graduate School

  • Faculty/Staff Resources
  • Programs of Study Browse the list of MSU Colleges, Departments, and Programs
  • Graduate Degree List Graduate degrees offered by Michigan State University
  • Research Integrity Guidelines that recognize the rights and responsibilities of researchers
  • Online Programs Find all relevant pre-application information for all of MSU’s online and hybrid degree and certificate programs
  • Graduate Specializations A subdivision of a major for specialized study which is indicated after the major on official transcripts
  • Graduate Certificates Non-degree-granting programs to expand student knowledge and understanding about a key topic
  • Interdisciplinary Graduate Study Curricular and co-curricular opportunities for advanced study that crosses disciplinary boundaries
  • Theses and Dissertations Doctoral and Plan A document submission process
  • Policies and Procedures important documents relating to graduate students, mentoring, research, and teaching
  • Academic Programs Catalog Listing of academic programs, policies and related information
  • Traveling Scholar Doctoral students pursue studies at other BTAA institutions
  • Apply Now Graduate Departments review applicants based on their criteria and recommends admission to the Office of Admissions
  • International Applicants Application information specific to international students
  • PhD Public Data Ph.D. Program Admissions, Enrollments, Completions, Time to Degree, and Placement Data
  • Costs of Graduate School Tools to estimate costs involved with graduate education
  • Recruitment Awards Opportunities for departments to utilize recruitment funding
  • Readmission When enrollment is interrupted for three or more consecutive terms
  • Assistantships More than 3,000 assistantships are available to qualified graduate students
  • Fellowships Financial support to pursue graduate studies
  • Research Support Find funding for your research
  • Travel Funding Find funding to travel and present your research
  • External Funding Find funding outside of MSU sources
  • Workshops/Events Find opportunities provided by The Graduate School and others
  • Research Opportunities and programs for Research at MSU
  • Career Development Programs to help you get the career you want
  • Teaching Development Resources, workshops, and development opportunities to advance your preparation in teaching
  • Cohort Fellowship Programs Spartans are stronger together!
  • The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) A national network society for students who have traditionally been underrepresented
  • Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
  • Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) A community that supports retention, and graduation of underrepresented doctoral students
  • Recruitment and Outreach Ongoing outreach activities by The Graduate School
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding Funding resources to recruit diverse students
  • Graduate Student Organizations MSU has over 900 registered student organizations
  • Grad School Office of Well-Being Collaborates with graduate students in their pursuit of their advanced degree and a well-balanced life
  • Housing and Living in MI MSU has an on and off-campus housing site to help find the perfect place to stay
  • Mental Health Support MSU has several offices and systems to provide students with the mental health support that they need
  • Spouse and Family Resources MSU recognizes that students with families have responsibilities that present challenges unique to this population
  • Health Insurance Health insurance info for graduate student assistants and students in general at MSU
  • Safety and Security MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect
  • Why Mentoring Matters To Promote Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education at MSU
  • Guidelines Guidelines and tools intended to foster faculty-graduate student relationships
  • Toolkit A set of resources for support units, faculty and graduate students
  • Workshops Workshops covering important topics related to mentor professional development
  • About the Graduate School We support graduate students in every program at MSU
  • Strategic Plan Our Vision, Values, Mission, and Goals
  • Social Media Connect with the Graduate School!
  • History Advancing Graduate Education at MSU for over 25 years
  • Staff Directory
  • Driving Directions

Electronic Theses and Dissertation Submissions

Thesis/Dissertation Office, 466 West Circle Drive, 2nd floor, Chittenden Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824

Phone: 517-353-3220; Email: [email protected] .

The links below provide instructions on what needs to be completed and approved by the Graduate School in order to graduate.

Each semester has a firm submission deadline by which students must submit their thesis/dissertation to ProQuest. The document must have been successfully defended, corrections from the committee addressed and is to be a final version. After submission it may take several days for the Graduate School to review and approve the documents, especially if formatting revisions are needed. Each semester has a final deadline (usually 2 weeks later) by which students must have all required paperwork turned in, all milestones completed and their thesis/dissertation accepted by the Graduate School. 

  • Printable Formatting Guide (PDF) Note the absence of List of Tables and List of Figures in the new formatting guide. These sections are generally not necessary and leaving them out helps quicken the review process. Also note that the Table of Contents is more useful when entries are limited to chapter-level headings or chapter-level headings and first-level subheadings.
  • Printable Sample Pages (PDF) This includes examples of the title page, abstract, copyright, dedication page, preface, bibliography, table of contents, etc.
  • Master’s Title Page Template
  • Dissertation Title Page Template
  • Dissertation Title Page with Dual Degree Template
  • Spring 2024 Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Tutorial (PDF)
  • Spring 2024 Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Tutorial (Video)
  • All Plan A Master’s and all Doctoral students must turn in the Approval form.
  • The Approval form is taken as evidence that the document has been examined and approved by the major professor or thesis/dissertation director. It also serves to document compliance with the appropriate Institutional Review Board for the use of human and vertebrate animals for research.
  • Supplemental files may be included with the electronic submission of the thesis or dissertation in the student’s ProQuest account ONLY if the files have been approved by the faculty advisor/committee on the Approval Form.
  • ETD Approval Form

Human Research Protection Program

  • If human subjects were used in your research, the IRB letter (on letterhead from the Human Research Protection office) should be uploaded with your electronic Approval Form.
  • The IRB number that is to appear your approval form is the “Approved” number on the IRB letter (e.g. STUDY00004871 or AMEND202100608), not the application number (e.g. i45603).
  • Sending a screenshot from the “CLICK” site where you are listed as a researcher (CLICK photo must start at the green box that says “APPROVED” and extend so it includes information in the “Contacts” tab below the flow chart) OR
  • Having your PI send an email to [email protected] stating the IRB number, the project title, and that you are an approved researcher on the project.  (If you used animal subjects, your name does not need to appear on the IACUC letter.)  

MSU Requirements

MSU IRB review and approval or an exempt determination is required for all projects that involve research or clinical investigations with human subjects conducted by faculty, staff, students, or agents of MSU before initiation of any human subject research activities.

For those projects that may qualify as exempt from IRB approval, an exempt determination must be obtained from the MSU IRB office prior to initiation of the human subject research. For those projects that do not qualify as exempt, IRB approval must be obtained prior to initiation of the human subject research.

Please note: your thesis or dissertation may be rejected if you did not obtain IRB approval prior to the start of your research, if your IRB request was backdated or if your review request was denied by the Human Research Protection office. For further information, please see the Human Research Protection Program website at:  https://hrpp.msu.edu/ . Phone: 517-355-2180. Email:  [email protected] .

Animal Care Program

  • If vertebrate animals were used in your research, the IACUC (AUF) letter (on letterhead from the Animal Care Program office) should be uploaded with your electronic Approval Form.
  • The IACUC (AUF) number that is to appear on your approval form is the “IACUC ID” number on the IACUC letter (i.e.: PROTO201800030).

Activities Needing Approval

Any ownership or use of animals for research, teaching, testing, or public outreach by or for MSU must be approved by the IACUC. Some activities are exempt but check first.

Check with the IACUC before you do any of these:

  • breed, buy, or conduct research involving animals
  • study wild animals
  • conduct farming and food production with animals
  • euthanize an animal
  • import or export animals
  • test products, procedures, or treatments on animals
  • transport animals
  • initiate a new project
  • add a new procedure or controlled substance
  • change your protocol
  • change the breed you are using
  • schedule a public performance or demonstration with animals

Get approval before you begin ANY activities involving animals.

The  laws and guidelines  for using animals are numerous. Non-compliance can affect animal care. Non-compliance will be costly to the investigator and the University (such as damage to our reputation and funding). The IACUC committee and staff have up-to-date information on legislation and regulations and contacts with agencies providing guidelines for the care and use of animals.

Please note: your thesis or dissertation may be rejected if you did not obtain IACUC approval prior to the start of your research, if your IACUC request was backdated or if your review request was denied by the Animal Care Program office. For further information, please see the Animal Care Program/IACUC website at:  https://animalcare.msu.edu/iacuc/index.html . Phone: 517-432-8103. Email:  [email protected] .

  • Please take a few moments to complete this survey the semester that you plan to graduate. Only students who have applied for graduation will have access to this online survey. Your participation is important and is greatly appreciated by the Graduate School. The survey will ask you questions about your educational experience in your graduate program. The Graduate School uses data from this survey when reviewing graduate programs and to guide decisions about services and initiatives for graduate students.
  • Doctoral students:  https://www.egr.msu.edu/doctoral/survey
  • Master’s students:  https://msu.12twenty.com
  • Enter your MSU NetID (Login name) and password.
  • Complete all items on the survey. When finished, click Submit.
  • If you cannot open the survey, please contact the Graduate School by email at  [email protected]  and include your name, student ID#, degree level (PhD, MA, MS, etc), and the semester of graduation. You will then be notified when you are able to access the survey.
  • The Survey of Earned Doctorates is the definitive source of information on the nation’s new research doctorates. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and five other federal agencies and conducted by RTI, the SED is critical to the understanding in what specialty areas doctorates are produced and their post-graduation employment plans.
  • Results are used by government as well as academic institutions to make decisions about graduate education funding, developing new programs and supporting existing ones.
  • Michigan State University REQUIRES verification of completion of the survey. When you submit your survey, a notification of completion will automatically be sent to the Graduate School office. It is recommended that at the end of the survey, you also have a copy of the “certificate of completion” emailed to your personal email for your records.
  • The registration URL for the survey is:  https://sed-ncses.org . You will receive an email with a PIN and password as well as the URL to the survey upon registering.
  • Confidentiality Assurance: The information provided in the survey questionnaire remains confidential and is safeguarded in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the NSF Act of 1950, as amended. The survey data are reported only in aggregate form or in a manner that does not identify information about the individual.
  • Questions about the survey may be directed to RTI at  [email protected]  or at 1-877-256-8167.
  • You may submit your document to ProQuest once you have successfully defended your thesis or dissertation and you have made the corrections that your committee wishes you to make.  Do not submit your document prior to your defense. 
  • Go to  www.etdadmin.com/grad.msu  and follow the directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to Michigan State University via ProQuest.
  • When creating your account be sure to use an email address that you use regularly. In order to continue the submission process, you will be asked to “confirm” your account using the email address you provided. This is the email address that all correspondence from the Graduate School regarding your document will go.
  • Once you “confirm” your account, you are ready to begin the submission process. Please be sure you are on the Michigan State University website within ProQuest. 
  • The submission steps are listed on the left side of the screen in the ProQuest website. As each step is completed, a check mark will appear in the appropriate box indicating that you have completed that step. In order to make your initial submission, you must go through each step of the process.
  • Once you submit to ProQuest, your electronic submission will be reviewed by a Michigan State University Graduate School Administrator for possible formatting revisions and/or required paperwork before it is “officially” accepted and delivered to ProQuest for publishing.
  • You may expect a response with necessary corrections or paperwork from the Graduate School within two business days from the time we receive your electronic submission (or resubmission). NOTE: Response times increase dramatically closer to deadline dates.
  • Once all corrections have been made and all necessary paperwork has been turned in to the Graduate School, your document will be accepted and delivered to ProQuest for publishing.
  • Please contact ProQuest directly at 800-521-0600 with any technical questions regarding your submission or any questions regarding an order you placed.
  • If you wish to have ProQuest file a copyright on your behalf, the current fee is $75.00 and must be paid to ProQuest when you create your submission.  You must be the sole author of the entire document for ProQuest to file for a copyright on your behalf.
  • For information regarding a publication hold/embargo on your thesis/dissertation please go to the Embargo link .

Michigan State University Wordmark

  • Call us: (517) 353-3220
  • Contact Information
  • Privacy Statement
  • Site Accessibility
  • Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
  • Visit: msu.edu
  • MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

Digital Commons @ UConn

Home > Grad School > Master's Theses

Master's Theses

As of august 11, 2020, the submission process has changed. please refer to the master's thesis information page for information, instructions and links., masters theses can be accessed from the library digital repository (ctda)., theses from 2020 2020.

Reliability of A Low Dose CBCT Protocol In Evaluating Sinus Pathology Associated with Potential Implant Sites: An Ex-Vivo Imaging Study , Armaghan Ahmad

Associations of Cardiovascular Health, Strength, and Physical Activity in Participants with a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction , Kirsten Allen

Manufacturing Process of Electrode Films , Bryan Aponte

An Exploration of Health Misinformation in a Facebook-delivered Health Education Intervention , Kelsey Arroyo

Comparing the Outcomes of Closed vs. Open Surgical Exposure of Palatally Impacted Canines: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial , Sina Banankhah

Evaluation of Obturation Extrusion of Guttacore with Varying Insertion Rates , John Barrett

Bobcats Within a Mosaic of Housing Densities in Connecticut , Kristen Beattie

A Regional Vulnerability Assessment for the Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) to Changing Ocean Conditions: Insights From Model Projections and Empirical Experiments , Halle Berger

Mirroring Antagonistic and Mutualistic Interactions Give Rise to Shifts in Network Architecture Among Hummingbirds, Phoretic Mites, and Tropical Flowers , Laura Bizzarri

The Holistic Evaluation of Anxiety and its Relationship to Trauma (H.E.A.R.T.) Study , Jaime Elizabeth Blackmon

Genome-wide RNAi Screen Of Kinase Pathways Regulating rrt-1 Constitutive Cytoprotective Gene Expression , Jacob Bowie

The Practice of cantus planus binatim as Reflected in John Plousiadenos's Pro-Union Communion Hymns , Simeon Brown

Economics of Inter-Regional Water Compacts with Consideration of Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction: A Case Study from the Republican River Basin , Christopher Bruno

Fabrication, Testing and Theoretical Background of a Quantum Dot Floating Gate Flash Non-Volatile Memory (QDG NVM) , Nathan Butterfield

The Harms of Willful Ignorance: Maternal Healthcare Providers’ Insight on Racial Disparities , Cara Marisa Cancelmo

Examining Opportunity in the Dental Community to Identify Prediabetes , Kirsten S. Carew

Alcohol-Related Consequences: Factor Structure and Associations with Trait Mindfulness and Drinking Motivations , Lauren Carney

Shyness x Niche Interactions Across Five Countries: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study , Daniell Carvalheiro

Predictors of Willingness of the Sheltered Homeless to Be Screened for Hepatitis C , Linda Casey

Effect of Endodontic Sealers on Dentin Strength , Philip Chang

Adsorptive Desulfurization Using Rare Earth Exchanged Zeolite Y: A Comparative Study , Tyler Crowl

Biopolítica, Animalidad y Máquina Antropológica en la Obra de Horacio Quiroga , Damian Deamici

New Childhood Chronic Illness: PANS/PANDAS and the Impact on Family Functioning , Jamie L. Dolce

Altered Gene Expression in Circulating Immune Cells Following a 24-Hour Passive Dehydration , Aidan Fiol

Behavioral and Math Skill Development Over Early Childhood , Eleanor Fisk

The Effect of Heat Acclimatization, Heat Acclimation, and Intermittent Exercise on Aerobic Performance , Lauren Fry

miR-433-3p Negatively Regulates Bone Formation and Targets Critical for Osteoblast Function , John Garcia

Intersecciones entre Cine Documental y Archivos Queer: Notas a Propósito de Sexilio. , LAZARO J. GONZALEZ

Interprofessional Collaboration for Oral Health Education and Screening of Children with Special Health Care Needs , Lamia Habib

Cloud Cover and PV Intermittence: Monitoring, Forecasting and its Economical Value , Aaron Haegele

Convergence and Historical Contingency in the Evolution of Lingual Prey Capture Systems in Lizards , Amanda E. Hewes

SNAP Assistance, Food Purchasing Behaviors and Dietary Patterns Among Overweight/Obese, Pregnant, Low-income Latinas , Marta Holovatska

The Necessity of Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein Expression by NG2 Glia for Maintenance of Glial and Neuronal Health , Robert Horning

High Pressure Combustor Flame and Wall Conjugate Radiative Heat Transfer , Andressa Johnson

Household Food Security Status, Dietary Patterns and Diabetes Risk (Hemoglobin A1c) among Cambodian Refugees with Depression , Shanjida Jui

The Denial of Black Victimhood: Examining Attitudes of Sexual Assault and Victim-Blaming on a College Campus, A Continued Analysis , Odia Kane

Pre-Surgery Leptin Level and Weight Loss in Female Bariatric Surgery Patients , Miriam Katz

Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs : La glorification de l’Abject , Elifnaz Kayhan

Evaluation of Microbiome in Rapidly Progressing Periodontitis of Incisor-Molar Distribution in Primary and Permanent Dentition , Sungeun Koo

Exposure to Disability-Related Content and Attitudes Toward Persons with Disabilities within the UConn MPH Program: An Exploratory Study , Holly LaBrecque

Galilean Invariance in Large-Eddy Simulation of Shallow Convection , oumaima lamaakel

The Role of Beta-hydroxybutyrate Supplementation in a Drosophila Model of Traumatic Brain Injury , Derek Lee

Presence of Safety Disclaimers in Instagram Posts about Physical Activity During Pregnancy , Brooke Libby MPH

Stability of Dentoalveolar Changes Following Expansion in the Maxilla with Jackscrew Appliances: A Retrospective CBCT Study , Jonathan Lomboy

Diagnostic Accuracy and Dosimetry of Intraoral, Extraoral and CBCT Generated Bitewings for Detecting Approximal Caries and Bone Loss , jyoti mago

Reliability and Validity of Physical Literacy Assessment Tools in the High School Aged Population , Zachary Malone

Context Effects on Child Object Touch and Parent Referential Speech: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder , Amanda Mankovich

The Efficacy of Intensive Application of Schuell’s Stimulation Approach for Chronic Wernicke’s Aphasia: An Analysis and Comparison , Callie Ann Marsalisi

Temperature-Dependent Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Monkeyflowers (Mimulus) , Hayley E. McMahon

A Thermal-Mechanical Finite Element Analysis of Orthogonal Cutting for Normalized Steels , Lilia Miller

Waves of Binding: Neural Oscillations of Visual, Auditory, and Lexical Integration , Hannah Morrow

Triplet-triplet Annihilation-Based Photon Upconversion in Protein Biomaterials , Alexander M. Oddo

Characterizing the Initial Implementation of the Just Us Moving Project (JUMP) , Kwaku Ohemeng

Retrospective Evaluation of the Survival Rate of Buccal Mini-implants and the Factors Associated with their Survival , Ledjo Palo

Community Needs Assessment: Opioid Use within the Central Connecticut Health District , Luis Pantoja

Dealing With Faulty Data Via a Physics-Based Filtering Method , Ross Pellenberg

Motivation and Social Withdrawal in Schizophrenia: Factors Related to Passive Social Withdrawal and Active Social Avoidance , Emily Anne Peters

Identification of Residues Essential for HSV ICP8 Mediated Annealing of ssDNA , Jaliyah Ashante Peterson

Evaluation of The Diagnostic Efficacy of a Lower Dose 180° Cone Beam CT(CBCT) Acquisition Protocol Compared to a Conventional 360° Acquisition for Dental Implant Planning , Afroditi Pita

Experimental Methods for Studying Mixing and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Effusion Jets in a Vitiated Crossflow , Benjamin Poettgen

Clinical Assessment of Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors in Toddlers on the Autism Spectrum , Katelynn Porto

Localization of Gli1+ Expressing Cells in Adult Mouse Molars , Divya Puri

NF-κB Subunits p50 and RelA Contribute to Oncogenesis in a Mouse Model of ST-EPN , Ericka J. Randazzo

Electrospray Printing: An Advanced Technique for Processing Polymers into Thin Films for Membrane Applications , Tulasi Ravindran

Effects of Various Decontamination Protocols on the Surface Microbial Load of Conventional and 3D Printed Surgical Guides for Dental Implants , David Remiszewski

Sources and Fluxes of Reactive N in a Southern New England River , Veronica Rollinson

Neural Representation of Articulable and Inarticulable Novel Sound Contrasts: The Role of the Dorsal Stream , David Saltzman

Efficacy of 3D-Printed Guide vs Conventional method for Conservative Endodontic Access Preparation in Extracted Upper Molars , Manuel Sato

Piggybac Transposon-Based Lineage Tracing to Reveal Ependymogenesis , Tasnuva Nuhat Shafin

Food Insecurity, Race, and Adolescent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease in NHANES 2001-06 , Kritika Shankar

Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health Practices in South Asian Populations , Ambika Sharma

Effects of Various Sterilization Protocols on the Dimensional Accuracy of 3D Printed Surgical Guides for Dental Implants , Collin Shuen

Vidocq, Vautrin, et la Naissance du Genre Policier , Carrie Slayton

Developing a QI Culture in Accredited Local Health Departments: Use of Normalization Process Theory , Lina Smith

Applying Transit Accessibility Metrics to Locating Affordable Housing , Robert Walsh Smith

Bayesian Test Design for Fault Detection and Isolation in Systems with Uncertainty , Evangelos Stefanidis

What is the Impact of Time Lag in Developmental Research? A Re-Analysis of Meta-Analyses Using Lag as Moderator , Rachel Taylor

Identifying Factors Associated with Repeated Use of Mobile Crisis Intervention Services , Kayla Theriault

Evaluation of Engineered Thermal Refuge in Streams as a Climate Warming Mitigation Strategy for Fish Populations Experiencing Thermal Stress , Rebekah Thielman

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Delay in Children with Low Mental Age , Rebecca P. Thomas

A Serial Multiplexed Approach to Immunolabeling Brain Tissue for Electron Microscopy , Peter Tiley

Human Intention Inference using Fusion of Gaze and Motion Information , Daniel Trombetta

Comparative Genomics of Six Juglans Species Reveals Disease-associated Gene Family Contractions , Alexander Trouern-Trend

Social Factors Influencing Family Planning Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Ngäbe Population in Bocas del Toro and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama , Carolina Vicens Cardona

Evaluation of Winter Weather Prediction during Extreme Snowfall Events and Analysis on Wind Gust Prediction for Non-Convective Rain and Wind Events , Michael Walters

Alveolar Bone and Airway Changes in Different Maxillary Expansion Treatments: A 3D Cone-beam Tomography Study , Dennis Wang

State of Community Health Needs Assessments in Connecticut , Miryam Hannah Wilson Reardon

The Effects of Agricultural Management on Wetland Birds , Theresa Wisneskie

Theses from 2019 2019

Liquid Crystalline Brush-like Imidazolium Co-polymer Membranes For Energy Conversion , Edirimuni Iyomali Abeysekera

Meta-Research Of Periodontal Clinical Trials , Khadijeh Al-Abedalla

Mapping Relict Charcoal Hearths in the Northeast US Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks and LIDAR Data , Eli Anderson

The Role of AKAP18 and Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor-1 in the Heart: Defining their Binding Domain , Shania Aponte Paris

Design Optimization of a Small Scale Hydropower Harvesting Device , Rishav Aryal

The Effects of Raloxifene on Bone Remodeling and Orthodontic Relapse , Niloufar Azami

Correlation Between Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis and Cervical Spine Osteoarthritis , KEHINDE BABALOLA

The Role of Cytochrome P450s in Drosophila Olfaction , Shane Baldwin

Influence of Salt Marsh Vegetation on Carbon Cycling and Microbial Communities , Aidan Barry

Atrial Fibrillation Detection from Smartwatch Based Photoplethysmography Signals , Syed Khairul Bashar

hBN-Acrylate Composite Printing: Stereolithography and UV-Assisted Direct Write , Zachary Bauman

Translating My Way Through the Shadows: an English Translation and Critical Edition of Mariateresa Di Lascia’s Passaggio in ombra , Jeanne Bonner

Page 1 of 16

Advanced Search

  • Notify me via email or RSS
  • Using and Citing
  • UConn Library
  • Open Access Author Fund
  • Collections
  • Disciplines

Author Corner

  • Grad School Website

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

Graduate School

  • Make a Gift

Thesis & Dissertation

Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Resources

masters thesis submission

Your thesis or dissertation must be  approved   by the Graduate School  by the published  deadline dates  of your graduating term in order to graduate in a given semester. Additionally,  all required forms must be completed by by the published deadlines. 

Please familiarize yourself with the required submission process, copyright registration , and the student and advisor responsibilities prior to the semester you plan to graduate.

You are required to adhere to the Colorado State University Graduate School formatting and submission guidelines. The guidelines found in your department, listed on any other CSU webpages, or any previously published ETDs may not meet current formatting guidelines.

The word “thesis” refers to both the thesis and the dissertation unless otherwise noted.

Submitting Your ETD

Find tips and “how-to” resources below and you may also review detailed instructions on the  O rganizing and  Formatting Your Thesis and Dissertation  page. 

Contact the Graduate School at [email protected] or 970-491-6817 if you still have formatting questions.

ETD Formatting Checklist and Sample Pages

  • Copyright Page is inserted after the Title Page with no page number
  • Abstract Page is ordered after the Copyright Page with small roman numeral ii
  • First page of main text is page 1.
  • All page numbers are 1/2″ from the bottom of the page and centered.
  • Check the Master’s Thesis Title Page Sample , Ph.D. Dissertation Title Page Sample , Abstract Sample Page and Copyright Sample Page to ensure your pages conform.
  • Verify that the title on your Title Page and Abstract matches the title on your GS30 Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form.
  • The Abstract and Acknowledgements are located only in the Preliminary Section.
  • Check that your department name and degree name are correct.
  • Check that your graduation term is correct. (Spring, Summer or Fall and year.)
  • Check margins. Correct margins are 1 inch: top, bottom, left and right.
  • Table captions go above the table.
  • Figure captions go below the figure.
  • All tables and figures must conform to margin requirement.

To assist fellow graduate students in the development of their thesis or dissertation, a pilot project was initiated by the Graduate Student Council to create a trial offering of a LaTeX template. The The CSU Graduate School and the Morgan Library are unable to provide troubleshooting support for students who opt to use this template.  If you opt to use the template, it is  your responsibility  to ensure your thesis or dissertation meets current Graduate School formatting requirements .  Please use only use the template if you are knowledgeable and familiar with the program .  View information on the the   Colorado State University LaTeX Thesis/Dissertation Template .

How-to Guide for Page Numbering

Having trouble getting Microsoft Word to behave? Try using the Page Numbering for a Thesis or Dissertation Guide (PDF) . 

Each semester, Graduate School staff provide a preliminary review of document formatting and help students with common issues. Documents are reviewed in PDF format. If you are using LaTeX, formatting can be checked if you bring a PDF file for review; however, we are unable to offer support for LaTeX.

If you would like your document reviewed for formatting before submitting to ProQuest, please send it as a PDF to [email protected]  by March 21 . We will do one preliminary review. All subsequent revisions must be submitted through ProQuest.

Submit your completed GS30 Thesis & Dissertation Submission form. Access the form in RamWeb , then deliver it to the Graduate School:

  • Ph.D. students must submit the Certificate of Completion from your Survey of Earned Doctorates .
  • If an embargo is required, complete the embargo section on the GS30 form and submit it to the Graduate School. Access the forms in RAMWeb .

Submit your thesis or dissertation electronically to ProQuest/UMI through the Colorado State University Libraries ETD Submission Website .

You are almost there! An email notifying you of any required revisions will be sent from ProQuest to the email address you used to set up your ProQuest account. Please make sure ProQuest is a on your safe sender list or monitor your junk mail.

Ohio State nav bar

The Ohio State University

  • BuckeyeLink
  • Find People
  • Search Ohio State

Dissertations and Theses

The dissertation is the hallmark of the research expertise demonstrated by a doctoral student. It is a scholarly contribution to knowledge in the student’s area of specialization. By researching and writing a dissertation, the student is expected to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and the capability to function as an independent scholar. 

A thesis is a hallmark of some master’s programs. It is a piece of original research, generally less comprehensive than a dissertation, and is meant to show the student’s knowledge of an area of specialization.  

Document Preparation

PhD and master’s students are responsible for meeting all requirements for preparing theses and dissertations. They are expected to confer with their advisors about disciplinary and program expectations and to follow Graduate School procedure requirements.

The Graduate School’s format review is in place to help the document submission process go smoothly for the student. Format reviews for PhD dissertations and master’s theses can be done remotely or in-person. The format review is required at or before the two-week notice of the final defense. 

Access and Distribution

Ohio State has agreements with two organizations— OhioLINK   and   ProQuest/UMI Dissertation Publishing —that store and provide access to Ohio State theses and dissertations.  

Examinations

Graduate degree examinations are a major milestone in all graduate students’ pursuit of their graduate degree. Much hinges on the successful completion of these examinations, including the ability to continue in a graduate program. 

The rules and processes set by the Graduate School ensure the integrity of these examinations for graduate students, the graduate faculty, and for Ohio State. 

Final Semester

During your final semester as a graduate student there are many activities that lead up to commencement and receiving your degree. Complete the final semester checklist and learn more about commencement activities.

Graduation Calendar

Select your expected graduation term below to see specific dates concerning when to apply for graduation, complete your examinations and reports, submit approved thesis and dissertation, commencement, and the end-of semester deadline.

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : January 26, 2024

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : April 12, 2024

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : April 19, 2024

Commencement 4  : May 5, 2024

End of Semester Deadline 5  : May 6, 2024

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : May 24, 2024

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : July 12, 2024

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : July 19, 2024

Commencement 4  : August 4, 2024

End of Semester Deadline 5  : August 19, 2024

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : September 6, 2024

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : November 22, 2024

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : November 27, 2024

Commencement 4  : December 15, 2024

End of Semester Deadline 5  : January 3, 2025

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : January 24, 2025

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : April 11, 2025

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : April 18, 2025

Commencement 4  : May 4, 2025

End of Semester Deadline 5  : May 5, 2025

1  Applications to graduate include current semester or End-of-Semester deadline. Applications must be received by close of business.

2 Format reviews may occur electronically or in person at the Graduate School during announced business hours.  Both options require submitting a digital version of the dissertation or DMA document draft in a PDF format to  [email protected] .  

3  Approved documents must be submitted via OhioLINK and accepted by the Graduate School by the close of business before the Report on Final Document will be processed.

4  Students not attending commencement must complete the commencement section on the Application to Graduate to indicate how their diploma should be disbursed.

5  A degree applicant who does not meet published graduation deadlines but who does complete all degree requirements by the last business day prior to the first day of classes for the following semester or summer term will graduate the following semester or summer term without registering or paying fees

Still Have Questions?

Dissertations & Theses 614-292-6031 [email protected]

Doctoral Exams, Master's Examination, Graduation Requirements 614-292-6031 [email protected]

  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff

Thesis Dissertation Electronic Submission

  • Student Resources
  • About the Dean
  • Advancement to Candidacy
  • Academic Policies
  • Admitted Student Checklists
  • Student Forms
  • New Graduate Student Welcome and Orientation
  • Filing Deadlines
  • Students With Families
  • Registrar and Degree Completion
  • Commencement
  • Thesis Dissertation Paper Submission
  • International Student Resources

The electronic version of the master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation must follow all formatting requirements set forth in the manual. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the thesis/dissertation appears as originally intended when it is accessed or printed.

The thesis/dissertation must be submitted as a single electronic Portable Document Format (PDF) file. If the original thesis/dissertation is a Microsoft Word or RTF file, you will be able to convert the thesis/dissertation to a PDF at the UCI Thesis/Dissertation Submission Site . If the doctoral dissertation is not in Microsoft Word, RTF, or PDF – e.g. LaTeX or WordPerfect – it must be converted to PDF before the student uses the Submission Site. Certain types of fonts and graphics work better with PDF, and special attention should be paid to creating equations for PDF conversions. Optional supplemental files (images, video, audio) that are an integral part of the thesis/dissertation but not part of the full text may also be submitted electronically

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES INCLUDE: UCI Thesis and Dissertation Manual Graduate Student Filing Deadlines Ph.D. Dissertation Checklist/final degree paperwork packet-DocuSign link Master’s Thesis checklist/final degree paperwork packet-DocuSign link Forms How can we help?

If you need additional information, please contact:

Graduate Division [email protected]

Instructions for Electronic Submission

*Please check in with your individual program before starting the submission process as they may have additional program specific guidelines

Student submits final PDF version of thesis/dissertation to the ProQuest*/ETD website (see information on ProQuest website below) and completes entire on-line submission process at the link provided below. The UCI Libraries staff will send a verification e-mail stating your submission has been received and is under review. This e-mail confirms the initial submission has been received, it is not the final approval. Once the submission has been reviewed by UCI Libraries staff, the student will either receive the final confirmation e-mail that their submission has been accepted or an e-mail noting revisions that are needed before it can be accepted.

www.etdadmin.com/uci

* When creating your ProQuest account and completing the submission process, please note there are no required fees for UCI students to pay. There is no need to pay for open access or copy right. Any fees for services provided by ProQuest are optional.   

Submit your complete final degree packet to the Graduate Division, using the official Graduate Division DocuSign form link:

Ph.D. Dissertation Checklist/final degree paperwork packet

Master’s Thesis checklist/final degree paperwork packet

Ph.D. Dissertation Required Items-(all items listed below are incorporated into the official Graduate Division DocuSign forms)

Ph.D. Submission Checklist

Ph.D. Form II/Signature Page – Report on Final Examination for the Ph.D. Degree serves as the official signature page.

Final confirmation e-mail from the Proquest/ETD website

The student will attach the confirmation e-mail to their DocuSign final degree paperwork.

Survey of Earned Doctorates

Upon completing the survey, students are given the opportunity to enter their e-mail address to which a confirmation e-mail will be sent. The student will attach the confirmation e-mail to their DocuSign final degree paperwork.

UCI Exit Survey

Upon completing the survey, students will receive a confirmation e-mail. The student will attach the confirmation e-mail to their DocuSign final degree paperwork.

Master’s Thesis Required Forms-(all items listed below are incorporated into the official Graduate Division DocuSign forms)

Master’s Thesis Submission Checklist

Master’s Thesis/Signature Page Report on Final Examination for the Master’s Degree

$55 Master’s Thesis Submission Fee must be paid with the proof of payment uploaded as an attachment to the DocuSign final degree packet before submitting the form to Graduate Division

Step Three:

Graduate Division

Completed DocuSign final degree packet is routed to Graduate Division for review and degree processing, a staff member will:

Verify all required items have been submitted.

If all the required items are present:

Graduate Division staff will begin the degree audit to confer the degree

Please note during peak business time of the quarter, degree processing may take 14 business days or more

If any of the required items are missing, the staff member will hault the degree audit and contact the student and/or department to submit the missing required items. If the required items are not submitting, Graduate Division staff will void or decline to sign the DocuSign form

UCI Libraries

Approves ETD submission to be sent to Proquest/UMI

[email protected]

Graduate Evaluations

M-F: 8:00am-5:00pm

Valera Hall (VH) 275 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8222

Phone: (818) 677-4800

DPR Senior Analyst

Lani Kiapos

Graduate Evaluator (A-L)

Tanya Kiapos

Graduate Evaluator

Judy Roberts (M-Z)

Thesis & Dissertation Deadlines

Deadlines  for thesis/graduate project and  dissertation.

Students submitting a thesis/project/dissertation: Submitting a date change form will  ONLY  change your date on Solar. Students must modify their grad date in the Electronic Thesis/Dissertation system [ETD] by the planning form deadline of the anticipated semester/term of graduation. 

IMPORTANT:  Failure to meet any of the deadlines results in changing your graduation date to the next available semester, and you will be required to register for A&R 601 for $250. 

IMAGES

  1. Research Masters Thesis Submission Steps

    masters thesis submission

  2. Submit, deposit and share your doctoral thesis (dissertation

    masters thesis submission

  3. Master thesis Final Submission

    masters thesis submission

  4. (PDF) Masters by Research (Thesis)

    masters thesis submission

  5. Master thesis Final Submission

    masters thesis submission

  6. What Is a Master's Thesis & How to Write It: Best Tips

    masters thesis submission

VIDEO

  1. The Thesis

  2. Using AI for your masters thesis

  3. How to make Dissertation? Complete Details about Dissertation / Thesis for Bachelors/ Masters Degree

  4. Thesis Submission Be Like This

  5. Masters Thesis Defence

  6. Thesis Submission Hogyi Aur Dost Ka wada bhi

COMMENTS

  1. Thesis and Dissertation Information

    The Office of Theses and Dissertations is the unit of the Graduate School responsible for certifying that theses and dissertations have been prepared in accordance with these established regulations. Every thesis and dissertation must be reviewed by the Office of Theses and Dissertations for format only and are not edited for spelling, grammar ...

  2. How to Submit a Master's Thesis

    Convert the file into a PDF for eTD submission. If you cannot do this, contact the Office of Theses and Dissertations for assistance. Go to the eTD website and upload the final eTD; and pay $10 thesis fee. The fee can be paid at the Payment Section of the Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Information webpage.

  3. Thesis/Dissertation

    Master's Thesis Approval Form: You are required to upload a completed and signed Master's Thesis Approval Form into the UW ETD Administrator (ProQuest) site; the Approval Form is part of your ETD submission. This Approval Form is a separate PDF and should not be included as a page in the thesis or dissertation itself.

  4. Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation : Graduate School

    Submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be within 60 days of the final exam. Students who miss the 60 day submission deadline are ineligible to register in future terms. The Graduate School uses ProQuest to administer the electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) submission and committee approval process that results in publication in ...

  5. Thesis or dissertation submission

    Submission. Before submitting your thesis/dissertation, you must ensure the following: The thesis is in its final version. Once submitted, revisions cannot be made to your thesis unless you are instructed by Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) to do so. More information on formatting requirements can be found below.

  6. Thesis & Dissertation Filing

    With the written approval from the Graduate School, the thesis or dissertation author should send the proposed addendum and Graduate School approval to the Libraries ( [email protected]) to upload the addendum. Students who wish to add an addendum to their document on the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global Database must contact ProQuest ...

  7. Thesis & Dissertation : Graduate School

    Policy requires the thesis/dissertation be submitted within 60 days of the final exam. The Graduate School uses a service called ProQuest to administer the electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) submission and committee approval process. Once you have made any necessary revisions and the thesis/dissertation is final, you are ready to begin the ...

  8. Thesis & Dissertation Submission

    Information about the thesis and dissertation submission process can be found by navigating the topics below. The Academic Services Coordinator can be contacted via email at: ... Enrollment in 594 Master's Thesis or 794 Doctoral Dissertation ensures continuous enrollment until the thesis or dissertation has been submitted to the Graduate School.

  9. Submission

    Submit your document by selecting the Submit Dissertation/Thesis button. Allow sufficient time for The Graduate School staff to review your document, generally within ten business days of submission. You will be notified via email if revisions are needed, and you must complete all required revisions in a timely manner, usually within 72 hours.

  10. Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation

    University Libraries' TigerPrints ETD Submission Portal. The Graduate School uses the TigerPrints ETD portal for thesis and dissertation submissions for the format review process as well as for electronic publishing and archiving of your work. Ultimately, your work will be available through the University's TigerPrints repository.

  11. Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Guidelines

    As a requirement for graduation, master's students who complete a thesis and all PhD and EdD students must electronically submit their thesis/dissertation to the Graduate School via the ETD Administrator site.Master's theses and doctoral dissertations are stored electronically and accessible in perpetuity through the UB Institutional Repository (UBIR) and ProQuest's dissertations and ...

  12. Digital Submission Requirement

    Convocation. Graduating students earning either master's or doctoral degrees are required to publish their thesis, report, dissertation or treatise digitally and in accordance with certain formatting rules. Students can also request to delay the publication of their thesis, report, dissertation or treatise.

  13. Master's Thesis Submission : Graduate School : UMass Amherst

    Master's Thesis Submission. Completing and submitting your master's thesis is an important part of completing your master's degree. Your thesis must be formatted as prescribed by the Graduate School in the Guidelines for Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations (pdf) and electronically submitted through ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst, the ...

  14. Thesis Submission

    Students must submit the final thesis to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies no later than six months from the date of the defense. However, in order to qualify for a specific degree conferral date, the submission deadline for that semester must be met. See the academic calendar for deadlines. The General Announcements has complete ...

  15. Online Master's and Licentiate Thesis Submission Guidelines

    As part of the thesis deposit, students must complete the ETD@CUA Submission Licensing Statement. This form must be completed by the student before the deposit is considered complete. If you have questions surrounding ETD@CUA, please consult the ETD@CUA website from the Mullen Library or contact the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for ...

  16. Master's Thesis

    Step by Step Submission Process. Beginning November 1, 2008, students submitting Master's theses are required to submit their work in electronic format to Cal Poly's DigitalCommons. Please contact the Graduate Education Office at (805) 756-2328 for information on the submission and review of theses. All of the electronic theses will be made ...

  17. Thesis & Dissertation Preparation & Submission

    The manuscript must be corrected and resubmitted as a new document, and the Dean's Office review process begins anew. All original submission deadlines must be met during the re-submission process in order to graduate that semester. The student should not submit the thesis/dissertation to ProQuest until it has been approved by the Dean's Office.

  18. Submit Your Thesis for Graduate College Review and Deposit

    Prepare your submission. To begin your submission, your thesis should be formatted according to Graduate College thesis requirements and approved by your department. Prepare your PDF. The thesis must be submitted as a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file. See the Thesis Office FAQ for a few tips on the PDF conversion process.*

  19. Dissertation/Thesis Instructions

    Due to COVID-19, the Graduate School of Engineering is not currently requiring students to submit a physical hard copy document of their PhD Dissertation of MS Thesis to our office. Students should initiate the submission process only after they have successfully defended the PhD Dissertation or MS Thesis and made all necessary changes as ...

  20. Electronic Theses and Dissertation Submissions

    Thesis/Dissertation Office, 466 West Circle Drive, 2nd floor, Chittenden Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824Phone: 517-353-3220; Email: [email protected] links below provide instructions on what needs to be completed and approved by the Graduate School in order to graduate.Each semester has a firm submission deadline by which students must submit their

  21. Master's Theses

    Master's Theses . As of August 11, 2020, the submission process has changed. Please refer to the Master's Thesis Information page for information, instructions and links. Masters Theses can be accessed from the Library digital repository (CTDA). Follow. Theses from 2020 PDF.

  22. Thesis & Dissertation

    Step 3. Submit your completed GS30 Thesis & Dissertation Submission form. Access the form in RamWeb, then deliver it to the Graduate School: Ph.D. students must submit the Certificate of Completion from your Survey of Earned Doctorates. If an embargo is required, complete the embargo section on the GS30 form and submit it to the Graduate School.

  23. Dissertations and Theses

    The Graduate School's format review is in place to help the document submission process go smoothly for the student. Format reviews for PhD dissertations and master's theses can be done remotely or in-person. The format review is required at or before the two-week notice of the final defense. Dissertation and Thesis Submission.

  24. Thesis Dissertation Electronic Submission

    Master's Thesis/Signature Page Report on Final Examination for the Master's Degree. $55 Master's Thesis Submission Fee must be paid with the proof of payment uploaded as an attachment to the DocuSign final degree packet before submitting the form to Graduate Division. Final confirmation e-mail from the Proquest/ETD website.

  25. PDF Standards for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations at the

    If you are a Master's student, simply change "A Dissertation Presented" to "A Thesis Presented." The rest of the rules are the same. SUBMISSION: Again, the submission section ("Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies… for the degree of") should look exactly the same for all theses and dissertations. Make sure that

  26. Thesis & Dissertation Deadlines (GRAD Eval)

    Thesis/Dissertation/Graduate Project Final Submission NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to check ETD for any required format change(s). If the student's formatting was rejected, the Graduate Evaluator gives students ONE day to make corrections and to resubmit in ETD.