Preparing Theses and Dissertations
MASTER'S THESES: Electronic Method
If you are a Masters student, you are now able to submit your thesis online through ProQuest.
- Submit an Application for Advanced Degree
Submit this document (also available to print and be submitted by paper) to the University Graduate School. In order to assure all your paperwork is approved in time it is suggested you apply at least 1-2 months before you plan on graduating. In order for you name to appear in the Commencement Program you must submit by March 1st (May Commencement, covering graduations from January-August) or October 1st (December Commencement, covering graduations from September-December) - Verify that the Office of the Registrar has the correct spelling of your name and your correct diploma-mailing address.
The Registrar mails the diploma to your Student Home address. - Also verify that your name does not appear on the University Checklist.
The Registrar will not release your diploma or transcripts until all entries are cleared.
Layout, Deadlines and Other Stuff You Need To Know
You must submit an original signed Acceptance Page to the University Graduate School by the 27th of the month you wish to graduate (except May and December). No proxy signatures are allowed.
In order to be eligible for a degree your thesis must be submitted to ProQuest by the 15th of the month you wish to graduate. You will receive confirmation that your thesis was accepted or any format changes that are needed by the 22nd of the month. If changes are needed a final approved copy must be submitted by the 27th of the month in order to graduate.
The deadlines for May and December will vary and will be supplied to the departments once they are established by the Registrar.
The front matter must appear in the following order:
- Title page (mandatory) - see Appendix B
- Acceptance page, signed (mandatory) - see Appendix E
The Acceptance page in the electronic submission cannot contain signatures. Signatures should only be on the loose copy submitted to the University Graduate School.
- Copyright page (optional) - see Appendix F
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgments (recommended)
NOTE: Depending on your personal inclination, you may wish to include a dedication, a preface, or a set of acknowledgments. The latter are designed to recognize people or agencies to whom you feel grateful for any academic, technical, financial, or personal aid in the preparation of your thesis or dissertation; as a matter of courtesy, you would ordinarily mention the members of your committee here, as well as institutions that provided funding, your typist, or anyone else who helped.
- Preface (optional)
- Abstract, unsigned (optional by department)- see Appendix G
- Table of Contents (mandatory)
- Lists of tables, figures, appendixes, abbreviations and other supplemental materials (if appropriate)
At the end of the dissertation or thesis, place a:
- Your resume/CV, placed at the end of the thesis
(no page number)
