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Preparing Theses and Dissertations

MASTER'S THESES: Bound Paper Method
  1. Submit an Application for Advanced Degree form
    Submit this form (also available from your department) to the University Graduate School, Kirkwood Hall 111, at least sixty days prior to the desired degree date.
  2. 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 permanent address.
  3. 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.
  4. Submit two bound copies to the University Graduate School:

Follow the formatting section below for binding, paper and layout

You may make arrangements for the bindery to send these copies to us; however, the University Graduate School must receive the bound copies before the degree can be certified and/or awarded. The two copies are for the library, but you may also be required to submit at least one additional bound copy of the thesis to your department. Check with your department for details.

The front matter must appear in the following order:

  1. Title page (mandatory) - see Appendix B
  2. Acceptance page, signed (mandatory) - see Appendix D
    This page confirms the committee's approval and acceptance of your thesis. The page with the original signatures should be included in one of the bound copies after the title page. Photocopies of the signed acceptance may be used in additional bound volumes.
  3. Copyright page (mandatory, but only if you copyright) - see Appendix F
    NOTE: If you choose to copyright your thesis, YOU MUST REGISTER by following these steps provided by the U.S. Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html). If you have trouble, call them at (202) 707-8250. Generally, students copyright their work if they think they might publish it under their own name at a later date. If you are unsure about this, please talk to your advisor.
  4. Dedication (optional)
  5. 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.
  6. Preface (optional)
  7. Abstract, unsigned (optional by department)- see Appendix G
  8. Table of Contents (mandatory)
  9. Lists of tables, figures, appendixes, abbreviations and other supplemental materials (if appropriate)

At the end of the dissertation or thesis, place a:

  • Vita page
  • Your resume/CV, placed at the end of the thesis

 

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