Theses & Dissertations

• If your research involves human subjects, you must obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning the process outlined below. Your IRB-C approval number must be included on the Thesis or Dissertation Proposal Form.
• Consult the Guidelines for Dissertation and Thesis Writers before beginning your thesis or dissertation.
• More information on submitting theses or dissertations can be found at: (links)
• Doctoral dissertation defenses are open to the academic community and are listed on the Doctoral Defense calendar.
• More information about the requirements for theses and dissertations can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

1. Make sure you have an IRB approval number, if needed. Consult the Guidelines for Dissertation and Thesis Writers.
2. File a Thesis Proposal This form should be submitted no later than the first semester of Thesis Research. 
   • This form must be signed and approved by your advisor, committee, and Director of Graduate Studies.
   • Once the form is fully completed, submit it to the Office of Graduate Student Services.
3. Once your proposal has been approved by your advisor, committee, and Director of Graduate Studies, you may proceed with writing your thesis.
4. Some programs require master’s students to defend their theses, while others do not. Follow your program’s policies and procedures for defending and/or submitting your thesis.
5. AFTER you have defended and/or submitted your thesis, submit your coversheet with all the appropriate signatures to the Office of Graduate Student Services. All signatures must be original; no e-mailed or faxed forms will be accepted.
6. Submit an Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Release Form to the Office of Graduate Student Services.
7. Upload your thesis for formatting review by the Graduate School.
8. Complete any edits assigned by the Graduate School.
• These edits MUST be completed and submitted by the last day of the month in which you intend to graduate; otherwise, your thesis will not be approved and you will not be eligible to graduate.*

1. Make sure you have an IRB approval number, if needed. Consult the Guidelines for Dissertation and Thesis Writers.
2. File a Dissertation Proposal. This form should be submitted during the first semester of Thesis Research. 
   • This form must be signed and approved by your advisor, committee, and Director of Graduate Studies.
   • Once the form is fully completed, submit it to the Office of Graduate Student Services.
3. Once your proposal has been approved by your advisor, committee, and Director of Graduate Studies, you may proceed with writing your dissertation.
4. One week prior to your defense date, submit your Doctoral Dissertation Reviewers Report, signed by your committee and advisor.
5. Follow your program’s policies and procedures for defending your dissertation 
6. AFTER you have defended and completed any other steps required by your program, submit your coversheet with all the appropriate signatures to the Office of Graduate Student Services. All signatures must be original; no e-mailed or faxed forms will be accepted.
7. Submit an Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Release Form to the Office of Graduate Student Services.
8. Upload your dissertation for formatting review by the Graduate School.
9. Complete any edits assigned by the Graduate School.
   • These edits MUST be completed by the last day of the month in which you intend to graduate; otherwise your dissertation will not be accepted and you will not be eligible to graduate.*

     * If you plan to graduate in May, the deadline to complete all of the above steps is the first business day of May.

10. Submit your Survey of Earned Doctorates form to the Office of Graduate Student Services.