thesis due date

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

Understanding deadlines and requirements, major steps.

Understanding the steps and associated deadlines in the dissertation/thesis and degree conferral process is necessary to establish a successful plan and realistic timeframe. The major steps are:

• Complete draft dissertation
• Schedule exam
• Make revisions
• Submit final electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) to the Graduate School (final submission cannot be prior to your exam date)

Planning Timeline

The Code of Legislation requires students to submit a completed draft for committee review six weeks prior to scheduling the exam. Submission of the final thesis/dissertation must be within 60 days of completing the final exam.  You may not submit your thesis or dissertation prior to completing your M or B exam. Enrollment in future semesters after the date a student passes their M or B exam is not permitted, even if the 60 day submission window falls within a subsequent semester.

December 31, 2023 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in October
• Schedule Exam: First week in November
• Take Exam: Mid November
• Complete Revisions: End of November
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: December 1, 2023

May 26, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in March
• Schedule Exam: First week in April
• Take Exam: Mid April
• Complete Revisions: End of April
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: May 1, 2024

August 31, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Submit Draft to Committee: First week in June
• Schedule Exam: First week in July
• Take Exam: Mid July
• Complete Revisions: End of July
• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: August 1, 2024

December 31, 2024 Conferral Deadlines

• Final Submission Deadline to the Graduate School: December 1, 2024

Use this checklist to guide your process.

• Complete your research.
• Learn about thesis and dissertation formatting guidelines .
• Develop a detailed outline for your approach to writing your dissertation or thesis.
• Write the body of text for the dissertation or thesis.
• Complete your draft thesis/dissertation  six weeks prior to your final examination  and submit to all members of your Special Committee.
• Schedule your final exam  one week before your final examination date , and submit a final draft of your dissertation/thesis to each special committee member.
• Take your final exam (“B” exam), oral dissertation defense for Ph.D. candidates, or (“M” exam) an oral thesis defense for master’s candidates, six to eight weeks before conferral date .
• Make changes as specified by the special committee.
• Submit the final electronic version of dissertation or thesis (ETD) to Graduate School using ProQuest . See  Thesis and Dissertation Submission Process  for instructions.
• Attend  commencement  and celebrate!

Graduate Education

Office of graduate and postdoctoral education, thesis deadlines.

All dates subject to change * Applies only to students who want to submit a thesis and enrollment waiver at the same time.

Tips on Submitting Theses or Dissertations

Please note that thesis deadlines are firm, and if you don't submit yours by the deadline, your graduation may be delayed. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to submitting theses or dissertations:

• Ensure that your document conforms to the requirements set forth in the Thesis Manual (PDF) . See forms that must be submitted with your thesis/dissertation.
• Check your department's deadlines, as they are sometimes earlier than the deadlines listed above.
• Submit your dissertation oral exam announcements to your school/department at least 10 working days prior to the presentation date.
• Email a PDF of your thesis or dissertation to [email protected] to have the format checked. You can also have your format checked by visiting Graduate Education. (Only final copies of documents should be submitted to the electronic thesis and dissertations website.)
• Request for Admission to Ph.D. Candidacy (submit upon completion of departmental requirement)
• Request for Approval of Minor
• Request for Approval of Master's Thesis Topic

For more information, send an email to [email protected] or call 404.894.1610 .

Check our frequently asked questions (FAQ) to see if your question has already been answered. Else, contact [email protected] .

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Important Thesis Dates and Deadlines

A Few Notes On Thesis Deadlines:  

• Your department or thesis committee may have discipline-specific deadlines that take precedence over those published on this page.
• If your department or thesis committee do not have discipline-specific deadlines, you can use the default deadlines published below.
• If your department doesn't have deadlines, or if you and your thesis advisor work out a different timeline, the student and advisor should agree to the specialized deadlines in writing. Absent such a written agreement, UHP can only enforce our general published deadlines (below) in the event of a disagreement.

+ Deadlines for Fall 2024 Theses

• June 25, 2024: Thesis proposal due. The thesis title, brief prospectus, and the committee chair must be identified (other committee members will only be listed on the final form)
• October 28, 2024: In consultation with the committee, the student sets the date for a public presentation or oral exam, if required by the department, which must be at least two weeks before graduation.
• At least five weeks before the public presentation (if required by department) or by November 25, 2024: Committee chair(s) must approve the thesis draft as final enough to circulate to the entire committee. Committee members then have two weeks to read the draft and require revisions. Revisions suggested later than two weeks after committee members receive the draft will be considered advisory only (i.e., not required). Students whose work is deemed by the committee chair(s) to be not ready by this point will likely have their graduation delayed and/or not be able to graduate with Latin Honors.
• At least three weeks before the public presentation (if required by department) or by December 9, 2024: Student receives committee revision requests and begins to incorporate these.
• At least one week before the public presentation (if required by department) or by December 16, 2024: Student submits final thesis for approval.
• At the public presentation (if required by department) or by December 23, 2024: Committee observes and evaluates entire thesis project, submitting digital form. Students whose work is deemed by the committee to be not ready by this point will likely have their graduation delayed and/or not be able to graduate with Latin Honors.

+ Deadlines for Spring 2025 Theses

• December 1, 2024: Thesis proposal due. The thesis title, brief prospectus, and the committee chair must be identified (other committee members will only be listed on the final form)
• March 24, 2025: In consultation with the committee, the student sets the date for a public presentation or oral exam, if required by the department, which must be at least two weeks before graduation.
• At least five weeks before the public presentation (if required by department) or by April 14, 2025: Committee chair(s) must approve the thesis draft as final enough to circulate to the entire committee. Committee members then have two weeks to read the draft and require revisions. Revisions suggested later than two weeks after committee members receive the draft will be considered advisory only (i.e., not required). Students whose work is deemed by the committee chair(s) to be not ready by this point will likely have their graduation delayed and/or not be able to graduate with Latin Honors.
• At least three weeks before the public presentation (if required by department) or by April 28, 2025: Student receives committee revision requests and begins to incorporate these.
• At least one week before the public presentation (if required by department) or by May 12, 2025: Student submits final thesis for approval.
• At the public presentation (if required by department) or by May 19, 2025: Committee observes and evaluates entire thesis project, submitting digital form. Students whose work is deemed by the committee to be not ready by this point will likely have their graduation delayed and/or not be able to graduate with Latin Honors.

+ Deadlines for Fall 2025 Theses

Deadlines pending.

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Electronic Theses and Dissertations Submission at GW

Welcome to the George Washington University’s Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) website. This website is a central resource for all of your ETD needs from formatting your manuscript to submission using the ProQuest ETD Administrator .

Learn what an ETD is and the benefits of completing one.

Find GW’s ETD approval deadlines and degree conferral dates by semester for dissertations and master’s theses. Download the ETD Access Approval Form . Also view our Checklist for Graduation .

Prepare for Submission and Publication

Consider several publication topics while you are writing your manuscript, including copyright , Creative Commons Licenses , patent concerns , publisher issues , and publishing options .

Formatting Your Content

Find University formatting guidelines and requirements specific to each GW school. Learn about digital accessibility , writing style , and Microsoft Word and LaTeX formatting .

Steps in Submission and the Approval Process

Refer to our guide for best practices for submitting your ETD, and complete the submission and review process after your faculty advisor signs off on the final version of your manuscript.

• Visit the ProQuest ETD Administrator site .

FAQs and Online Resources

Provides basic ETD information and process overviews to help answer common questions. Use library and Web resources to search for dissertations and theses from GW and other institutions.

Refer to our list of contacts for general questions, school-specific ETD guidance, and technical assistance in submitting your ETD.

• General ETD and submission questions: [email protected]
• Questions about copyright: [email protected]

Schedule an appointment with the Library Copyright Compliance Officer

• For all other questions, contact your graduate school

Graduate College Division of Research

Thesis & dissertation.

Please make sure to read the Thesis & Dissertation Guide in its entirety, as it is crucial and the best guide available.  An application of a Thesis or Dissertation Committee must be submitted once a committee has been selected. If there is a change of committee member(s) at any time, a Change of Committee form must be submitted. Lastly, a Certification of Completion of Thesis or Dissertation form must be submitted immediately after a successful defense. Please find the forms below and deadline information.

For any assistance or any questions regarding the following, please email [email protected] .

• Creating your Thesis/Dissertation Draft
• Formatting Guidelines for Thesis/Dissertation Draft
• Important Deadlines

S chedule an appointment by clicking on the icon below.

All thesis/dissertation drafts (preliminary rough draft and final draft) must be submitted through ProQuest. If you need assistance uploading your draft, please email [email protected] .

*Please note that all students are required to submit their thesis or dissertation (T/D) draft for a formatting check by Preliminary Draft Deadline. Failure to do so will result in the T/D title not being included in the commencement program. No exceptions.

**All thesis/dissertation students must inform the Graduate College of their T/D defense date by completing the electronic defense form .

***The thesis/dissertation defense and any revisions recommended by the thesis/dissertation committee must be completed before submitting the Certification of Completion of Thesis/Dissertation Form. Once the form is signed and submitted to the Graduate College via email [email protected], the student will not be able to make any changes to the content without further approval from the thesis/dissertation committee.

Extension requests regarding the preliminary draft deadline or the thesis/dissertation defense date must be received a week before the actual deadline. Please contact the Graduate College's Electronic Thesis/Dissertation (ETD) Team at [email protected] .

Note:  Per the Graduate Catalog, students who have successfully completed all the requirements for their degree will be required to graduate in the term during which they satisfy such requirements.

For additional information, please visit the General Graduation Information of the Student Policies Publication: https://www.utrgv.edu/academics/catalogs/index.htm

Thesis/Dissertation Forms:

• Application for Dissertation Committee
• Application for Thesis Committee
• Change of Committee Form
• Electronic Defense Form
• Certification of Completion of Thesis or Dissertation
• Certification of Completion of Doctoral Project
• Dissertation/Thesis Embargo Request
• Thesis/Dissertation Final Draft Deadline Extension Form

Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)

As a requirement of graduation, all doctoral candidates must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates .

Useful tools and information:

• Thesis Formatting Guide
• Dissertation Formatting Guide
• Creative Writing Formatting Guide
• Quick formatting tips for Word
• Shortcut Keys Cheat Sheet
• T/D Progress Checklist
• Upcoming Workshops
• Need help creating your ProQuest account

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Am I allowed to have a committee member from outside UTRGV?

Yes, but that person may not be your Chair. If you want someone on your committee who is not employed by UTRGV, you will need to include that person’s curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the approval process.

What if one of my committee members has left UTRGV?

If one of your committee members has left UTRGV, contact your GPC for his/her recommendations for a new member. If that committee member is not your Chair, has not retired, and has not left the education field, he/she can still be part of your committee. If your Committee Chair has left UTRGV you must select a new Chair from the UTRGV faculty and submit a Change of Committee Form which will need to be signed by your GPC, the new members, and the Associate Dean of the Graduate College. We strongly suggest that you use DocuSign for all forms that need signatures. Link to form: Thesis and Dissertation Comittee Form

How do I send something via DocuSign?

Link to DocuSign: Docusign Access

If you have not used DocuSign before you, will need to activate your esign account and set up your profile. There is an IT Chatbot on the landing page if you need any assistance.

Do I have all of my credits?

Please reach out to [email protected] or to your GPC to verify that status of your credits

What are the steps for submitting my first draft, or open a ProQuest account?

• Find UTRGV under “Select Your Institution”: it is listed as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Create account with name (name on file with registrar’s office), student ID, etc. Include two emails: personal and UTRGV
• Select access options: recommend immediate release
• Institutional repository: recommend “make immediately available”
• Enter T/D details – language, title, abstract/li>
• Graduation information: date, degree, college, keywords (may use up to six)
• List committee members
• Upload the file: We recommend converting to pdf prior to uploading so you can verify formatting. This is where you indicate if you have copyright documents.
• Notes to Administrator (formatting editor)
• Option to register copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office, or ProQuest will handle it (for a fee)
• Order copies of your draft
• 1Final review of your submission: do this before you submit!

Is there ProQuest FAQ page?

Link to ProQuest FAQ page

When do I submit my Thesis or Dissertation draft for formatting review?

Click the link to see the scheduled due dates for the first and final Thesis or Dissertation draft deadlines: Thesis or Dissertation draft deadlines

Reminder: Please do not open a new account in ProQuest. Make sure that you make a note of your login and password for future uploads. You may submit a T/D draft to ProQuest for review by one of the formatting editors as many times as you consider necessary.

Can I get writing support for my Thesis/Dissertation?

The UTRGV Writing Center can help. Services:

• Submit your T/D draft online and receive feedback
• Schedule appointments for sessions – online, in person or, walk-ins (Tues & Weds only)
• Sessions are 30 minutes long and each student can schedule up to four sessions per week.

Edinburg campus location: ESTAC 3.119 Brownsville campus location: BLIBR 3.206 Email: [email protected] Website: UTRGV Writing Center

How can I get help with formatting?

You can meet with a Graduate College Formatting Editor either online or in person at our office on the Edinburg campus. You can schedule an online appointment by using the online scheduler or you may call our office to schedule an in-person appointment (at the Edinburg campus), at (956) 665-3661. We are in the Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158 (EMASS).

Click the link to schedule an appointment. You can select an available day and time that works for you. Schedule an appointment

What is an inverted pyramid? What does that have to do with my Thesis/Dissertation Title?

An inverted pyramid formatting style is having the longest line of your title first followed by progressively shorter lines. The Thesis/Dissertation Title on the Committee Page and the Title Page must be identical, word for word, double spaced, and written in uppercase.

A visual example of an inverted pyramid:

What date should be on my Title page and Committee page?

The date on your Title and Committee pages should be the month and year of your actual graduation ceremony, not the date you completed your Thesis/Dissertation. It will be located centered at the bottom 1” margin of the page without commas. <month year&gr;

How do I format page numbers?

Page numbers should be centered at the bottom 1” margin.

The formatting standards require the use of two separate page numbers: Roman numerals (e.g. iii, iv, v) for the preliminary pages beginning with the abstract page, and Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3) for the chapters and supplementary pages. The font used should also be in Times New Roman, 12 point.

To achieve separate page numbers in Word, complete the following steps:

• At the bottom of the page before you want to switch numbering systems, click on Layout > Breaks > and create Section Break on the Next Page. Turn off the Link to Previous button in the Header & Footer Design Tab.
• Note: A Section Break must be inserted between the Copyright Page and the following page and the Link to Previous button turned off so that the page number does not appear on the Title, Committee, or Copyright pages.
• Double click on the footer in the first section where you want the page numbers to start.
• Insert a Page Number on the bottom center of the Page, as mentioned above.
• Click Page Number > Format Page Number.
• Choose the correct number format. Change Start at to "iii”.
• On the next section, your first chapter section, double-click the footer and choose Format Page Number.
• Choose the correct number format, and change Start at to "1" for your page 1.

How do I format block quotes?

If you need to include a long direct quote of three lines or longer it should be set apart from the main text in a block quote format. This means indented on the left and right sides and we recommend justifying the text.

Sample of a block quote: Jimmy Buffett gives this advice to recent college graduates:

Do I need to have a List of Tables or a List of Figures?

If you have more than one table and/or figure within your document, a List of Tables/List of Figures must be included following the Table of Contents.

Format: The tables and/or figures and their titles must be listed in order with appropriate page referencing. Titles must be the exact title from the text. If the title is more than one line, only the first sentence should be used. If the list of tables/figures is more than one page, subsequent pages should be set to the 1” margin.

Where should my titles be located for my tables and figures?

Table titles should be located above the tables and be single spaced if more than one line in length. Figure titles should be located below the image and also be single spaced if more than one line in length. Because tables are read from the top down, Table titles must always be placed directly above the table. Because figures are read from the bottom up, figure titles must always be placed directly below the figure.

How should my references be formatted?

Unless the style manual used by your department/college requires something different, references must be organized in alphabetical order and must be formatted using hanging indent (first line is not indented, but subsequent lines are). Lines within each entry should be single spaced; each reference should be double spaced.

What is a Vita? What do I need to include in my Vita?

A vita (formerly called Biographical Sketch) is the final page of the Thesis/Dissertation document. It is a synopsis of your educational achievements and degrees with dates and the school(s) where the degrees were earned, including the degree currently being attained. You may also include your research experience, publications, awards, presentations, honors, academic and professional employment, military service, and other additional details. The vita is written in paragraph form, in past tense, in the third person, and should include the author’s personal email address.

How many times may I upload a Thesis/Dissertation draft to ProQuest for a review by the Graduate College?

You may upload a T/D draft to ProQuest for a review by one of the formatting editors as many times as you need, but you are required to upload your first and last draft by the posted due dates.

After you submit your preliminary draft, please do not open a new/another account in ProQuest. On ProQuest, under “PDF and Supplementary Files”, there should be a “revise pdf” option. This is what you will click to upload all drafts after your initial submission.

If you open an additional account, it could prevent the Graduate College from seeing the draft immediately, which will delay review and possibly add an additional month for the review process. Make a note of your login and password for future uploads.

How long does it take for the Graduate College to review my Thesis/Dissertation?

Theses/Dissertations will be reviewed in the order they are received. We hope to have a response within a week of submission. You will be notified by email when your draft is reviewed with any revisions that need to be made. If major revisions are required, these must be addressed, and the draft resubmitted for review via ProQuest; we recommend resubmitting within two weeks. Do not wait until the final draft deadline to resubmit a draft the Graduate College indicates needs major revisions.

Where do I find content-related requirements?

You and your committee are responsible for your document’s quality and content. For questions concerning the content of your work or requirements, you should ask your committee chair or department GPC who is familiar with your work and the practices in your field.

The Graduate College office has formatting editors who can help you understand the UTRGV formatting guidelines. However, for writing and organizing your project, your committee would be the best source of guidance. Formatting = Graduate College. Content = Committee/Writing Center.

WThe Graduate College Formatting Editor tells me one thing about the format of my draft and my Chair tells me another. Who is right?

The matter of formatting can be subjective, and there may not always be a clear-cut right or wrong approach, though it is important to follow the fundamental guidelines outlined in UTRGV's formatting guide. Our goal is to do our very best to fulfill the formatting requests of your committee. We recognize various programs might have distinct formatting standards or templates, and we urge you to communicate with the Graduate College by email at [email protected] should you have any specific queries or apprehensions about formatting. Moreover, you can also reach out to your formatting editors for additional support.

When do I need to defend?

Your Defense must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to final draft deadline. Announcements must be made to Grad College at least a week prior to the defense date. Submit announcement to [email protected] .

Do I still need to submit a draft by the preliminary draft deadline if I submitted a draft last semester?

Yes, all students should submit a draft by the preliminary draft deadline in the semester in which they intend to graduate.

I submitted by the final deadline. I’m done now, right?

Not necessarily. You may still have some revisions to make pending review of your final draft submission.

My final draft is approved. What are my next steps?

Verify with your GPC that all paperwork for graduation has been signed and received by the GC. Ensure the GC has a copy of you Application for T/D Committee and the Certificate of Completion forms. If you are a doctoral student, don’t forget to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates: SED link

Can I make changes after my Thesis/Dissertation has been cleared for formatting?

Once your draft has been cleared for formatting by the Graduate College and your Certificate of Completion has been submitted, your draft will be approved by the Graduate College. At this point, no revisions or changes will be allowed to your document. If extenuating circumstances arise, please have your Committee Chair reach out to [email protected] .

How long does it take to actually get published?

It will take approximately three months from graduation before publication takes place. The Degree Audit office must verify student records before the Graduate College can send drafts to ProQuest. It takes about two months for ProQuest to prepare for production.

How do I order more printed copies of my Thesis or Dissertation?

Reach out ProQuest Customer Service: 1-800-521-0600 ProQuest Support

I thought I was going to graduate this semester, but I won’t be ready. What should I do?

If your research isn’t complete or you just won’t be ready to defend, you will need to transfer your graduation date. Please send a quick email to [email protected] to advise the Graduate College. Officially, this form will need to be completed so your records may be updated: Transfer Graduation Date Form

I thought I was done with everything, but Degree Works indicates I am incomplete. Why?

It is possible you have not completed all of your requirements, please reach out to [email protected] to verify. You may also reach out to [email protected] to verify.

Thesis and Dissertation Videos and PowerPoints

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Guide to CaltechTHESIS

• Caltech Theses

Annual Deadlines

Letters of completion.

• Submission Information
• Grad Office Regulations and Required Forms
• Templates and Formatting Information
• Thesis Updates and Corrections
• CaltechDATA for Supplementary Material
• Thesis Embargo Policies and Forms
• Copyright Considerations
• Publishers' Policies on Publications in Theses
• Printing & Binding
• Senior Thesis Deposits
• 3MT: Caltech's Three Minute Thesis Competition This link opens in a new window

Author Services and Thesis Librarian

Library Staff

Final 2025 deadlines

Please call the Graduate Office if you have any questions about these dates, or if you know you will not be able to meet theses deadlines! It is easier for them to remove you from the graduation list than to add you! They may also be able to make special accommodations, especially if your defense date is what is causing the delay.

If you are in a hurry to get your Letter of Completion from the Registrar, it is your responsibility to notify the Grad Office. The best time to do so is right after you have deposited your thesis.

IMPORTANT:   The final corrected version of a thesis must be uploaded to CaltechTHESIS by the fifth week (~2 months) of the succeeding term if the candidate defended his or her thesis during the previous summer or the first and second terms; or two weeks before the degree is to be conferred if the candidate defended during the month of May.

(Please check official academic calendar as needed)

• Per the Graduate Office, "the defense should be scheduled (i.e., posted) in REGIS by May 16 (the last day to schedule PhD examinations) and can be taken any time up to the last day to present the final thesis (May 30) as long as the thesis is ready to submit and all committee members have signed off" .
• Last day for presenting (defending) graduate theses (PhD and EngineerD): Friday, May 30, 2025
• Deadline for depositing thesis into CaltechTHESIS is always about two weeks before commencement in order to participate in current year's ceremony:  Monday, June 2, 2025
• Last faculty meeting of the academic year: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
• Commencement: Friday, June 13, 2025
• Your official graduation year will be 2025, even if you defended in 2024 but did not graduate in June.   Please mark your thesis title page accordingly.
• Once all your PhD requirements have been met, you will be able to download a letter of completion from REGIS, which you will be able to share with any future employers.

Getting your Letter of Completion

If you are in a hurry to get your Letter of Completion from the Registrar, it is your responsibility to notify both the Grad Office and Library.  The best time to do so is right after you have deposited your thesis into CaltechTHESIS.

• It may return the record to you for corrections, sending a separate detailed email detailing what's needed.
• You must make the corrections within the record and upload corrected files as needed.  Resubmit the record for final review.
• Once the CaltechTHESIS deposit is successful, the Library will notify the Grad Office, and then waits to receive the thesis' final approval.
• If no longer have access to REGIS, contact either the Grad Office or the Registrar's Office, where someone can check your account for you.
• Once the Grad Office has given final approval for your thesis, the Library will be notified, and staff will update your CaltechTHESIS record.  That last action will trigger an automated email to the Registrar, who will add the final updates to your REGIS account, usually 1-3 days after the email has been received.
• Your Letter of Completion should be generated in PDF format and available for download within 12-24 hours after the Registrar has updated your record.  Contact the Grad Office or Registrar to retrieve it for you if you no longer have access to REGIS.
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• Last Updated: Aug 29, 2024 10:27 AM
• URL: https://library.caltech.edu/theses

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Submission Deadlines

Thesis / project report signature page submission deadlines.

The end date of each submission period is the last date for a signature page to be completed by . Allow enough time for each committee member to view the DocuSign email and submit their electronic signature, so that the PDF can then be sent to the college designee to sign and complete. Check with your department about any deadlines they may have that are before these dates. 

Doctoral Candidates

Dates below are for Doctoral candidates ONLY.

Center for Digital Scholarship

Dissertation Deadlines

Deadlines, 2024-25.

*Draft reviews are optional. The draft review service is available during the first few weeks of each quarter, not later and not during the interim. If you plan to submit your dissertation at the beginning of a quarter, you may want to request a draft review during the previous quarter, even if your draft is incomplete.

**The dissertation defense and any changes recommended by the dissertation committee must occur before you ask for departmental approval. Ask your program administrator how much time is needed for departmental review. Some departments require a few weeks; others require a few days. The departmental review must take place before you submit your dissertation.

***Do not submit without uploading a completed and signed Departmental Approval Form. You must upload the completed and signed Departmental Approval Form before you file your dissertation , and you must file before the 4:30 p.m. submission deadline in order to graduate that quarter.

Please note that departments have additional deadlines. Contact your department to be sure you meet departmental requirements. Contact your dean of students with questions about registration or divisional requirements for graduation .

Deadlines, 2025-26

Deadlines, 2026-27

Submission date and extension of time

This page outlines the final date by which your thesis should be submitted, the expected completion date and extensions of time. 

Full-time students

Maximum submission date.

This is the final date by when your thesis should be submitted to the Examination Schools. Check whether you are required to submit sooner by any funding body supporting your studies.

The maximum submission date is usually 12 terms for DPhil students and nine terms for MLitt or MSc (by Research) students from the start date of your studies and is amended accordingly based on any suspension of status or extension of time. The Graduate Studies Assistant in your department / faculty will be able to tell you your maximum submission date.

Expected completion date

The expected completion date is the maximum submission date plus six months. This is to allow adequate time for your viva examination, and if requested by the examiners, to undertake any minor corrections required and to submit your revised thesis.

The extra six months is not additional time for you to complete your research as your maximum submission date remains the same.

Extension of time: DPhil students

You are expected to submit your thesis within 12 terms of starting your course. You will lose your DPhil status if you have failed to complete your thesis within 12 terms of being admitted as a research student, and will no longer be registered as a student of the University.

Extension of time: MLitt and MSc by Research students

You are expected to submit your thesis within nine terms of starting your course. You will lose your status as a MLitt or MSc by Research student if you have failed to complete your thesis within nine terms of being admitted as a research student, and will no longer be registered as a student of the University.

Applying for an extension: all students

In exceptional circumstances extensions of time can be given for up to six terms for DPhil students, and up to three terms for MLitt and MSc by Research students. Your department/faculty/division will normally only approve one term of extension at a time.

If you are funded by a research council or charity you may need to make a separate application to the funding body in parallel to that being made within the University. Your funding body’s regulations for extension of time will not necessarily be the same as those of the University. Ask your department for advice on extensions in the first instance.

If your application for an extension of time is declined by your department or faculty and you are dissatisfied with this decision, you can follow the University Student Complaints Procedure .

Part-time students

The maximum submission date is usually 24 terms (eight years) from the start date of your studies and is increased accordingly based on any suspension of status or extension. The Graduate Studies Assistant in your department / faculty will be able to tell you your maximum submission date.

You are expected to submit your thesis within seven or at most eight years of starting your doctoral course. You will lose your DPhil status if you have failed to complete your thesis within 24 terms of being admitted as a research student, and will no longer be registered as a student of the University.

In exceptional circumstances extensions of time can be given for up to three terms. Your department/faculty/division will normally only approve one term of extension at a time.

If you are funded by a research council or charity you may need to make a separate application to the funding body in parallel to that being made within the University. Your funding body’s regulations for extension of time will not necessarily be the same as those of the University.

If your application for an extension of time is declined by your department or faculty and you are dissatisfied with this decision, you can follow the  University Student Complaints Procedure .

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College of Graduate Studies

Thesis and Dissertation Due Dates

Completing a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation requires planning and attention to deadlines. Work closely with your committee and/or graduate advisor to meet your departmental deadlines for committee review and the defense of your thesis or dissertation. Theses and dissertations should be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies only after you have applied for graduation, you have defended your work and after all members of your thesis or dissertation committee have approved your thesis or dissertation after any requested changes arising from your defense.

There are two important deadlines to consider:

• Submitting your thesis or dissertation for initial review to the College of Graduate Studies
• The formal publication of your thesis through ProQuest

Theses and dissertations are reviewed by the College of Graduate Studies for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Theses and dissertations must be submitted to [email protected] no later than the deadlines below.  Thesis and dissertations must be submitted by 11:59 for review.  Requirements for publication must be met by 3:00 p.m.  No late submissions will be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Some departments themselves may set earlier due dates.  The dates below are the final deadlines for the College of Graduate Studies. Always check with your advisor to make sure they do not have internal departmental guidelines.

The scheduled deadlines for upcoming semesters are as follows:

Deadlines for submitting your thesis or dissertation to ProQuest for publication (see Thesis Guidelines for instructions). NOTE: Submission to ProQuest publication dates are the same for theses and dissertations.

Because deadlines are posted well in advance of each thesis cycle, extensions of the deadlines are not granted.

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ETD Submission Deadlines By Semester

1 Deadline to Defend : All defenses for students expecting graduation in a particular semester must take place by the date noted in the above table. All students must notify the Graduate School of the defense date by filling out the Defense Notice Form  and submitting it to the Graduate School before the day of defense. Defenses can be in-person only, virtual only, or hybrid (in-person and virtual). The Defense Notice Form should clearly specify whether the defense will be in-person, virtual, or hybrid (in-person and virtual).  Students who defend after the above noted last date to defend for a particular semester will be eligible for graduation in the next semester. For example, if the June 28, 2024, deadline to defend in Summer 2024 is missed, the graduation date will move to Fall 2024 semester/Dec. 2024.

2 Deadline to Submit Full Draft for Formatting Review : By 5:00 pm, close of business on the date noted in the above table, the student must submit to the Sr. Editor of the Graduate School for review the full draft of a thesis, dissertation, doctoral essay, or lecture recital essay draft consisting of (1) unnumbered front matter; (2) lower-case Roman numeral page number front matter; and (3) chapters, references, appendices, etc., formatted per Graduate School formatting guidelines. The main content of the full draft due on this day should be close to final. Students may continue to make minor revisions to the draft after this date, but no new data or sections should be added at this stage. The graduation date for students who do not submit a full draft to the Graduate School for review by the date noted above will have the graduation date moved to the next semester. 

3 Deadline for Producing Final PDF & 3 Required ETD Forms : By 5:00 pm, close of business on the date noted in the above table, the formatting review must be completed; final PDF produced; and the three required ETD forms, i.e., the  Certificate of Defense Approval Form , the ETD Final Content Approval Form and the ETD Availability Agreement Form, must be submitted to the Graduate School by the date noted in the above table. The Graduate School must receive all three required forms fully signed for the student to receive permission from the Sr. Editor to upload the final ETD in the Scholarship@Miami ETD repository. The graduation date moves to the next semester for students who do not complete the formatting review with the Sr. Editor; produce the final PDF; and submit the Certificate of Defense Approval Form, ETD Final Content Approval Form, and the ETD Availability Agreement Form to the Graduate School by the date noted above--no exceptions. 

4 Deadline for Completion : By 5:00 pm, close of business on the date noted in the above table, students expecting graduation in a particular semester must have uploaded the final PDF in the Scholarship@Miami ETD repository; confirmed that the required  Certificate of Defense Approval Form , ETD Final Content Approval Form , and ETD Availability Agreement Form are submitted to the Graduate School; and completed online items, if required. The graduation date moves to the next semester for students who have not uploaded the final PDF in the Scholarship@Miami ETD repository; confirmed submission of the three required ETD forms to the Graduate School; or completed online items, if required, by the date noted in the above table--no exceptions.

The above deadlines are set to help students plan ahead, however, students can begin the final formatting review process with the Sr. Editor any time before the posted deadline dates. Questions about the ETD submission process can be sent to [email protected] .

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Thesis, Project, Dissertation Information

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Contact Graduate Admissions

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Division of Academic Affairs

Submitting your electronic Thesis, Project, or Dissertation

Congratulations, Stan State graduate students, on reaching this important milestone of getting ready to submit and publish the final version of your thesis/project/dissertation in electronic format.

Have you completed all the required steps?

Before proceeding to the submission process, please take a minute to review the checklist below to ascertain that you have completed all required steps in the thesis/project/dissertation clearance process.

• My thesis/project/dissertation is written and formatted in conformity with the University's Master's Thesis/Project & Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines .
• My committee chair has approved the final version of my thesis/project/dissertation ( Template A ,   Template B ) and electronically signed the Approval Form .
• I have enrolled in the  Thesis/Project/Dissertation Submission Canvas Portal

Fall 2024: December 10th, 2024

Spring 2025: May 16th, 2025

Summer 2025: August 12th, 2025

In order  to  clear for graduation in a given term, students must adhere to these deadlines .

Canvas Submission Portal

Consultation Appointment

Library Resources

Thesis/Project/Dissertation Information Session

• September 25th
• 4 to 5 p.m.

Faculty Drop-In

• 4 to 5 p.m.
• 12 to 1 p.m.

Student Drop-In

• October 30th

Template A Workshop

• October 16th
• 3 to 4 p.m.

Template B and Approval Form Workshop

• 12 to 1 p.m.

Thesis/Project/Dissertation Final Check In

• 2:30 to 4 p.m.
• 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Updated: August 28, 2024

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Thesis and Dissertation Filing Workshops

Summer 2024.

The Office of Academic & Postdoctoral Services hosts workshops and drop-in sessions for graduate students filing a thesis or dissertation to learn about the electronic filing process (ETD process). Students also learn about specific formatting requirements and have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the administrative analysts that facilitate the online filing of theses and dissertations during the workshops and drop-ins listed below.

Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Filing Workshops

Held via Zoom

These workshops will inform students about policies and procedures related to filing theses and dissertations. These sessions will cover information for both master’s and doctoral filers. All Graduate students who are filing this year are encouraged to attend.

Monday, August 12, 2024 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (PT) REGISTER for August 12 ~~~ Tuesday, August 27, 2024 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (PT) REGISTER for August 27 ~~~ Registration required to attend and receive Zoom meeting link and information.

Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Filing Drop-In Hours

Graduate students who are finalizing the formatting of their thesis or dissertation are welcome to attend a drop-in hour and receive assistance and feedback about filing and formatting requirements from Academic & Postdoctoral Services Analysts.

Monday, August 19, 2024 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (PT) REGISTER for August 19 ~~~ Thursday, September 5, 2024 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (PT) REGISTER for September 5 ~~~ Registration required to attend and receive Zoom meeting link and information.

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Spring degree dates & deadlines

May 2025 graduation.

Graduate Research Hub

• Being a candidate
• Finishing on time

Find out about thesis submission deadlines, how to apply for an extension, and what options are available if you’re having difficulty during your enrolment and need more time to submit.

If you’ve been directed to this page after having an extension or lapse approved, please follow these links to find out what you need to know.

• Approved extension of candidature
• Approved lapse

Thesis due dates

You are expected to submit your thesis for examination within your expected course duration:

• PhD/doctoral candidate: within three years (part time six years)
• Masters candidate: within 18 months (part time three years).

Your expected thesis submission date may change during your candidature, for example if you take leave of absence, change your research degree, or change between full and part time study.

You can check your expected thesis submission date through  my.unimelb .

If your research has not gone to plan and you need more time, there is the facility to extend the expected course duration to the maximum course duration as part of your progress review meeting:

• four years (part time eight years) for PhD or doctorate.
• two years (part time four years) for masters.

If you had commenced, but not reached your maximum course duration by 1 March 2020 your maximum course duration has been extended by 6 months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If this applies to you, your duration will be:

• 4 years 6 months (9 years part time) for a PhD or doctoral degree.
• 2 years 6 months (5 years part time) for a masters by research degree.

Permission to submit after your maximum course duration

In limited circumstances, you may be granted approval to submit your thesis after your maximum course duration date; that is after all possible extensions to your candidature have been exhausted.

There are two options that may allow you to submit your thesis after your maximum course duration :

• Lapse : this option applies if your candidature was  confirmed on or before 31 December 2017.
• Late submission : applies if your candidature was confirmed on or after 1 January 2018.

If you are experiencing difficulties during your candidature that may affect your ability to progress, consider these steps.

• Talk to your principal supervisor
• Make a student advice appointment with your local graduate research administrator
• Consider making changes to your candidature (eg take leave or change to part time)
• If you have a chronic health condition, you are encouraged to register with Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS). SEDS can create an adjustment plan/document that recognises your needs but does not necessarily disclose your condition. The academic adjustment plan supports you when negotiating your study adjustments with your supervisors. You can refer to your adjustment plan when making leave or other relevant applications, rather than requiring separate medical certificates. If you register with SEDS you may also be eligible to apply for prospective periods of leave to account for any anticipated recurring short absences.  See the Managing leave for ongoing chronic health conditions section of Taking Leave
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Honors Program

Thesis overview.

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For May 2024 graduates, approved theses are due by April 26th, in Quest. For August 2024 graduates, approved theses are due by August 31st, in Quest. For December 2024 graduates, approved theses are due by December 6th, in Quest.

Your Honors thesis represents the culmination of your Honors academic career. When you are finished, you will have produced something that is a unique contribution to your field. While you will work with multiple people who will support your efforts, your thesis is your own . For many students, the thesis is the first time they have attempted a project of this scale, so it should be viewed as a learning experience —no one starts out knowing how to do a thesis!

Depending on your major and your academic and professional plans, your thesis may consist of a traditional research project, piece of scholarship , or a creative product . The exact requirements (such as format or page length) are set by major departments and Honors advisors, and your thesis must include some written document that will be submitted to the Honors Program via the Quest system and must be approved by the thesis supervisor and Honors advisor.

Required thesis submission – All graduating Honors students are required to submit the final version of your Honors thesis/project , after all updates have been made, in the Quest system for approval from your thesis supervisor and Honors advisor.  Please allow time for approval of your thesis supervisor and Honors advisor by the deadline above based on your graduation date.

Other requirements

Graduation as an Honors Scholar requires at least 3 Honors credits toward your thesis. These credits may be through independent study or some other course in your major; you and your Honors advisor will designate your thesis credits on your Honors Scholar Preliminary and Final Plans of Study. Some departments require more than 3 thesis credits , typically in the form of a two-semester sequence. Check with your major Honors advisor on your thesis requirements.

You will designate a thesis supervisor to mentor you through your project. This information, along with your thesis title and abstract, will be included in your Honors Thesis Plan by your final semester, but you should establish this relationship much further in advance.

Thesis support

If you have questions about the thesis process, talk with your Honors advisor—they will have the most accurate information for your major. You can also contact Dr. Jaclyn Chancey , Enrichment Programs Director for Curriculum, Assessment, and Planning.

Getting started

Preparing for the honors thesis

What is the honors thesis?

The honors thesis is the culmination of Barrett students’ honors experience and their entire undergraduate education.

The honors thesis is an original piece of work developed by a student under the guidance of a thesis committee. It is an opportunity for students to work closely with faculty on important research questions and creative ideas. The honors thesis can have either a research or creative focus, and enables students to design, execute and present an intellectually rigorous project in their chosen field of study.

The first step in the honors thesis process is the completion of a thesis preparation workshop.

These workshops are places for you to brainstorm topics, learn about the honors thesis process, gain feedback on your ideas, ask questions, and create a to-do list for your honors thesis. Completion of a thesis preparation workshop is required before enrolling in thesis credits, and we encourage you to participate in a workshop by the first semester of your junior year.

There are two options for completing a thesis preparation workshop.

Enroll in the online self-paced workshop 

Or, sign up to attend a live workshop offered in the fall or spring semester:

Thurs Sept 5th 12pm–1pm Barrett Suite, Lantana Hall 121 (Polytechnic campus) No RSVP required

Mon Sept 9th 4pm–5pm Barrett Suite, Athena Conference Room (West Valley campus) RSVP

Wed Sept 11th 4:30pm–6pm Barrett Student Center, Vista Del Sol (Tempe campus) RSVP

Wed Sept 18th 11am–12pm Barrett Suite, Athena Conference Room (West Valley campus) RSVP

Tues Sept 24th 3:30pm–5pm Edson College focus Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Thurs Sept 26th 9:30am–10:30am Barrett Suite, Athena Conference Room (West Valley campus) RSVP

Thurs Sept 26th 4:30pm–6pm Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Mon Sept 30th 10am–11am Barrett Suite, Athena Conference Room (West Valley campus) RSVP

Wed Oct 2nd 4:30pm–6pm College of Health Solutions focus Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Wed Oct 2nd 5pm–6pm Virtual (Zoom) No RSVP Required

Tues Oct 8th 5pm–6:30pm Barrett Student Center, Vista Del Sol (Tempe campus) RSVP

Fri Oct 25th 4:30pm–6pm Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Tues Nov 12th 5:00pm–6:30pm Barrett Student Center, Vista Del Sol (Tempe campus) RSVP

Thurs Nov 14th 4pm–5pm Virtual (Zoom) No RSVP Required

Fri Nov 22nd 4:30pm–6pm Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Thurs Feb 20th 3:30pm–5pm Cronkite School focus Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Tues Feb 26th 12pm–1:30pm Watts College focus Virtual (Zoom) RSVP

Ready to take the next step?

Following the completion of a thesis preparation workshop, Barrett students should schedule a thesis advising appointment with their Barrett Honors Advisor to discuss and review the guidebook, checklist and the due dates that correspond with the semester they intend to complete their undergraduate degree.

Honors Thesis Student Guidebook

Please explore the resources available to you within this guidebook to ensure your success. Refer to the checklist on page 13 to continue moving forward in the process.

View the Student Guidebook

Student Guidebook sections

What is the honors thesis.

The honors thesis project is an original piece of work by a student, in collaboration with their thesis director and committee. Most students complete an honors thesis within their major department but may choose a topic outside of the major. Each department may set its own standards for methodology (i.e., empirical, comparative, or descriptive), project length, and so on. Review the relevant Opportunities in the Major documents created by the Faculty Honors Advisors (FHAs)  here , and contact the FHAs in your area(s) of interest for additional information.

A thesis can be:

• A scholarly research project involving analysis that is presented in written form. Represents a commitment to research, critical thinking, and an informed viewpoint of the student.
• A creative project that combines scholarship and creative work in which the primary outcome consists of something other than a written document but includes a written document that supports the creative endeavor and involves scholarly research.
• A group project that brings together more than one Barrett student to work on a thesis collaboratively. Working in a group gives students valuable experience and enables them to take on larger, more complicated topics. Students may begin a group project with approval of a Thesis Director.

Selecting a Topic

Because the honors thesis is the culmination of undergraduate studies, begin thinking about a topic early. Many students base the honors thesis on an aspect of coursework, internship, or research. Once an area of interest is identified, take two or three courses that concentrate in that specific area.  Selecting a topic should ultimately be done under the guidance of faculty. The honors thesis is a joint effort between students and faculty.

Consider these tips and resources as you begin the process of selecting a topic: 

• Reflect on past experience to determine interests.
• Talk to faculty including Faculty Honors Advisors about topics that are interesting and relevant to coursework, major, career interests, or from ongoing faculty research.
• View past honors theses through the ASU Library Digital Repository .

Thesis Pathways

Honors Thesis Pathways are unique thesis opportunities, where students can be paired with faculty on interesting and engaging topics. The pathway options provide students a structured experience in completing their thesis, while researching a topic that interests them.

The committee consists of a Director, a Second Committee Member, and may include a Third Committee Member. Ultimately, your committee must approve your thesis/creative project, so work closely with them throughout the process.  Specific academic unit committee requirements can be found here .

• Any member of ASU faculty with professional expertise in the project area. (This excludes graduate students.)
• Includes lecturer and tenure-line faculty.
• Primary supervisor of the project.
• Conducts regular meetings, provides feedback, sets expectations, and presides over the defense.

*Emeritus faculty may serve as thesis directors as approved by the FHA from the department which the thesis is to be completed. Directors are expected to be physically present at the honors thesis defense. They may not be reimbursed for travel related to attending the defense.

Second Committee Member

• Individual whom you and your Director decide is appropriate to serve based on knowledge and experience with the thesis topic.
• Credentials will be determined by the Director and the criteria of that academic unit.
• Conducts regular meetings, provides feedback, and offers additional evaluation at the defense.

Third Committee Member (optional-varies by academic unit)

• Faculty member or qualified professional.
• If required, credentials will be determined by the Director and the criteria of that academic unit.
• External Examiners are Third Committee Members.
• Offer insight and expertise on the topic and provides additional evaluation at the defense.

The prospectus serves as an action plan for the honors thesis and provides a definitive list of goals, procedures, expectations, and an overall timeline including internal deadlines for your work. This will lay the groundwork for your project and serve as a reference point for you and your committee. You and your committee should work together to solidify a topic and create project goals. 

Submit your prospectus online

Registration and Grading

To register:

• Be enrolled in Barrett, The Honors College and in academic good standing. 
• Have the approval of the faculty member who serves as the Director. 
• In-person Barrett thesis workshop
• Online (via Blackboard) Barrett thesis workshop. Self-enroll- search words “Barrett Honors Thesis Online Workshop”
• Major specific thesis preparatory workshop or course may be available in limited academic units.

Register for the honors thesis through the department of the Director .   First, obtain override permission from the department of the Director during normal enrollment periods. 

Thesis Credits (up to 6 hours)

• 492 Honors Directed Study: taken in the first semester during research and creation of the project (not offered by all departments).
• 493 Honors Thesis: taken in the second semester for defense and completion of the project.  
• 492 and 493 are sequential and may not be taken in the same semester.  
• You must register for and successfully complete at least 493 (or its equivalent) to graduate from Barrett, The Honors College.

Grading the Honors Thesis

When the honors thesis is completed and approved by the committee, the Director assigns a course grade. Criteria and evaluation for grading are determined by the Director and the standards of that academic discipline.   

If you enroll in 492, the Director has the option of assigning a Z grade until the project is completed.

The assignment of a Z grade indicates that a project is in progress and delays placement of a final grade until completion. 

Defense and Final Steps

• Presentation and summary of the honors thesis. Format, content, and length are determined by the Director and standards of the content area. Plan to review the origins of the project, its scope, the methodology used, significant findings, and conclusions. 
• Submit final draft to the committee at least two weeks before the defense. Allow time for revisions leading up to the defense.
• Work with your committee to set a defense and report to Barrett using the Honors Defense and Thesis Approval form. Once submitted, your Director will automatically be emailed an approval link on the date of your defense.
• All committee members must participate in the defense.
• Group projects: Each student is required to submit an individual Honors Defense and Thesis Approval form. All group members must participate in the defense. 
• Defenses are open to the ASU community and published to the Defense Calendar.
• Following the presentation, committee members will ask questions about issues raised in the work, choices made in the research, and any further outcomes.
• At the conclusion of the discussion, the committee will convene to provide an outcome that will determine next steps.

Thesis Outcomes

• Minor format/editorial corrections may be suggested.
• Director will report approval using the Final Thesis Approval link emailed to them on the defense date.
• Your next step is to upload your approved final project to the Barrett Digital Repository.

Provisional Approval (Common outcome)

• More significant revisions required.
• Once revisions are complete, Director will report approval using the Final Thesis Approval link emailed to them on the defense date.
• Your next step is to upload your approved final project to the Barrett Digital Repository after revisions are approved.

Not approved (Least common outcome)

• Basic design and/or overall execution of the honors thesis is significantly flawed.
• The Director and committee may continue working with the student to make major revisions. You should discuss this with committee and Honors Advisor about implications on Barrett graduation.