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The Electronic Thesis & Dissertation

Your advisory committee must receive the complete Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis at least two weeks prior to your scheduled exam date, to allow for revisions. The Graduate School has very specific formatting criteria for the ETD. Review the information in the ETD Guide very carefully before you even begin writing your thesis or dissertation. In addition, The Graduate School has implemented Writing Support that will provide seminars, guidance, and other resources for students preparing the thesis/dissertation. We highly recommend that you begin preparing at least one year in advance of your planned completion date.

After successful completion of the final oral examination and no later than one week after you pass, upload your Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis for the Grad School’s Thesis Editor to review.  Make sure your entire committee electronically approves your final version of the thesis/dissertation. If they do not, you will not graduate. While bound copies of your thesis are no longer required by the Department, your advisor may request one for their group collection. Please discuss this with your graduate advisor.

Deadlines

Follow the posted Grad School ETD Deadlines closely.  Carefully read the definitions and descriptions to fully understand the deadlines. All defense scheduling must occur two weeks before the posted Review Deadlines.  Actual defenses should occur at least one day before the posted Review Deadlines.

International students must check with OIS before planning your final defense due to US Immigration laws and  your visa. Many times deadlines are slightly different — often earlier — and you may need to complete additional paperwork to remain in compliance and not lose your visa. Also, if you have to stay past the end date on your I-20, you’ll need to have a new I-20 issued with a new end-date. If you’re on an RA or TA that goes AFTER the date on your original I-20, you must have your I-9 form redone. If you do not have a new I-9 form in the system, you will not be allowed to work. If you are considering applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) you must already have a Request to Schedule FINAL Defense form submitted to the Chemistry Graduate Office. There is a 90 day+ processing period for OPT; apply as soon as you schedule your defense to avoid any visa issues.

Bound Copies

While bound copies of your thesis are no longer required by the Department, your advisor may request one for their group collection. Please discuss this with your graduate advisor.

The Graduate School does not provide or store printed copies of your dissertation. However, students may purchase printed copies of their work at the following locations: