The Graduate School

Printed Thesis Defense Process

Step 1:  In order to be eligible for the degree, you must complete the Application for Degree card. This card must be received in the Graduate School within 30 days of the start of the semester (or within 15 days of the start of Summer Session II) you intend to graduate. The card must be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies (or the designated representative) in your program. For the exact due date, see the university calendar or the Graduate School Bulletin.

Step 2:  After consulting with your advisor, ask your Director of Graduate Studies to submit a Final Examination Recommendation form to the Graduate School a minimum of two weeks prior to the specific date of the defense. This form must be accompanied by a Thesis Approval Sheet which must be signed by your advisor and by the Director of Graduate Studies, and affirms that your thesis is ready to be defended. This form must be complete with the date, time, room number and valid committee. Upon receipt, the Graduate School will check your file to make sure that all requirements to this point have been met.

The final examination must take place no later than eight days prior to the last day of classes of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Final examinations may not be scheduled during the period between semesters or between the end of the eight-week summer session and the beginning of the fall semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for deadlines on the scheduling of final examinations.

Step 3:  After your Final Examination, you have 60 days to submit the final copy of your thesis to the Graduate School. If this deadline is not met, the candidate must undergo a second examination. Since the thesis must conform to Graduate School format requirements, you are required to submit a draft for inspection before printing on an approved archival paper. An appointment can be made by contacting the Degree Certification Officer for your program . The student or the student's representative must be present for the final acceptance by The Graduate School of the thesis; theses submitted by mail will not be accepted. Note that the graduation date (i.e. December, May, or August degree conferral date) is based on the date the final thesis is accepted by The Graduate School; deadlines are listed in the University Bulletin. See the Graduate School Bulletin for more details on the Final Examination process. The Graduate School requires two final copies of the approved thesis, unbound and without perforations. The Graduate School and the Library bind these copies in uniform style.

If you have any questions about this process, contact the Degree Certification Officer for your program.

Checklist

FAQ's

Thesis Fees

The base thesis fee is $14.00, which covers the binding costs for the two archival copies of the thesis.

Additional charges are as follows:

Applicable fees will be determined by the Degree Certification Officer at the time the final thesis is submitted to The Graduate School. The charge must be paid at Student Billing Services, 18 Funkhouser Building. No diplomas will be released without payment of the applicable thesis fees.

Direct questions to the Degree Certification Officer for your program.

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Last updated Nov 9, 2007