Dissertation & Thesis Information

If you are in a program that requires the completion of a master's thesis or PhD dissertation, we have the resources and information to help you successfully complete your thesis or dissertation.

Each quarter has firm deadlines for:

Applying for graduation
Completing required forms to organize and schedule your defense
Submitting and formatting your thesis or dissertation

Please note that review and approval may take several days. To avoid delays and last-minute stress, begin planning early and familiarize yourself with all requirements.

Graduate-Level Culminating Research Projects

PhD Dissertation

The dissertation represents the culminating research experience for doctorate students through which degree candidates are expected to complete quality original scholarship that contributes to the theoretical/research knowledge base of the field of study.

Policy pertaining to the Doctoral Dissertation can be found in the .

All forms and deadlines referenced on the Dissertation & Thesis Deadlines and Forms webpage apply to the PhD Dissertation.

Master's Thesis

The master’s thesis represents the culminating research of the master’s degree program. It is a scholarly presentation of original research that is defended as partial fulfillment of requirements for the master’s degree.

Policy pertaining to the Master’s Thesis can be found in the .

All forms and deadlines referenced on the Dissertation & Thesis Deadlines and Forms webpage apply to the Master’s Thesis.

EdD Dissertation in Practice

The Morgridge College of Education requires their doctor of education candidates to complete a dissertation in practice instead of a dissertation and should consult with their program regarding requirements for the dissertation in practice.

The forms and deadlines referenced on the Dissertation & Thesis Deadlines and Forms webpage do not apply to the EdD Dissertation in Practice. EdD students are not required to complete these forms and should consult with their program to determine what internal paperwork is necessary.��

EdD candidates are invited to submit their Dissertation in Practice to ProQuest for publication. Please note that this is optional. If you would like to pursue this option, you must follow the published submission and formatting deadlines found on the Dissertation & Thesis Deadlines and Forms webpage.

PsyD Major Doctoral Research Paper

The Graduate School of Professional Psychology requires their doctor of psychology candidates to complete a doctoral paper instead of a dissertation and should consult with their program regarding requirements for the doctoral paper.

The forms and deadlines referenced on the Dissertation & Thesis Deadlines and Forms webpage do not apply to the PsyD doctoral paper. ��PsyD students are not required to complete these forms and should consult with their program to determine what internal paperwork is necessary.��

PsyD candidates do not upload their doctoral paper to ProQuest for publication.

Additional Resources

Resources for a Virtual Oral Defense

The defense is expected to be held with the student and committee members being present in person.�� However, if circumstances make it impossible for the student and/or committee members to be physically present, a defense with the student and/or faculty participating by conference call, webcast or other medium is allowed if agreed upon by the student, the dissertation director and committee members.��

View Resources

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Requirements

Review this comprehensive document��for insight into formatting and arrangement requirements.

View Requirements

Formatting Template

The Formatting Template is a resource to help format your dissertation/thesis per the University's formatting requirements.��

View Template

Support

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Writing Center

Need help writing your thesis/dissertation? Get the support you need at the Writing Center. Our skilled staff helps writers at all stages of the writing process in individual and group settings.��

Writing Center

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