Section Navigation

• Program Requirements
  • Graduate Bulletin
  • Thesis & Dissertation
  • Forms
• Financial Information
  • Cost & Financial Support
  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Scholarships & Fellowships
• New Student Info
• Off-Campus Student Info
• Graduation & Commencement

Students enrolled in degree programs that require a thesis or dissertation are expected to plan, execute and report on a research project or creative endeavor that creates, analyzes, assesses, or otherwise advances knowledge in the discipline of study.

Thesis & Dissertation Workshops

The Grad School will be holding open houses and has arranged for workshops each semester on the thesis and dissertation review process. All students and mentors are welcome. We strongly recommend that you participate in one of these sessions! Contact Susan Triplett, Graduate Student Services, for information (TriplettSW, 828.262.2130). Spring 2010 sessions will be posted here soon.

Submitting Thesis and Dissertation Manuscripts Electronically

Starting in Spring 2010, students will be required to submit an electronic copy of their final manuscript for inclusion in the electronic database of theses and dissertations, which will replace the hardcopy required for the library. You will still be required to purchase one bound copy for your home department, and you can purchase as many additional bound copies as you wish for your private use.

In the Fall 2009, the electronic submission is optional, but we hope you will consider submitting your work for the on-line, searchable archive!

Producing an electronic copy of your approved thesis is not difficult. The format required for the text components is PDF, with all pages except the signed signature pages included. More information on converting to PDF and the electronic submission process.

Thesis & Dissertation Handbook

The Thesis and Dissertation Handbook contains valuable information for students at all stages of the process, from building your committee through submitting your final draft to the Graduate School for review. We have also created some additional information for you on common styles (APA, Turabian, MLA) and on MS Word. The documents below are all PDF files. If you have trouble opening them, please let us know!

• Thesis and Dissertation Handbook (PDF)
• Addendum on APA Style (PDF)
• Addendum on Turabian (Chicago) Style - coming soon
• Addendum on MLA Style - coming soon
• Tips for a Quick Graduate School Review (PDF)
• MSWord Pointers (PDF)
• Tips for Non-native (and Native!) English Speakers

Approvals for Thesis & Dissertation Research (before you start data collection)

Once you have your committee assembled and your prospectus or research summary prepared, you should work with your Committee Chair / Research Mentor to complete and submit the Committee and Prospectus Form to the Graduate School. If you need to change a committee member later, do not forget to inform the Graduate School by submitting a Committee Change Form.

If you are working with humans or animals in your research (even if you are only interviewing people), you will also need to complete the appropriate research ethics training and submit a proposal for approval:

• For human subject research: Check the Institutional Review Board (IRB) rules and regulations in the Office of Research Compliance.
• For research with vertebrate animals: Check the Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) rules and regulations in the Office of Research Compliance.
  

Timeline for the Thesis/Dissertation Process

1. Admission to candidacy, preparation and presentation of the thesis/dissertation idea via a prospectus, and approval (if needed) for research involving human or animal subjects.
2. Submission of the prospectus and thesis/dissertation committee form to the Graduate School.
3. Registration for thesis/dissertation hours (candidacy and committee form must be submitted before registration is allowed).
4. Lots of work on thesis/dissertation preparation.
5. Typesetting of the manuscript, with input from your committee (be sure to follow the appropriate style manual from the start).
6. Defense (which must occur at least 10 days prior to the last day of classes).
7. Submission to the Graduate School of signed signature pages on bond and one copy of the manuscript on regular paper (which must occur at least 7 calendar days prior to the last day of regular classes).
8. Review of the manuscript by the Thesis/Dissertation reader (plan on 10-14 days if turned in by the deadline).
9. Edits (hopefully minimal!) completed and turned back into the Graduate School for final approval (by the official date of graduation for that term).
10. Dean Huntley signs your thesis/dissertation, and you graduate!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I don't have my formal prospectus complete yet; can I still sign up for thesis hours?
A; Yes, but we will need your committee form and a brief summary of your research topic before we will process your registration.

Q: I don't think I can get all the edits and everything done by the official graduation date; can I have an extension?
A: Extensions through the day before the start of the next term will be granted. If it takes longer than that you will graduate in the next term.

Q: I am finishing in the summer; when are the deadlines for that?
A: The same rules apply (7 days before the last class day), meaning the last day of second summer session.

Q: I don't know what style to use; what should I do?
A: You should ask your mentor what style to use. A general rule of thumb: Arts and humanities use MLA or Chicago/Turabian; social sciences and education use APA or Chicago/Turabian; sciences use APA or the guidelines for a specific journal. If you use journal publication guidelines, be sure to include a copy of the guidelines or a sample article when you submit your manuscript for review.

Q: Can I use color graphics?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I include electronic files?
A: Yes; for bound copies include a formatted and burned CD for each one.