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Graduate School

Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation

The Graduate School has strict guidelines for formatting your thesis or dissertation document. Be sure to follow all formatting requirements or you will have to make changes and resubmit. 

Fall 2023 Deadlines & Commencement

September 22: Graduation Application Deadline
October 10: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
November 1:
Defense Deadline
November 15:
Final Submission Deadline
December 18: Commencement, 2:30 p.m., Colonial Life Arena 
December 18:
Doctoral Commencement, 9:30 a.m., Koger Center 

Spring 2024 Deadlines & Commencement

March 4: Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation
March 22: Defense Deadline
April 8:
Final Submission Deadline 
May 3:
Commencement, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena 
May 4: Commencement, 9:30 a.m., Colonial Life Arena 
May 4:
Doctoral Commencement, 1 p.m., Koger Center 
May 4:
 Commencement, 3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena 


Try to submit your thesis or dissertation document early. 
That way, you'll have more time to make any necessary formatting changes.

Preparing Your Document

We require consistency in form and appearance for all thesis and dissertation documents. Be sure to follow all formatting guidelines so you can avoid having to make changes and resubmit your document.

Formatting Guide

Every thesis and dissertation must conform to the requirements in this guide to be accepted. If your thesis or dissertation document is not accepted on the first try, you will be required to make the necessary changes and resubmit.

Fall 2023 Formatting Workshops

Graduate students are invited to attend free in-person or virtual formatting workshops to help format your thesis or dissertation. Visit the thesis & dissertation workshop calendar for a list of events and registration links.


Additional Formatting Resources

The Graduate School offers a variety of video presentations, workshops, samples and templates to assist with the thesis & dissertation formatting process.

Thesis & Dissertation Formatting Demonstration (Video) 

MS Word Template Workshop (Video)

  • Learn tips and formatting requirements specific to Word in this recorded session. 

Thesis & Dissertation Formatting Workshops (Video)

  • Learn the basics about formatting, submitting, and finalizing your thesis or dissertation with recorded formatting workshop sessions. (2/10/22 or 2/16/22)

How To Resubmit a Revised PDF in ProQuest (Video)

  • Learn how to submit your thesis or dissertation in ProQuest after you have made revisions.

Samples

Formatting Templates

Upcoming Events

Thesis & Dissertation Formatting Workshop

Friday, Sep. 29, 2023

Location: Close-Hipp 464

Cost: Free

Thesis & Dissertation Formatting Workshop

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

Location: Close-Hipp 464

Cost: Free

View the Calendar

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