ETD (Theses & Dissertations) Guide

At-a-Glance Timeline for Students Writing a Thesis or Dissertation

This timeline is a brief outline of the stages of the ETD process from beginning to end. 

You must also visit each of the Phase tabs on this guide to view the in-depth information, instructions, links, and contacts for each step of the process briefly outlined below. 

Note: Your department and/or college may also have specific rules and timelines. Check with your advisor and/or ETD committee chair to learn more.

Instructions:

View this at-a-glance version for an overview of the timeline. Then, visit each of the Phase tabs on this guide for in-depth information, instructions, links, and contacts for each step of the process briefly outlined below. 

Timeline:

 Phase 0 - Requirements (Prerequisites) 

1. Online ETD Training in Blackboard (submit the acknowledgement form in the final lesson).
2. IRB Approval letter from Office of Research Integrity (save as PDF and use as Appendix A in your manuscript).

Phase 1 - Early Stages 

1. Visit the Graduate Degree Timeline to ensure you're on track with everything (ETDs are just a small part).
2. View the Deadlines and Dates for each semester. 
3. Form your thesis or dissertation committee, identify your topic and get your committee's approval, and, enroll in the required courses.
4. Complete Phase 0 Requirements (Prerequisites) if you haven't already. 

Phase 2 - Middle Stages

1. Review the ETD Guidelines for answers to any question you may have, such as: how to format your manuscript (example: structure your Table of Contents), understanding copyright and attribution, how to submit your manuscript for Policy Check and Publication. 
2. Download the ETD Template so that all formatting and placeholders are added for you. 
3. Conduct your research and write your manuscript 
   • But only if you have received the IRB approval letter, which ALL students must have in their manuscript as Appendix A. 
   • If you conduct research or write your manuscript without the IRB approval letter, you might have to re-do all of your work again, and possibly push back your degree date. 
4. Schedule regular check-ins with your committee to review progress. 
5. Get help when you need it from campus partners. 
6. Complete Phase 0 and Phase 1 requirements if you haven't already. 

Phase 3 - Final Stages (During your Final Semester)

Review the Graduate Studies' Deadlines & Dates and Graduate Degree Timeline pages to ensure you're doing everything on time.

1. Apply for Graduation
2. Schedule your Defense
3. Defend your Manuscript
4. Revise and Proofread your Manuscript
5. Complete and Submit the Distribution License Electronic Form
6. Submit your Manuscript for ETD Review (Policy Check) by creating an account with ProQuest's ETD Administrator platform: https://www.etdadmin.com/
   • You will determine your online publishing preferences for your manuscript here, as well as order printed bound copies if desired.
7. Revise your Manuscript according to ETD Review (Policy Check) findings
8. Plan for Commencement!

Phase 4 - Published ETDs

1. Congratulations! You're a published author!
   • You can visit your ProQuest ETD Administrator account (https://www.etdadmin.com/) to check the status of your ETD and/or order printed bound copies.
   • If you choose to make your ETD freely available online, options for finding your digital manuscript are on the Phase 4 tab.