Dissertations and Theses
Congratulations on being close to the finish line with your dissertation or thesis.
After you’ve applied to graduate and enrolled, dissertations and theses may be submitted online through the Dissertation & Thesis Center in Axess.
Once you finish submitting your dissertation or thesis in Axess, and it has been approved by the university, the submission is considered final and no further changes are permitted.
The electronic submission process is free of charge and allows you the ability to check your pre-submission requirements and when ready, upload a digital copy of your dissertation or thesis.
You can learn more about the center on the How to Use the Dissertation & Thesis Center webpage.
Follow these guides to ensure you meet all the requirements for submitting your dissertation or thesis.
Submission Deadlines for Conferral
You must apply to graduate and enroll before you can access the Dissertation & Thesis Center in Axess.
The Dissertation & Thesis Center opens to submissions on the first day of instruction each quarter for which the student has applied to graduate.
The quarterly deadlines are set as late in the quarter as possible, providing the time necessary for review of the dissertation or thesis, including review of final degree requirements by the Registrar's Office and the departments.
You are strongly encouraged to submit your work at least two weeks prior to the deadline to ensure that all requirements can be met in time for the conferral of your degree.
Once you finish submitting your dissertation or thesis in Axess, and it has been approved by the university, the submission is considered final and no further changes are permitted.
After the final reader approves the dissertation, it typically takes about seven (7) business days for the university to process the submission.
Deadlines by Quarter
| Deadline | Autumn 2023-24 | Winter 2023-24 | Spring 2023-24 | Summer 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation / Thesis Submission Deadline | Friday, December 8, noon | Friday, March 15, noon | Friday, June 7, noon | Friday, August 30, noon |
| Application to Graduate Deadline | Friday, November 17, 5 p.m. | Friday, March 1, 5 p.m. | Friday, April 12, 5 p.m. | Friday, August 2, 5 p.m. |
| Degree Conferral Date | Thursday, January 11 | Thursday, April 4 | Sunday, June 16 | Thursday, September 12 |
Dissertation deadlines are strictly enforced. No exceptions are made. By noon on the final submission deadline date, all of the following steps must be completed:
- The student enrolls and applies to graduate;
- The student confirms the names of reading committee members in Axess, and designates a Final Reader;
- The student submits reading committee signatures;
- The student completes the necessary University Milestones;
- The student’s candidacy is valid through degree conferral;
- The student submits the final dissertation or thesis in Axess;
- The designated Final Reader certifies the final draft of the dissertation or thesis submitted in Axess.
Get Help
For help, contact the Student Services Center.
For faculty and staff information on Dissertations, visit Inside Student Services.