Dissertation, Specialist Project and Thesis Approval Forms
Approval Form Instructions
- Download and save the approval form file to your desktop or cloud storage.
- Click in the “Date” field and type in the date of the defense, then tab to the next field.
- Type your name exactly as it appears on your dissertation or thesis. The name and title on your manuscript must match the approval form exactly.
- Your title will be inserted in the third field. Again, make sure that the title is typed exactly as it will appear in the manuscript. If your title exceeds the length of the first tile line, place the rest of it on the second line by tabbing to or clicking on that field. There are no quotation marks surrounding the title. If possible, it is suggested to use initial capitalization for your title on the approval form.
- In the “Degree” field, type the degree being conferred. Then fill out the “Department” and “Program” fields. Sometimes the program name is the same as the department name and sometimes it differs. Please fill in both fields. If you are unsure, check with your department.
- To list your committee members, tab or click over to the spaces below the signature lines. List the name, then a comma and the abbreviation for the terminal degree received. For example, Marie Maynard Daly, Ph.D. If you have co-chairs, type “Co-chair” after each name and then type their terminal degree.
- Your committee members will sign the forms upon their approval of the document. They may sign digitally, physically, or through a hybrid. The signature and date spaces at the bottom of the form are reserved for final approval by the dean of the Graduate College.
- Proofread carefully to ensure all fields of the form is accurate before circulating for signatures. Approval forms with errors or extraneous markings will be sent back to be re-signed and resubmitted, which could delay your graduation.
- Upload the signed copy of your approval form to ProQuest ETD as part of the materials required to complete your dissertation or thesis submission to the Graduate College
*Please note that you do not need the Dean of the Graduate College’s signature on your Approval Form before uploading it to ProQuest ETD.