Preparing to Graduate
- Degree Completion
- Dissertation & Thesis Submission
- Dissertation & Thesis Manual
- Dissertation & Thesis Template
Review the information below on the requirements and process for doctoral and master’s students writing a dissertation/thesis and preparing for their defense. Please refer to the Dissertation/Thesis Defense Timeline Snapshot below for a general timeline to dissertation/thesis submission, defense, and degree completion.
We have launched a new process for filing the dissertation/thesis. The process is described below and in this How to File for Degree document.
Prior to your defense, follow the steps below:
Contact your department's graduate coordinator to review your dissertation/thesis committee and to discuss the process for scheduling your defense. New or reconstituted committees must be submitted to GEPA by your graduate coordinator and approved by GEPA prior to the defense (at least two weeks).
Review the requirements regarding committee participation at the defense here for doctoral students and here for master's students.
The doctoral dissertation/master's thesis should be submitted to each member of the doctoral/thesis committee at least four weeks before the final examination/defense.
Students who plan to graduate in the current quarter must fill out the online form in Kuali, “File for Doctoral/Master’s (Thesis) Degree Form.” See How to File for Degree for an overview of the process.
The next step is described in the "Final Review" section below.
[Although a preliminary appointment is not required, students may request a formatting pre-check of their dissertation/thesis if desired. After submitting the "File for Degree Form, " request a formatting pre-check at the GEPA Online Calendar. Please note: submission to ProQuest alone will not result in a review of the dissertation/thesis.]
After following Steps 1 and 2, described in the "How to File for the Degree" section above, follow Step 3 below.
The Dissertation/Thesis Submission & Formatting webinar is held quarterly and provides an overview of the dissertation/thesis submission process and formatting guidelines. Please refer to the full formatting manual for detailed formatting information. RSVP for the next webinar via the "Register Now" button in the "Attend a Formatting Webinar" section below this one.
The slide deck from the January 21 Fall 2025 dissertation/thesis submission & formatting webinar can be found here.
If you are unable to attend a webinar, the information is available in 4 topic-based recordings below.
Recordings:
► Webinar Part One: Degree Filing Process & Submitting Dissertation/Thesis [updated video to be uploaded]
► Webinar Part Two: Degree Paperwork
► Webinar Part Three: Dissertation & Thesis Formatting Manual
► Webinar Part Four: Permission Letters
The next Dissertation/Thesis Submission & Formatting Webinar is on Tuesday, April 15 at 10:00am (PT)
Unable to attend the next Webinar? Click here to access a recorded version.
Preliminary and final dissertation/thesis appointments are no longer required. Please see the Dissertation & Thesis Submission page for information on how to file for the degree.
Students must submit permission letters from all co-authors, if the dissertation/thesis will use material which has been submitted for publication or has been published. Letters must be submitted to GEPA via the online form.
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All programs and initiatives coordinated by the University of California Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.
More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.
More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.