Dissertation & Thesis Submission

• The doctoral dissertation/master's thesis must be submitted to each member of the doctoral/thesis committee at least four weeks before the final examination/defense. 
• Review the requirements regarding committee participation at the defense found here for doctoral students and here for master's students
• A student must make an appointment with the Graduate Division for a preliminary check of his/her dissertation/thesis. At that appointment the format is checked and instructions on the final preparation and submission of the dissertation/thesis are given.
• The final version of the dissertation/thesis must conform to procedures outlined in the "Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses."
• A student must make a final appointment with the Graduate Division for the submission of all final degree paperwork and the final dissertation/thesis. Please see the "Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses" for detailed instructions. 
• Please download the Dissertation/Thesis Release Form; it will be discussed during your preliminary appointment.
• Effective May 11, 2020, students will initiate the dissertation/thesis signature page through DocuSign. Committee member signatures will be collected electronically through DocuSign and the form will be routed electronically to the Graduate Division. (See page 12 in the formatting manual for detailed instructions.)

  • Doctoral and Master’s students use the dissertation/thesis signature page link here.

  • Joint Doctoral students with SDSU should use the JDP signature page link here.

  • JDP students with CSUSM should use this signature page link.

Dissertation/Thesis Appointments

Request preliminary and final dissertation/thesis appointments via the online calendar

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