Thesis and Dissertation FAQs

What steps are involved in completing a thesis or dissertation?

On its web pages, Thesis and Dissertation Services (TDS) provides detailed information on and the necessary links to forms for completing the thesis or dissertation process. You may access this information through short links:  www.tamuc.edu/thesis for information on the thesis process or www.tamuc.edu/dissertation for information on the dissertation process. To help you keep track of your progress and to keep up with important deadlines, TDS provides a printable thesis checklist or dissertation checklist. 

What are the deadlines for submitting my proposal, thesis, or dissertation to the Graduate School?

Deadlines are an important part of the thesis and dissertation process.  Graduate School deadlines are put in place to keep you on track with your thesis or dissertation. Specific deadlines are posted on the right side of the TDS/Thesis web page and the TDS/Dissertation web page.  For a general explanation of deadlines important to the thesis/dissertation process, visit the TDS/Deadlines web page.

How should my proposal, thesis, or dissertation be formatted?

Your proposal, thesis, and dissertation should follow the Graduate School's thesis/dissertation template and the Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guide, which together provide detailed instruction and guidance as to what TDS expects the proposal to look like when it reviews your document. You should also work with your advisor to make sure your proposal document adheres to the style guide you are using (APA, MLA, ACS, etc.). Your proposal will not be approved unless it is formatted according to the Graduate School formatting requirements.

How do I submit my proposal, thesis, or dissertation?

Your proposal, thesis, or dissertation and all related forms must be submitted via the digital forms found on the individual web page for thesis or dissertation. Forms for the proposal, thesis, and dissertation process are found under items 1 through 5 on the TDS/Thesis web page and the TDS/Dissertation web page.  Click on an item number to open up a description of what is required for that step in the process; the related form(s) can be found below that text.  Forms can also be found on the Graduate School’s web page for Forms & Guidelines.

What happens after I submit my proposal, thesis, or dissertation for review?

TDS reviews your paper for adherence to the Graduate School's formatting requirements, as set forth in the applicable template and formatting guide.  It is your responsibility, along with the guidance of your advisor and committee, to adhere to the requirements of your chosen style guide.  The proposal document is reviewed once, and the final thesis or dissertation is reviewed as many times as needed to ensure the document meets the Graduate School’s formatting requirements.  TDS approvals and requests for revisions are communicated via your LeoMail email.

What is involved in the submission process?

The Graduate School recently moved to a digital forms process. Consult the Thesis and Dissertation Submission Guide for instructions for using the digital forms process, as well as helpful information about the thesis and dissertation processes.

Whom do I contact regarding questions about research compliance training modules?

Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs: ResearchCompliance@tamuc.edu or 903-886-5766.

When can I begin collecting data for my study?

Students conducting studies not involving human subjects, animal subjects, or biological agents may begin collecting data after completing RCR training through CITI and after their advisor has granted them permission to do so. 

Students conducting studies involving human subjects, animal subjects, or biological agents are required to seek and receive approval from the applicable institutional safety committee (IRB, IACUC, or IBC). Approval from the research committee is required prior to beginning data collection.  You do not need proposal approval from TDS/Graduate School before collecting data.

When do I schedule my dissertation proposal defense?

Dissertation proposal defenses are schedule through the Graduate School (Dayla Burgin).  The schedule form must be received in the Graduate School by the 20^th of the month prior to the month you defend your proposal before your committee. Please remain aware of the various deadlines involved with submitting your schedule form, defending your proposal, and then submitting your proposal to TDS.

How do I schedule my dissertation proposal defense?

Schedule your dissertation proposal defense with the Graduate School by completing and submitting the digital form, Schedule Form for the Dissertation Proposal Defense.  The Graduate School/Dayla Burgin must receive the completed and fully approved form by the 20^th of the month prior to the month of your scheduled proposal defense.

When do I schedule my final dissertation defense?

You must schedule your final dissertation defense through the Graduate School (Dayla Burgin) by the 20^th of the month prior to the month you defend your final dissertation in front of your committee. Please remain aware of the various deadlines involved with submitting your schedule form, defending your dissertation, and then submitting your final dissertation to TDS.

How do I schedule my final dissertation defense?

Schedule your dissertation defense with the Graduate School by completing and submitting the digital form, Final Dissertation Defense Schedule Form. The Graduate School/Dayla Burgin must receive the completed and fully approved form by the 20^th of the month prior to the month of your scheduled final defense.

When and how do I schedule my final thesis defense?

You will work with your committee to set a date for your final thesis defense.  Once set, you will complete the digital form, Notification Form for Final Thesis Defense.  TDS must receive the completed and fully approved form no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of your defense.