Thesis and Dissertation Information

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Use the links on this page to navigate between sections of the Thesis Manual.

Steps to Graduation:

Download a Graduation Checklist and Academic Calendar

Enrollment During Semester of Graduation

  • All students must be enrolled in at least 2 hours during the semester in which they graduate. A waiver of this enrollment may be granted if the student completes all requirements for the degree before class work ends during the preceding semester.
  • All students must be enrolled before the last day of the regular enrollment period in each semester. This includes students who are only enrolling in research hours. Failure to complete enrollment before this time will preclude graduation during the particular semester.
  • Students must file a graduation clearance form and a diploma application early in the semester in which they are to graduate. If such an application has been filed in a previous semester, it must be updated during the final semester. Diploma applications are filed and updated in the Certifications office, 322 Student Union.

Thesis and Dissertation Checklist

  • All degree candidates must complete the Graduation Clearance Form and Diploma Application at the beginning of the semester they intend to graduate. The Graduation Clearance Form is available at the Graduate College (202 Whitehurst) and online at http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/gradcord/download/Grad_Clearance_form.pdf. The Diploma Application is available at the Registrar's Offices (322 Student Union) and online at http://www.okstate.edu/registrar/FormsOnline/DiplomaApplication.pdf.
  • A hard copy (paper) draft of the thesis must be submitted to the Graduate College by the stated deadline to check its compliance with formatting requirements by the deadline date for that semester.
    • The draft should contain all parts of the thesis that will form the final approved copy. It should also include one copy of the abstract that will be submitted, along with the final thesis. Prior to submitting the draft, the draft must be signed by the advisor (anywhere on the first page).
    • The draft should be placed unbound in an envelope when being submitted to the Graduate College. Place the author's name and student ID number on the bottom edge (opposite end of opening) of the envelope.
  • When the thesis draft is submitted, the candidate is given a Thesis/Dissertation Defense Results(Oral Defense) form and a Change of Grade form.The Thesis/Dissertation Defense Results(Oral Defense) form can be accessed at http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/download/doc/Thesis%20and%20Dissertation%20Defense%20Results.doc
  • These forms are turned in after the thesis defense occurs. Thesis/Dissertation Defense Results(Oral Defense) form must be returned to the Graduate College as soon as possible after the final defense of the thesis or dissertation. The candidate will be given access to the online submission web site when the form is received in the Graduate College. The Grade Change form is used to change Research credit hour grades (R's/X's) to a letter grade and must be returned to the Registrar's Office, 322 Student Union, before the grade can be changed on the transcript.
  • The student will be notified by email when the draft format review has been completed. The student will be notified approximately one week from the submission date. The student should have a plan to return to the Graduate College, 202 Whitehurst, to retrieve the document after they have been notified.
  • The defense must be successfully completed before the final copy of your thesis/dissertation can be submitted.  See Graduate College deadlines on the web site calendar . The final defense form must be submitted no later than one week before the final submission deadline.
  • After the final copy has been reviewed by the Graduate College, an email notification will be sent to the candidate of approval of the document or a list of required corrections before the Final Copy can be approved. approximately one (1) week after submission. Corrections must be made before the student can be cleared for graduation. If the deadline for the Graduate College to receive corrections is missed, the student may be required to enroll in the following semester. In addition, the student will need to complete a new Diploma Application and Graduation Clearance form.
  • Online Submission Fee:
    • The $50 Electronic Submission fee must be paid at the OSU Bursar's office. You can pay in person after obtaining an Electronic Submission fee statement from the Graduate College or call the OSU Bursar's office at 405-744-5993 and pay by using a credit card. The payment must be made using the subcode 91313.
  • Doctoral candidates are requested to complete a Survey of Earned Doctorates. The candidate will be given access to the survey web site after the Final Copy has been submitted online. An email will be sent to the candidate that includes the web site after the Graduate College confirms the successful completion of the online submission.