Thesis and Dissertation Information



Guidelines

Theses, research projects and dissertations represent the culmination of research, which significantly contributes to existing scholarship within academic fields. Each of these projects consists of a written interpretation of facts and opinions gained through critical reading and independent research. Because a thesis or dissertation is considered a student's original contribution to his or her professional field, it should be written to present meaningful research and ideas to create credible conclusions.

Requirements and style guidelines are provided in the Thesis and Dissertation Manual for preparing and submitting a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School of James Madison University (JMU). These guidelines cannot be superseded by any other style guide unless explicitly required by the graduate or project adviser and approved by the dean of The Graduate School.

All questions concerning the content of the thesis or dissertation and its organization should be resolved with the student's adviser. Students must also provide a list to The Graduate School of potential thesis or dissertation committee members to ensure that members have gone through the appropriate Graduate Faculty review process.

Most programs specify an acceptable style guide for theses and dissertations and students should consult their program advisers on which style manual or guide to follow.

Checklist

�� 1. Following the guidelines for your program, register for the appropriate course.
�� 2. Choose a graduate faculty member to act as the chair of your committee, then form the rest of your committee under the guidance of your chosen committee chair.
�� 3. Submit the Committee Approval form to The Graduate School within two weeks of registering.
�� 4. After your research is completed and you are ready to begin writing, refer to the style guide used by your academic unit and The Graduate School formatting requirements.
�� 5. Prepare a rough draft of your document.
�� 6. Consult with your committee for approval of the content of your document.
�� 7. Schedule an appointment with The Graduate School to review the format of your rough draft. Bring all beginning pages (title, table of contents, etc.) and one chapter. If your final project will use tables and figures, make sure you bring draft pages that contain them.
�� 8. Make any necessary changes in content or format.
�� 9. Obtain signatures on approval pages (three originals for thesis, four for dissertation), signed in black ink on each copy.
�� 1O. Schedule appointment with The Graduate School for submission of final documents (three originals).

    Deadlines for filing of thesis or dissertation with The Graduate School:
    Fall 2007: November 30, 2007
    Spring 2008: April 16
    Summer 2007: July 10


�� 11. When The Graduate School approves your final document, deliver the unbound originals to Carrier Library in a box, with originals separated by a colored sheet of paper.
�� 12. Deliver one copy to your program coordinator according to the guidelines of your academic unit. Web-Stat hit counters

Document links:


Thesis and Dissertation Manual
Committee Approval Form (Word)
Committee Approval Form (PDF)
(This form is due to TGS no later than 2 weeks into the semester of registration for Thesis or Dissertation. Check with your graduate program for possible earlier program deadline.)
Sample Approval Page
Sample Title Page
Sample Table of Contents 1
Sample Table of Contents 2
Formatting Tips (pdf)...wondering how to make those dots come out even? or how to suppress the chapter subdivision pages?...
Dissertation Publishing Agreement

Important Dates

Summer 2008

June 5 - Application for a Graduate Degree due to TGS

July 10 - Thesis or Disseration due to TGS for summer graduation

August 1  - All coursework must be completed for summer graduation

(Are you on the list of students who have applied to graduate? Link here to find out!)

Fall  2008

October 3 - Application for a Graduate Degree due to TGS

November 21  - Thesis or Disseration due to TGS for Fall graduation

December 12  - All coursework must be completed for Fall graduation

December 13  - Fall Commencement 

(Are you on the list of students who have applied to graduate? Link here to find out!)