Dissertations & DMin Projects: Step #4: Drafts

Draft deadlines are subject to change. Check the Academic Calendar.

1. Students obtain regular feedback from their committee members on portions and chapters of their dissertations.
2. When the committee and the student agree that the dissertation will be ready to defend in time for spring, the student fills out their portion of the relevant draft form and submits both the form and the draft to the Registrar by email. The Registrar will then circulate the draft and collect the necessary signatures.
3. Depending on the specific program and draft, Thesis Secretary approval may be necessary. See the Deadlines chart for indications about which drafts should be sent to the Thesis Secretary. Within two weeks of receipt, the Thesis Secretary will respond and let students know what steps are needed for Thesis Secretary approval. When these steps are completed, the Thesis Secretary will sign the draft approval form. Essentially, the Thesis Secretary requires a draft that is free of any kind of plagiarism, is accurate in form and style, and has a relatively small number of obvious errors. The Thesis Secretary does not edit or proofread dissertations (students are ultimately responsible for that) but does provide evaluations.

Helpful reminders:

• Your official and submitted "First Draft" will not necessarily be your first draft as written. Work closely with your faculty to decide whether you are ready to submit an official First Draft.
• Neither your First nor Second Draft need be your Defense Draft. Your faculty or the Thesis Secretary may have feedback after each draft. Your dissertation should be on its way to finished by the time you are submitting official Drafts, but you still have time to clean it up.

Draft deadlines are subject to change. Check the Academic Calendar.

1. Students obtain regular feedback from their advisor(s) on their projects.
2. Your official and submitted "First Draft" will not necessarily be your first draft as written. Work closely with your faculty to decide whether you are ready to submit an official First Draft.
3. When the advisor(s) and student agree that the project is on track to be finished in time for the current graduation cycle, the studen fills out their portion of the relevant draft form and submits both the form and the draft to the Registrar by email. The Registrar will then circulate the draft and collect the necessary signatures.
4. Students may receive feedback from the Thesis Secretary after each draft. Within two weeks of receipt, the Thesis Secretary will contact the student and inform them of what steps are necessary for Thesis Secretary approval. Essentially, the Thesis Secretary requires a draft that is free of any kind of plagiarism, is accurate in form and style, and has a relatively small number of obvious errors. The Thesis Secretary does not edit or proofread projects, but does provide evaluations.