Post-Submission Process for Dissertations

Post-Submission Process for Dissertations

Once you’ve submitted your dissertation, you enter the final stages of the PhD process. Here’s an overview of what happens next in the post-submission process:

1. Confirmation of Submission

  • Submission Acknowledgment: After you submit your dissertation, you’ll receive a confirmation email or notification confirming receipt of your work. This may include information about the next steps, including scheduling your defense.

  • Check for Missing Documents: Ensure that all required forms and documents (e.g., abstract, approval forms, copies) are submitted along with your dissertation.

2. Preliminary Review

  • Basic Requirements Check: Your dissertation will undergo an initial review to check if it meets basic submission requirements (e.g., proper formatting, page numbers, inclusion of the required sections).

  • Advising and Feedback: Your advisor will likely review your dissertation for any immediate issues that could delay the process, such as minor formatting problems or unclear sections.

3. Defense Scheduling

  • Set the Date: Once your dissertation is confirmed for review, you will work with your advisor and committee to schedule your defense.

  • Prepare for Defense: You will need to prepare for your dissertation defense, which includes rehearsing your presentation and anticipating the types of questions your committee may ask.

4. Dissertation Defense

  • Presentation: At your defense, you will present your dissertation findings, explain your methodology, and discuss your research’s contributions to the field.

  • Question and Answer: After the presentation, your committee will ask questions and engage in a discussion about your research. Be prepared to defend your methodology, choices, and conclusions.

5. Post-Defense Revisions

  • Feedback and Revisions: After the defense, the committee will provide feedback, which may require revisions. These revisions can range from minor adjustments to major clarifications, depending on the feedback.

  • Address Revisions: Take time to address the revisions thoroughly, as the committee will review your responses before giving final approval.

6. Final Approval

  • Committee Review: Once you’ve made the necessary revisions, submit the updated version for final review. Once the committee is satisfied, they will approve the dissertation for submission to the graduate school.

  • Final Submission: Submit the final version of your dissertation, following the university’s submission guidelines.

7. Graduation and Archiving

  • Graduation: After final approval, you can move forward with the graduation process. Your university will provide instructions for submitting any additional documents needed for your degree conferral.

  • Archiving: Your dissertation will be archived in the university’s repository or sent to an academic database like ProQuest for wider access.

By following these steps, you can successfully navigate the post-submission process and move toward the final approval and publication of your dissertation.