Welcome to the Dissertation Web Page

The purpose of this site is to assist with the final steps of completing your Dissertation.

The Preliminary Copy
. A preliminary copy is due in the Graduate School 3 weeks before the oral defense.
. Consult the Graduation Deadlines for the last possible dates each semester.
. The D6 must accompany the dissertation with all the committee signatures on it.
. An electronic copy of the D9 must be sent to the Graduate School. You must use the format in the D-9. Please do not copy the format on the website.
. Your student account will be charged the dissertation microfilming fee and optional copyright fee after you receive dean's approval.

The Oral Defense
. The Oral Defense Announcement will be posted on the Graduate School Website
. You, your dissertation advisor, graduate program director, department chair, and dean will be notified when it is posted.
. Bring a copy of the D7 to your oral defense.
. Obtain signatures of your committee on the D7

Final Copy Submission Options

Student may submit the final dissertation electronically as a pdf or three paper copies.

There are advantages to electronic submission:

Lower Cost
More Exposure
Use of Multimedia files (video, audio, color photographs)

Please review the ETD site and discuss with your advisor whether this is an option for you.

Students who submit electronically must submit the following forms listed in the Final Visit to The Graduate School before we will approve the dissertation.

Preparing the Final Copies for Paper Submission

Original Copies must be typewritten and on good quality paper
The copies must be legible and in correct numerical order.
Margins must be 1 ½ inches on the left and 1 inch on the top, bottom and right.
The advisory committee should be listed on the title page.
The Graduate School no longer accepts title pages that contain signatures of advisory committee members.
You may keep a title page with signatures for your personal copy or records.

The Survey of Earned Doctorates
Graduating Doctoral Candidates are required to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates.
Students may complete:

A paper copy
A web-based survey

The UMI Proquest/Publishing Agreement

All Students are required to microfilm dissertations, regardless of paper or electronic submission
A paper copy of the title page and abstract needs to accompany the Publishing Agreement
The form is on pages 3 and 4 in the Publishing Agreement document (pages 9 and 10 in the pdf).
UMSL students may choose options "TR1" or "TR2" for microfilming and availability.
If you have questions about which one is appropriate for you, please contact the Graduate School.
**Choosing TR2 will not delay the shelving of your dissertation in the UMSL library. If you need to delay availability in the UMSL library, please send a separate request to the Graduate School.
The copyright request is on page 5. This is optional.

Your Final Visit to the Graduate School
The following items need to be brought to the Graduate School when your dissertation is ready for publishing:

. D7 with appropriate signatures.
. 3 unbound copies of the dissertation if you chose the paper option. The Graduate School prefers one stack, no clips. Copies may be separated with colored paper.
. A signed Publishing Agreement (pdf)
. A receipt showing your student account has been paid or a check for your fees made to UM-St. Louis.
. The Survey of Earned Doctorates
. The Graduate School will receive notice when the web version is completed.

Mailing Instructions

Make sure the mailer is sturdy (Tyvek envelope or box)
Include your signed publishing agreement.
Include your final approval form.
(Your advisor may send your final approval form directly to the Graduate School)
You may include a check or money order made to UM-St. Louis for your publishing fees.

Please mail to:
The Graduate School
c/o Betsy Sampson
421 Woods Hall
University of Missouri - St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63121

Questions?
Please contact Betsy Sampson in the Graduate School
(314) 516-5900,