Thesis and Dissertation Submission Process

 Important Deadlines 

Every academic term has firm deadlines for each stage of the submission process. It is your responsibility to meet these dates to ensure a timely graduation. Process for Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation

• View the Schedule: See the Upcoming Graduation  Deadlines for the current term.

Formatting & Physical Standards

Before beginning your final formatting, review the Physical Standards for Theses & Dissertations carefully.

• Departmental Style: Consult your specific program for any additional style guidelines.
• Submission: Your document must conform to these standards before you upload your draft to the W&M ETD Administrator website.

Understanding Copyright & Embargoes

As the author, you own the copyrights to your thesis or dissertation.

• Copyright Management: When you submit, you will make decisions regarding the public availability of your work. We recommend resolving these decisions early in the writing process.
• Embargoes: An embargo is a restriction that allows only your title, abstract, and citation to be public, while the full text remains hidden for a specified period.

Proxy Signatures

Proxy Signatures may be requested in two specific instances:

1. Forms: When a student or faculty member cannot sign an official Office of Graduate Studies form.
2. Defenses: When a committee member is unable to be physically present at a defense examination.