What steps are involved in completing a thesis or dissertation?
On its web pages, Thesis and Dissertation Services (TDS) provides detailed information on and the necessary links to forms for completing the thesis or dissertation process. You may access this information through short links: www.tamuc.edu/thesis for information on the thesis process or www.tamuc.edu/dissertation for information on the dissertation process. To help you keep track of your progress and to keep up with important deadlines, TDS provides a printable thesis checklist or dissertation checklist.
What are the deadlines for submitting my proposal, thesis, or dissertation to the Graduate School?
Deadlines are an important part of the thesis and dissertation process. Graduate School deadlines are put in place to keep you on track with your thesis or dissertation. Specific deadlines are posted on the right side of the TDS/Thesis web page and the TDS/Dissertation web page. For a general explanation of deadlines important to the thesis/dissertation process, visit the TDS/Deadlines web page.
How should my proposal, thesis, or dissertation be formatted?
Your proposal, thesis, and dissertation should follow the Graduate School's thesis/dissertation template and the Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guide, which together provide detailed instruction and guidance as to what TDS expects the proposal to look like when it reviews your document. You should also work with your advisor to make sure your proposal document adheres to the style guide you are using (APA, MLA, ACS, etc.). Your proposal will not be approved unless it is formatted according to the Graduate School formatting requirements.
How do I submit my proposal, thesis, or dissertation?
Your proposal, thesis, or dissertation and all related forms must be submitted via the digital forms found on the individual web page for thesis or dissertation. Forms for the proposal, thesis, and dissertation process are found under items 1 through 5 on the TDS/Thesis web page and the TDS/Dissertation web page. Click on an item number to open up a description of what is required for that step in the process; the related form(s) can be found below that text. Forms can also be found on the Graduate School’s web page for Forms & Guidelines.
What happens after I submit my proposal, thesis, or dissertation for review?
TDS reviews your paper for adherence to the Graduate School's formatting requirements, as set forth in the applicable template and formatting guide. It is your responsibility, along with the guidance of your advisor and committee, to adhere to the requirements of your chosen style guide. The proposal document is reviewed once, and the final thesis or dissertation is reviewed as many times as needed to ensure the document meets the Graduate School’s formatting requirements. TDS approvals and requests for revisions are communicated via your LeoMail email.
What is involved in the submission process?
The Graduate School recently moved to a digital forms process. Consult the Thesis and Dissertation Submission Guide for instructions for using the digital forms process, as well as helpful information about the thesis and dissertation processes.
Whom do I contact regarding questions about research compliance training modules?
Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs: ResearchCompliance@tamuc.edu or 903-886-5766.
Why do I need to complete research training modules?
All faculty, staff, and students of East Texas A&M University are expected to uphold the highest standards of research conduct and strictly adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations involving research. To ensure integrity and compliance in research, all faculty, staff, and students involved in research activities must successfully complete training in Responsible Conduct in Research. Additional training is required for individuals whose research involves animal care and use (IACUC), biosafety, export control (IBC), or human subjects (IRB).
How do I complete the required research compliance training modules?
The modules are taken online through the Collaborative Institutional Training Institute (CITI) website. You may visit the Research Compliance web page for further information.
When should I begin the training modules?
You should begin the training modules early in your program. You must have completed your research compliance training modules by the time you submit your proposal to TDS.
Do I have to apply for research committee compliance approval?
If your research involves animal care and use, biosafety, export control, or human subjects, you are required to work with your advisor to apply for research compliance approval. Your advisor submits the required application and will receive the related approval letter from the applicable research committee. Please visit the Research Compliance web page for more information.
When should I submit my application for research compliance approval?
It is recommended that you and your advisor be prepared to submit your compliance approval application at the time of your proposal defense. However, keep in mind that your committee may request changes to your proposal, and sometimes these changes are significant. For this reason, you must first have committee approval of your proposal before submitting for research compliance approval. Once you have defended your proposal and gained approval by your committee, your advisor will submit your application for committee approval.
Whom do I contact regarding questions about research compliance approval?
Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs: ResearchCompliance@tamuc.edu or 903-886-5766.
When can I begin collecting data for my study?
Students conducting studies not involving human subjects, animal subjects, or biological agents may begin collecting data after completing RCR training through CITI and after their advisor has granted them permission to do so.
Students conducting studies involving human subjects, animal subjects, or biological agents are required to seek and receive approval from the applicable institutional safety committee (IRB, IACUC, or IBC). Approval from the research committee is required prior to beginning data collection. You do not need proposal approval from TDS/Graduate School before collecting data.
When do I schedule my dissertation proposal defense?
Dissertation proposal defenses are schedule through the Graduate School (Dayla Burgin). The schedule form must be received in the Graduate School by the 20th of the month prior to the month you defend your proposal before your committee. Please remain aware of the various deadlines involved with submitting your schedule form, defending your proposal, and then submitting your proposal to TDS.
How do I schedule my dissertation proposal defense?
Schedule your dissertation proposal defense with the Graduate School by completing and submitting the digital form, Schedule Form for the Dissertation Proposal Defense. The Graduate School/Dayla Burgin must receive the completed and fully approved form by the 20th of the month prior to the month of your scheduled proposal defense.
When do I schedule my final dissertation defense?
You must schedule your final dissertation defense through the Graduate School (Dayla Burgin) by the 20th of the month prior to the month you defend your final dissertation in front of your committee. Please remain aware of the various deadlines involved when submitting your schedule form, defending your dissertation, and then submitting your final dissertation to TDS. You must have proposal approval at least one semester prior to defending your final dissertation.
How do I schedule my final dissertation defense?
Schedule your dissertation defense with the Graduate School by completing and submitting the digital form, Final Dissertation Defense Schedule Form. The Graduate School/Dayla Burgin must receive the completed and fully approved form by the 20th of the month prior to the month of your scheduled final defense. You must have proposal approval at least one semester prior to defending your final dissertation.
When and how do I schedule my final thesis defense?
You will work with your committee to set a date for your final thesis defense. Once set, you will complete the digital form, Notification Form for Final Thesis Defense. TDS must receive the completed and fully approved form no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of your defense.
As a master’s student completing a thesis, am I still required to complete a comprehensive exam?
Yes, all master’s students are required to complete a comprehensive exam covering all the work within their master’s degree. The comprehensive exam is independent of the thesis defense and final thesis.
Do I have to copyright my thesis or dissertation with the U.S. Copyright Office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”
Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works.