Thesis and Dissertation Information
Welcome
Your thesis (for graduate students) or dissertation (for doctoral students) is the culmination of your graduate program at 福利小视频. This project demonstrates your ability to conduct original research, think critically, and contribute to your field of study.
While you'll have guidance from faculty, committees, and peers, the final document reflects your work, effort, and intellectual growth. Our goal is to make the process clear and manageable so you can focus on producing a study you and 福利小视频 can be proud of.
Important Deadlines
Final, defended drafts must be submitted to the Graduate School for format review by 5:00 p.m. on the dates below:
- Fall 2025: Friday, November 21. Graduation: December 12.
- Spring 2026: Friday, April 17. Graduation: Friday, May 9.
- Summer 2026: Friday, July 11. Graduation is not held during the summer semester.
Submission Notes:
- Send your final drafts to gradreviewer@valdosta.edu at least 3 weeks before graduation.
- Early submissions are encouraged.
- The Graduate School reviews for format and compliance only. Content remains the responsibility of the student and committee. Please note: The review process may extend beyond commencement.
- You must make any required corrections before getting approval to submit the final copy in V-Text and ProQuest (福利小视频's required repositories).
Guides and Procedures
Step 1: Send Your Final Draft
- E-mail the final, defended version of your thesis or dissertation as a PDF to gradreviewer@valdosta.edu by the published deadline.
- Starting Fall 2024, all dissertations must follow APA 7th edition.
- Send any questions in a separate e-mail (do not attach them to your submission).
Important: If your document is submitted after the deadline or edits are not finished by the end of the semester, your graduation will be postponed to the next term.
Step 2: Include the Signature Page
- A signed signature page (with all committee members’ signatures in black or blue ink OR electronic signature) must be included.
- Do not add dates next to the signatures; only include the defense date at the bottom of the page.
- You may submit the signature page separately with your first draft, but the final version must include the Associate Provost’s signature before uploading to ProQuest and V-Text, or binding (binding is optional).
- Submit the original for the Associate Provost’s signature via email, campus mail, or DocuSign.
Step 3: Add Your Contact Information
- In your email submission, include your name, phone number, and 福利小视频 email address in case follow-up is needed.
Step 4: Wait for the Graduate School Review
- The Graduate School reviews for format and compliance only (not content).
- Reviews take about 3–4 weeks, longer at peak times (e.g., near deadlines).
- Submissions are reviewed in the order received—submit early if possible.
- Do not make additional changes unless instructed by the Reviewer.
Step 5: Insert the Final Signature Page
- After your review is complete, the Graduate School will email you the fully signed signature page (with the Associate Provost’s signature).
- Insert this page into your final document before uploading to ProQuest and V-Text OR binding (binding is optional).
Step 6: Upload to ProQuest and V-Text
- Submit your final document through ProQuest. This process automatically deposits your thesis/dissertation in V-Text (福利小视频’s repository).
- Follow the printable guidelines for step-by-step help.
Step 7: Optional – Order Bound Copies
Binding is not required, but many students order copies for themselves, family, or faculty. Options include:
- - upload a PDF file to order printed/bound copies.
- ProQuest - purchase a bound copy when you upload or at a later date (
- Other commercial binding companies of your choice.
All graduate students must complete the forms that apply to their program. Please read carefully to ensure you submit the correct forms on time.
For Master’s and Education Specialist Students
- Thesis Committee Appointment Form (PDF)—Submit to the Graduate School at least 3 semesters before graduation.
- Thesis Defense Notification Form—Submit prior to your scheduled thesis defense.
- Thesis Signature Page Template—Download and use this template to prepare the required signature page for your thesis.
For Doctoral Students
- Admission to Candidacy Form—Confirms successful completion of program milestones.
- Dissertation Committee Appointment Form—Submit after your committee has been confirmed.
- Dissertation Proposal Approval Form—Must include a copy of IRB exemption or approval.
- Dissertation Defense Notification—Submit prior to your scheduled defense.
- Final Approval of Dissertation Form—Submitted after your dissertation has been successfully defended and approved.
- Dissertation Signature Page Template—Download and use this template to prepare the required signature page for your dissertation.
After Graduate School Review
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Submission to ProQuest and V-Text—Required for all approved theses and dissertations. See printable guidelines for instructions.
Getting the formatting right is an important part of the thesis and dissertation process, but you don't have to start from scratch.
We encourage you to download and use the provided templates. These templates are designed to meet Graduate School requirements and will save you time and frustration when putting your document together.
To request the template, please email the Graduate School Program Coordinator, Rosalyn Martinez, at rcmartinez@valdosta.edu while we work to upload the templates to the website.
Available Templates
- Dissertation Template (Qualitative)
- Dissertation Template (Quantitative)
- Thesis Template (Qualitative)
- Thesis Template (Quantitative)
Signature Page Templates
A sample signature page is already included in the above templates; however, if you need only the signature page, you may download it separately here:
Formatting Resources
These resources provide a quick reference to the most common formatting issues students encounter when preparing theses and dissertations. More samples and explanations can be found here: .
Procedural Checklist for Completing a Thesis or Dissertation
For full details, visit the Procedural Checklist Website or download the Printable Procedural Checklist (PDF).
While every program has its own specific requirements (consult your advisor for details), these are the general steps for all students:
- Register for thesis or dissertation hours.
- Develop a tentative proposal.
- Select your committee - Attention: Committee members must hold graduate faculty status. Check the .
- Submit the Thesis or Dissertation Committee Appointment form at least 3 semesters before graduating.
- Prepare a draft of your proposal and obtain committee approval.
- Secure IRB or IACUC Approval/Exemption.
- Doctoral students only: Submit the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form (must include IRB/IACUC approval if applicable.
- Begin research and writing.
- Apply for graduation at least 2 semesters before your intended graduation date.
- Schedule your defense.
- Submit the Thesis or Dissertation Defense Notification Form to the Graduate School.
- Defend your thesis or dissertation.
- Make committee-required edits (if any).
- Submit the approved final draft and signed signature page to the Graduate School by the published semester deadline.
- Submit your approved thesis or dissertation to V-Text and Proquest (see Printable Guidelines).
- Commencement!
- Order regalia (hood, cap/tam, gown) for .
- Celebrate with family and friends at commencement!
Checklist: Required Components & Order
Every thesis or dissertation must follow the required page order below. Use the official templates under Formatting & Templates to make sure your document meets Graduate School standards.
Required Page Order
(Items with an asterisk (*) are optional.)
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Signature Page
- Fair Use and Duplication Release Form
- Abstract
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures or Illustrations
- List of Tables
- Preface*
- Acknowledgments*
- Dedication*
- Body of Text and Nontext Elements
- Endnotes/Footnotes/Text References
- Bibliography/Reference List
- Appendix/Appendices (if applicable)
TIP: Using the downloadable templates will automatically place these components in the correct order and formatting. See the Formatting & Templates section for links and sample pages. Many forms are in PDF format. You may need to update your PDF software to view it.
Below you will find handbooks and program-specific resources designed to guide you through your doctoral journey. Each handbook outlines program requirements, policies, and best practices to help you stay on track from admission through graduation. Please select the appropriate resource for your program:
Your dissertation committee plays a key role in guiding your research, reviewing your work, and supporting you through the defense process. Use this page to learn about faculty members, their areas of research expertise, and how to select a committee that aligns with your dissertation topic.
Important: All committee members must hold graduate faculty status. Be sure to consult the Graduate Faculty Lists, which is also referenced in Step #3 of the Procedural Checklist when selecting your committee.
Dissertation Committee Information - Faculty and their Research Areas/Expertise
COEHS Approved Faculty for Dissertation Committees - Faculty must complete a COEHS application to be approved for serving on a COEHS dissertation committee.
Looking for support with papers, comprehensive exams, theses, or dissertations? Check out this web page for helpful guides, tips, and fun links tailored for graduate students.
On-Campus Support
Graduate student writing tutors are available through the Academic Support Center. Schedule an appointment by calling 229-333-7570 or visiting the Academic Support Center website.
Online Support
You also have access to Knack, a free 24/7 online tutoring platform. Connect with peer tutors who have excelled in the same courses you’re taking and receive personalized, one-on-one writing assistance—anytime, anywhere!
Tip: Using both on-campus and online resources can help you refine your writing and meet Graduate School standards with confidence.
The Graduate School
-
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1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA. 31698 -
Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698 - Phone: 229.333.5694
- Office Hours:
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