The Graduate School
118 Linton Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing MI 48824
Hours: 8-12 & 1-5
Monday through Friday
Phone: (517) 355-0301
msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu
What will this teach you?
1. How to successfully COMPLETE
your degree & receive your diploma
2. How to FORMAT your
thesis/dissertation
3. How to successfully SUBMIT your
electronic thesis/dissertation
But before any of that…
• These requirements apply to all dissertations
and all “Plan A” Masters theses.
• “Plan B” Masters students should contact
their department for information regarding
submission.
DEGREE COMPLETION FLOWCHART
THE SEMESTER OF INTENDED GRADUATION
Responsibility of Student
•Complete and Submit Application for Graduation
•Check deadline dates
•Completion of program requirements, see Academic Programs at
http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Default.asp
•Submit thesis or dissertation to ProQuest/UMI via the Graduate
School webpage with all necessary paperwork
•Complete Survey(s)
Responsibility of the Graduate School
Responsibility of the Department
•Final acceptance of thesis or dissertation
•Submit Final Certification Form to the Office
of The Registrar certifying student to graduate
•Forward acceptance email with pertinent information to
Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar
•Verify approval of Final Certification Form
•Verify acceptance email forwarded from the Graduate School
•Issue Diploma
DEGREE COMPLETED
Responsibility of Student
• Complete and Submit Application for Graduation
• Check deadline dates
• Must be enrolled for 1 credit the semester of
defense, but do not have to be enrolled to make
revisions
• Completion of program requirements, see
Academic Programs Catalog at
http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/
• Submit thesis or dissertation to ProQuest/UMI via
the Graduate School webiste with all necessary
paperwork, see http://grad.msu.edu/etd/
Available online at:
http://www.reg.msu.edu/StuFo
rms/GradApp/GradApp.asp
Available in Room 150
Administration
Building
All students must apply
to graduate!
NOTE: if you apply for
Graduation during a specific
semester, but do not complete
all necessary items that same
semester, you must reapply to
graduate for a different specific
semester! Your application to
graduate does not carry over to
the next semester.
Responsibility of the Graduate
School
• Final acceptance of thesis or
dissertation
• Forward acceptance email with
pertinent information to Office of the
Registrar
Responsibility of the Department
• Submit Final Certification Form to the
Office of The Registrar certifying student
to graduate
Responsibility of The Office of
the Registrar
• Verify approval of Final Certification Form (Department)
• Verify acceptance email forwarded from the
Graduate School
• Issue Diploma
• If you have questions regarding Degree Certification
please contact:
Susie Korkoske
Office of the Registrar
Degree and Certification
Phone: (517) 432-5911
Email: chmiko@msu.edu
Electronic Submission
Deadline Date
The deadline date to submit an electronic
Thesis or Dissertation to the
Graduate School is FIVE working days
prior to the first day of classes
for the ‘next’ semester.
TEMPLATES
The Graduate School does
NOT support or endorse
any type of template for
thesis or dissertation writing.
PLEASE USE THIS WEBSITE!!
Formatting Guide for Electronic
Submission of Master's Theses
and Doctoral Dissertations
http://grad.msu.edu/etd/docs/formattingguide.pdf
Make sure to review the formatting guide BEFORE you submit your
document to ProQuest/UMI via the Graduate School website.
Every thesis/dissertation is
composed of three parts:
1. PRELIMINARY PAGES
2. TEXT
3. REFERENCE MATERIALS
1 Inch
Margins:
Left
Top
Right
Bottom
For entire
document
Page number always goes ½ inch from bottom, centered on
the portrait side of page
Table 1 - Pagination and Sequencing
SEQUENCE
Preliminary Pages
PAGINATION
Lower Case Roman Numerals
PAGE NUMBER PLACEMENT
Title Page
Count/Do Not Number
None
Abstract
Count/Do Not Number
None
Copyright Notice
Count/Do Not Number
None
Dedication
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Acknowledgements
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Preface
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Table of Contents
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
List of Tables
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
List of Figures
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Key to Symbols or Abbreviations
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Text
Arabic Numbers Starting at 1
Introduction
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Body of Thesis/Dissertation
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Reference Pages
Continue with Arabic Numbers
Cover Sheet for Appendices
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Appendices
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Cover Sheet for Bibliography
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Bibliography
Count/Number
Bottom/Center
Sample
Thesis
Title Page
Sample
Dissertation
Title Page
Michigan State University
Degree Granting Unit/Program
• A complete list of Degree Granting Units/Programs is
available on the Graduate School website,
http://grad.msu.edu/etd/docs/DegreeGrantingUnits.pdf
• Only the units/programs listed here are approved by
Michigan State University.
Types of Degrees
• Michigan State University awards the
following degrees:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Master of Arts
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations
Master of Music
Master of Science
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Doctor of Philosophy
Sample
Abstract
Page
1.0”
margin
Your copyright
should look like
this.
You may place it
anywhere within the
required margins.
Copyright page is
counted but does
not have a page
number.
Copyright by
JANE DOE
2010
1.0”
margin
1.0”
margin
1.0”
margin
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INCORRECT
CORRECT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables………………………………iv
List of Figures……………………………...vii
Chapter 1…………………………………...1
Chapter 2…………………………………...15
2.1 where am I to go from here?.......17
2.2 to have my document checked...19
Table of Contents
iii
List of Figures
XI
List of Tables
xii
Chapter 1
1
Chapter 2
15
2.1 where am I to go from here?
17
2.2 to have my document checked 19
Single space within chapters, only double space between chapters.
LIST OF TABLES & LIST OF FIGURES
CORRECT
INCORRECT
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 This shows ………………….…….….xi
Figure 1.2 This is ..……………………………….xii
Figure 2.1 Where am I to go from here?...…….27
Figure 2.2 To have my document checked
before I submit……………………...19
LIST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER 1
Figure 1 This shows……………………..15
Figure 1 This is……………………………18
Chapter 2
Figure 1 Where am I to go from here?.....27
Figure 2 To have my document checked.29
LIST OF TABLES and LIST OF FIGURES, (these are separate lists and cannot be
combined.)
•Format is single space within entry and double space between entries.
•Leader dots to page numbers are optional.
•Each table and figure must have its own distinct number in the document and they must
appear in order in the document.
FONT SIZES
MAIN TEXT
12-point fonts equivalent to
Microsoft Word are required for all
components of the document
Most common fonts are:
–
–
–
–
Arial
Courier
Helvetica
New Times Roman
SCRIPTS
•
Superscripts and subscripts must
not be less than a 10-point font
FONT SIZE & IMAGE CLARITY in Tables,
Figures, Schemes, or Equations
– All important information in a table, figure or
scheme, or equation must be crisp, clear and
distinct.
– Text must not blend into the background
– All text must be at least a regular size
12-point font, nothing smaller.
– Superscripts and subscripts must not be less
than a 10-point font
– No text can intersect table or figure lines or
overlap other text.
The font used in this
figure is too small to
survive the microfilming
process.
Equations: All text must
be at least a regular size
12-point font, nothing less.
Superscripts and
subscripts must not be
less than a 10-point font.
BEFORE
AFTER
unacceptable
acceptable
IMAGE
CLARITY
Distinct
text
Indistinct
text
Sample Table
Tables must be flawless
and cannot have lines that
pass through letters or
words. Lines cannot hide
or overlap text and text
cannot overlap tables.
Be consistent, if you
single space one table,
then single space all
tables.
25
Sample Figure
All text must be
flawless and
cannot have lines
that pass through
letters or words.
Figures must be
sufficiently clear,
sharp, and large
enough to be
easily readable
and suitable for
microfilming.
6
6
Use of Color
• In regular copies and on microfilm all colors appear as
shades of gray, at best, and some colors disappear.
Cross-hatching may be necessary to symbolize color
distinctions.
• When using color, students must include the following
sentence in the legend of the first color image in the
document. “For interpretation of the references to color
in this and all other figures, the reader is referred to the
electronic version of this thesis (or dissertation).”
MARGINS/PAGE NUMBERING
8.5 side of paper (always)
Centered
½ inch from bottom of page
1
Page numbering
8.5 side of paper
Centered
½ inch from bottom of page
Page numbering
Margins:
Top 1 inch
Left 1 inch
Right 1 inch
Bottom 1 inch
Margins:
Left 1 inch
Top 1 inch
Right 1 inch
Bottom 1 inch
LANDSCAPED page
Normal page
1
Page number must be centered at least .5 inch
from the bottom, always when in portrait position.
LANDSCAPED PAGES
51
Left, Top,
Right &
Bottom
Margins are
always 1 inch
Page number must be centered at least .5 inch
from the bottom, always when in portrait position.
Reference Pages
• We will now cover the Reference pages.
• Components of the Reference Pages
are……
Components of the Reference Pages
• Cover sheet for
Appendices
• Appendices
• Cover sheet for
Bibliography
• Bibliography
Use of a cover sheet for the appendices and bibliography is
required.
Reference Pages can be placed at the end of each chapter or at
the end of the document, but must be the same for all chapters.
NOTE: The BIBLIOGRAPHY pages are always last,
regardless of being placed at the end of the chapter or
at the end of the document.
MAJOR FORMATTING PROBLEMS
OFTEN SEEN ARE:
– Incorrect page numbering of the preliminary
pages
– Incorrect Margins
– Incorrect text font size
– Title page formatting
– Table of Contents and List of Tables and
Figures formatted incorrectly
– Clarity of text in tables and figures
– Tables and Figures numbered incorrectly
Electronic Submission
• By following the step by step instructions
on the Graduate School website, you will
be able to submit electronically your
thesis/dissertation successfully.
• Now, let’s get started…
EVERY STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING :
1. Prepare your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation following
the specific instructions in the Graduate School Formatting
Guide
2. Submit Your Approval Form to the Graduate School
3. Complete the Graduate School Exit Survey
4. Doctoral Students must complete the Survey of Earned
Doctorates (SED) online
5. Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/grad.msu and follow the
directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to Michigan
State University via ProQuest/UMI.
EVERY STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING :
1. Prepare your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation following the
specific instructions in the Graduate School Formatting Guide
2. Submit Your Approval Form to the Graduate School
3. Complete the Graduate School Exit Survey
4. Doctoral Students must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
(SED) online
5. Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/school?siteId=295
and follow the directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to
Michigan State University via ProQuest/UMI.
ALL STUDENTS MUST
SUBMIT THE
APPROVAL FORM
If you did not use any human
or animal subjects, you must
check “No” for each box.
If you used any human or
animal subjects, you must
check “Yes” for the appropriate
box(es).
-you will also have to submit a copy of
the IRB or IACUC approval letter
showing your name.
You’ll need both your
signature, and the signature
of your major professor.
Approval Form Submission
• By email msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu
• By fax 517.353.3355
• Hard copy delivered to 118 Linton Hall
Michigan State University
Degree Granting Unit/Program
• A complete list of Degree Granting Units/Programs is
available on the Graduate School website,
http://grad.msu.edu/etd/docs/DegreeGrantingUnits.pdf
•
Only the units/programs listed here are approved by
Michigan State University.
If you used human
subjects, you must
provide a copy of
the approval letter
(showing your
name).
HUMAN SUBJECTS CONTACT
Attn: Steven Smith
irb@msu.edu
202 Olds Hall
Phone: 355-2180
Website:
http://www.humanresearch.msu.edu/
If you used
vertebrate animal
subjects, you must
provide a copy of
the approval letter.
Showing your
name.
RESEARCH WITH ANIMALS
CONTACT
Attn: Candace Flynn, IACUC
Flynnc@msu.edu
A620 E. Fee Hall
Phone: 432-4151
Website:
http://www.iacuc.msu.edu/
EVERY STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING :
1. Prepare your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation following the
specific instructions in the Graduate School Formatting Guide
2. Submit Your Approval Form to the Graduate School
3. Complete the Graduate School Exit Survey
4. Doctoral Students must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
(SED) online
5. Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/school?siteId=295
and follow the directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to
Michigan State University via ProQuest/UMI.
Graduate School Exit Survey On-line
Instructions
Your participation in this survey is of importance and it is
greatly appreciated by the Graduate School. The
Graduate School uses data from this survey when
reviewing graduate programs and to guide decisions
about services and initiatives for graduate students.
Only students who have applied for graduation will have
access to the online survey and the identity of all
respondents will be kept confidential.
You can access the survey at the following website:
https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/csp_gas/AppLogin.Asp
Complete the Graduate School
Exit Survey
EVERY STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING :
1. Prepare your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation following the
specific instructions in the Graduate School Formatting Guide
2. Submit Your Approval Form to the Graduate School
3. Complete the Graduate School Exit Survey
4. Doctoral Students must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
(SED) online
5. Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/school?siteId=295
and follow the directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to
Michigan State University via ProQuest/UMI.
Survey of Earned Doctorates
(SED) online
• Go to http://survey.norc.org/doctorate and complete the
registration process
• You will be sent an email with your PIN and password
and a link to the web survey
• When you reach the end of the survey, provide the
following email address,
msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu so that notification can
be sent to Michigan State University Graduate School
Office.
Doctoral Students must complete the
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) online
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)
• Michigan State University requires verification of
completion of the survey. At the end of the
questionnaire, there will be a place to enter an email
address. Please enter this email address,
msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu, and a notification of
completion will be sent to the Michigan State University
Graduate School Office.
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)
msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu
EVERY STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING :
1. Prepare your Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation following the
specific instructions in the Graduate School Formatting Guide
2. Submit Your Approval Form to the Graduate School
3. Complete the Graduate School Exit Survey
4. Doctoral Students must complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
(SED) online
5. Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/grad.msu and follow the
directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to Michigan State
University via ProQuest/UMI.
Now, go to http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/school?siteId=295
and follow the directions for submitting your thesis/dissertation to
Michigan State University via ProQuest/UMI.
Instructions for Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation to
Michigan State University via ProQuest/UMI.
Dissertation/Thesis Details
Supplemental Files
Supplemental Files
• Please note that Michigan State University
does not allow the use of OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTARY FILES (audio, video,
etc.), so please disregard this option
when you prepare your electronic
submission.
Use of Reprints
• Students using reprints of previously published
copyrighted material must obtain permission from
the appropriate publisher.
• The permission letter/memo can be included in the
document appendices or sent directly to
ProQuest/UMI via email at disspub@proquest.com
or by mail to ‘Author and School Relations’, 789 E.
Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346
Sample Letter for REPRINTS
•
Permission of a reprint is required by
ProQuest/UMI the company that publishes your
thesis/dissertation, not by MSU.
•
You will need a letter from the original publisher
giving permission.
•
You can use this Sample Permission Letter when
seeking permission to use reprints of previously
copyrighted articles in your thesis/dissertation.
•
A Sample Permission Letter for Use of Previously
Copyrighted Material can be found at
http://grad.msu.edu/etd/docs/PermissionLtr.pdf
Resources
The Graduate School
ProQuest/UMI
Phone Number: 355-0301
Phone Number: 1.877.408.5027
E-mail: msuetds.approval@grd.msu.edu E-mail: etdsupport@proquest.com
Address: 118 Linton Hall
Research with Animals
Contact Person: Candace Flynn
Phone Number: 432-4151
E-mail: Flynnc@msu.edu
Address: A620 E. Fee Hall
Web Address:
http://www.iacuc.msu.edu/
Provides a Copy Service
Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
Phone Number: 353-9189
Address: 316 Student Services
Degree and Certification
Contact Person: Susie Korkoske
Phone Number: 432-5911
E-mail: chmiko@msu.edu
Human Research Protection
Program (IRB)
Contact Person: Steven Smith
Phone Number: 355-2180
E-mail: irb@msu.edu
Address: 202 Olds Hall
Web Address:
http://www.humanresearch.msu.edu/