FAQ Theses & Dissertations

What if my 60 Day deadline has passed, can I receive an extension?

Once you have taken your final exam, you have 60 days to submit your Final Copy to the Graduate School or fewer than 60 days if you defend late in the semester and wish to graduate that same semester. If you need more time you must ask your DGS to email the Associate Dean in the Graduate School to appeal for an extension.

Please note: Your document will not be accepted by the Graduate School if your 60 day deadline has passed and an extension has not been approved.

You must obtain an approval prior to our acceptance of your Final Copy.

If you are planning to graduate within the semester in which you are submitting your Final Copy, the semester deadline supersedes your 60 day deadline, and you must follow the deadlines for that semester--even if your 60 day deadline comes after the stated semester deadline for submission of Final Copies.

How much are the Thesis and Dissertation Processing Fees?

Thesis Fee is $14.00
Dissertation Fee is $74.00

Dissertation Only: ProQuest submission is now optional and must be initiated by the student directly to ProQuest. For students who want to register the copyright for their dissertations, which is also optional, they can do so themselves by visiting the US Copyright Registration Portal or by contacting ProQuest for its fee-based service at 1-800-521-0600 ext. 77020 or via email.

When your Final Copy is accepted by the Graduate School, your fees will be added to your Student Account to cover the cost of processing your Thesis or Dissertation. The bill must then be paid online via myUK or in Student Account Services (18 Funkhouser Building).

What is the Survey of Earned Doctorates?

The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) gathers data from all doctoral graduates each year. The responses become part of the Doctoral Records File, a virtually complete data bank on doctorate recipients from 1920 to the present. These data serve policymakers at the federal, state, local and university levels.

Doctoral students will receive access to the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) when your First Format Check is completed. After completing the SED, scan the confirmation and submit it to UKnowledge per the instructions in the submission guide.

Privacy: Information you provide is kept confidential and is safeguarded in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The survey data are reported only in aggregate form or in a manner that does not identify information about any individual. Your information is vital to future program development and funding.

How long does the First Format Check take?

It could take five (5) business days for the corrections to be sent to you depending on the time of year and the number of documents on which the office is currently working. You will be emailed when your document has been reviewed.

I just turned in my Final Document, can I get a Degree Certification Letter today?

No. Once you have completed all requirements, all grades are posted, and you have submitted your Final Documents and required forms, your submission must be accepted before you can submit the Request for Degree Certification Letter. This means that the Thesis or Dissertation accepted date MUST be displayed at the end of your UK Transcript before you can make this request. Once it has been processed, the end of your transcript will state: "Thesis Accepted - Master's" or "Dissertation Accepted - Doctoral." Check your WebUK Transcript for this date.

Once your transcript reflects the accepted date, you may request a Degree Certification Letter by submitting the form linked above to the Academic Affairs Officer for your program.

It takes a minimum of 3-4 business days to receive the letter; during peak times of the year it takes 5-6 business days. You must plan ahead if you know you will require a Degree Certification Letter. Generally speaking it is not possible to receive these letters on short notice.

When will I receive my Diploma?

Diplomas are mailed by the Registrar's Office 60-90 days after the Official End of the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Check with the Registrar's Office to ensure they have your correct diploma address. Typically, it takes the full 90 days after the official end of the semester for diplomas to be mailed. Example: If Fall semester officially ends December 15^th, diplomas would not be mailed until March 15^th at the earliest.

Will the Graduate School arrange Bound Copies for me?

The Graduate School does not provide this service. Below is a list of companies you may contact for binding services.

The following list of bookbinding companies is provided to Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation students for information purposes only. This listing does not in any way constitute an endorsement of any of these companies by the Graduate School.