Approval to defend will not be granted until the format of the document is found to be satisfactory. An additional copy of the document must be deposited with your department for review by anyone who wishes to review it prior to your defense. These include general information about scheduling a defense, submitting appropriate forms, obtaining approvals, etc. The Board of Graduate Studies has established minimal format guidelines that each thesis and dissertation must follow. These requirements are based primarily on archival concerns and styles that ensure legibility established by University Microfilms International and the American Library Association.
Many departments designate additional specific guidelines.
All master's theses and doctoral dissertations that are submitted to the Graduate School must comply with the format guidelines established by the Board of Graduate Studies. This document is called Format Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations. The current Academic Rules and Regulations may be obtained from your department or the Graduate School and is also available on-line as a PDF document. Doctoral students should consult Sections 47.8, 47.9, and 47.10. All students should consult Section XVII Degree Completion Procedures.