Hampton University requires a thesis from master’s candidates pursuing the Plan A option and a dissertation from all candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The requirements for format and quality are the same for theses and dissertations, despite their individual differences. The Graduate College has the responsibility to ensure the quality and proper formatting for publication of all theses and dissertations written by our students. For proper formatting, please refer to the most recent edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) publication manual as it relates to a thesis or dissertation.  In the event that a student needs assistance in securing editorial assistance, the Graduate College has a listing of approved editors. This listing will be provided upon request, please email hugrad@hamptonu.edu. Each Student must be enrolled/an active student to submit a thesis or dissertation.

• Thesis and Dissertation Manual
• Printable Checklist Timeline for Theses and Dissertations
• HU Approved Editors for Thesis & Dissertations
• Thesis & Dissertation Oral Defense Calendar of Availability

Manuscript Binding Information
All copies of the thesis/dissertation will be bound by ProQuest once uploaded to the ProQuest website by the student.   ProQuest will automatically send two bound copies to the Graduate College for the William R. Harvey Library.  Students are responsible for ordering additional copies for their committee chair/academic department (if required) and/or personal copies (optional).

Steps to Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation

1. Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee

• The Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee form should be filed by the student prior to becoming a candidate for the degree (candidacy). Each member of the committee must sign the form and have curriculum vitae on file with the Graduate College. Once the Graduate College approves the advisory committee, notice will be sent by mail to the committee members and Program Coordinator.
• The Graduate College keeps a copy of the vitae’s of approved committee members on file. The student should request a current vita from new faculty members or faculty members outside of Hampton University who serve on a advisory committee to be submitted with the Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee form.
• If any changes to the committee are made after the form is submitted to the Graduate College. The student must submit a new form complete with the signatures of all the committee members.
• The Thesis Manual provides further guidance regarding the role and appointment of the advisory committee.

2. Apply for Admission to Candidacy and Graduation.

• At least six months (but no more than a year) prior to your expected graduation date, complete and submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree Completion form (specific to your program). This form serves as an application for candidacy, and as an application for graduation. Only students who: have met all admission requirements, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, have passed the Qualifying Examination (doctoral candidates only), and do not have any incomplete course work (with the exception of research courses) are eligible to apply. Note: Other departmental requirements may affect eligibility for candidacy, please check with your advisor.
• If you do not graduate during the expected term, complete and submit a Graduation Update form according to published deadlines. You must have a current graduation application on file and be enrolled in order to graduate.

Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.

3. Electronic Submission of Thesis or Dissertation for Graduate College Review.

• An electronic copy of the student’s thesis or dissertation must be emailed to the Graduate College Counselor two weeks prior to oral defense date for review & approval to move forward with the oral defense.
• The student must plan accordingly to have their thesis or dissertation submitted to the Graduate College in order to schedule their defense within the deadline.

4. Successfully complete an oral presentation and defense.

• Your Request to Conduct the Oral Thesis/Dissertation Defense must be approved by the Graduate College. The form should be submitted at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the defense.
• Numerous drafts should have been reviewed by the committee resulting in a final manuscript before the defense. The student has seven days to submit the final copies of the manuscript to Graduate College after a successful defense- allowing time for minor changes to be made to the manuscript before the deadline.
• The Thesis Manual provides further guidance regarding the oral thesis/dissertation defense.
• When possible, the Dean or a representative from the Graduate College will attend the defense.

^{5. Submit one copy of the final manuscript to the Graduate College for review on regular paper along with the Thesis/Dissertation Transmittal form. The Graduate College will not review the student’s thesis or dissertation without the respective signatures on the Transmittal Form.}

• One copy of the manuscript in final form must be submitted to the Graduate College by 5:00pm seven days after a successful defense (i.e. if you defend on the Tuesday, your final copies are due to the Graduate college the following Tuesday).
• The Thesis/Dissertation Transmittal form is to be submitted to the Graduate College before a compliance review of the manuscript can begin.
• The Graduate College reserves the right to reject a manuscript that is submitted after the deadline – this is likely to delay the student’s graduation date and will require an update of the thesis/dissertation.
• Refer to the Thesis Manual for detailed information regarding the submission of your thesis/dissertation.
• If corrections are required by Graduate College, students should note that the thesis/dissertation will only be accepted once for re-submission.
• Once the manuscript has been approved by the Graduate College, students are to follow the upload and binding instructions from the Graduate College.

Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.

6. Publish your manuscript or abstract.

• Currently, you are not required to publish your thesis/dissertation; however it is strongly encouraged by the Graduate College. Please talk with your committee chair or Program Coordinator regarding issues related to publishing your manuscript. The Graduate College and your Program Coordinator have publishing agreements available for the one of the oldest and most established publishing companies, University Microfilms (UMI) also known as ProQuest. These forms and more information can also be found on the UMI website.

7. Update your address with the Graduate College.

• Please inform the Graduate College of your permanent address if it changes post-graduation.