Administration review of the thesis or dissertation

The thesis or dissertation requirements may differ for individual schools and departments. Graduate students must check with the appropriate individuals in their schools to determine specific requirements and to review the degree requirements as listed in the VCU graduate and professional study bulletins.

Thesis or non-thesis equivalent

Master’s candidates may have a thesis — or its equivalent in the form of a research project, performance, exhibit or other production — requirement. In some departments, master’s degree candidates may elect a non-thesis option. In such cases, the department may allow a candidate to change from the thesis to the non-thesis option, or vice versa, once. Such action requires written approval of the department head and the faculty advisor and/or the student’s advisory committee.

Dissertation

All doctoral candidates are required to prepare dissertations.

Acceptance for defense

Students are encouraged to take an original copy of their theses or dissertations to the chairs of their committees to have the copy checked for format errors before reproducing the documents. Copy is prepared according to standards approved by the students’ schools.

Following general acceptance of a document’s format, style and readiness for final defense by the advisory committee, the final defense is scheduled [PDF]. The final defense examination schedule is distributed by the student’s advisory committee to the university community.

Final approval

At the time of the defense, a thesis or dissertation must be approved by members of a student’s advisory committee with no more than one negative vote. A committee member’s approval is given by signing the approval form for thesis and dissertation and final oral defense [PDF]. A disapproving committee member should elect to provide a written dissenting opinion to be sent to the Graduate School.

Due dates for thesis or dissertation

The student’s faculty committee will determine the dates of the oral defense and submission of drafts to the committee. Ordinarily, one week will elapse between the final oral examination, making final typing corrections and submitting the final copy to the dean for signature. The student should allow for this period in planning to meet the university deadlines posted on the academic calendar. Some schools require that degree completion forms be submitted with the thesis or dissertation. A school may set an earlier date. Students should be aware of all forms necessary for graduation required within their schools. Submission of the thesis or dissertation to the dean’s office means it has been defended successfully as judged by the student’s committee and department chair.

The doctoral candidate must complete a Survey of Earned Doctorates form no later than the date the signature page is submitted to the dissertation committee. The form is obtained from, and should be returned to:

Graduate School Dean’s Office
Moseley House, 1001 Grove Avenue
P.O. Box 843051
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3051
Phone: (804) 828-2233