On Line Template Tutorials Are Here!

We've identified the major challenges in using the Word Template and have created two tutorials to help simplify the process. Click here to link to the tutorials.

Fall 2009 Hours

Thesis Review office hours are Monday to Friday 12:30pm - 4:30pm. However, it is recommended that you always schedule an appointment to meet with the Dissertation and Thesis Reviewer. If she is unavailable, you may also contact Graduate Affairs at 594-5213 for assistance.

NOTE: Presubmittal consultations will NOT be offered this fall due to time constraints. For assistance with formatting, see the left-side navigation bar for the following links: FAQs, formatting, Dissertation & Thesis Manual, and Templates. (The Templates page includes information about related workshops.) However, you may contact the Thesis Reviewer with specific questions or if you are having a problem using the Word template.

For questions about deadlines or the submittal and intake process, click on the Deadlines and Procedures links on the left side of this page.

Master's Theses and Projects

The Graduate Council has adopted regulations and criteria that establish uniformity in physical format for all Plan A master's theses and projects submitted in fulfillment of advanced degree requirements (Plan A requires enrollment in 799, Thesis). These regulations are contained in the SDSU Dissertation & Thesis Manual (DTM) and in the reference manuals or instructional material approved by the faculty for the individual degree programs. SDSU shelves the approved thesis/project in Love Library, thus making the work available to other students, faculty, and researchers.

Doctoral Dissertations

Doctoral dissertations must also conform to regulations guiding physical format. For those SDSU doctoral programs that are administered jointly with a cooperating institution, the physical format of dissertations will be governed either by SDSU regulations or those of the cooperating institution as determined by the contract between the two institutions. The link to Doctoral Program Contact Information lists all joint programs, the name of the cooperating institution, and contact information for both campuses. Direct any questions about dissertation formatting to the persons on this list. Dissertations are submitted to UMI Dissertation Publishing and both universities shelve the approved dissertation in their libraries, thus making the work available locally and internationally to other students, faculty, and researchers.

Doctoral dissertations for students enrolled in the standalone SDSU College of Education Doctoral Program (Ed.D) in Education Leadership will format their dissertations according to the current departmental requirement of APA 5th addition guidelines. Since these guidelines vary from the SDSU guidelines, these students will not use the SDSU DTM or the MS Word template found on this website for the preparation of their dissertations.

Purpose of the Dissertation and Thesis Review Service

The Dissertation and Thesis Reviewer provides guidance as well as compliance review. In terms of Guidance, the Reviewer, via this web site or direct contact, can provide information about formatting requirements, planning issues, policies, procedures, and instructional support materials (see the navigation links on the left side of this page). In terms of Compliance Review, the Reviewer examines all applicable doctoral dissertations as well as Plan A master's theses and projects to ensure quality and conformity with university requirements as well as basic departmental requirements. This formal review occurs after the members of the faculty committee have signed the dissertation/thesis signature page indicating their approval of the dissertation/thesis content. However, students are invited to contact the reviewer for formatting guidance at any point during manuscript preparation.

Students using Microsoft Word will do much better if they start using the DTM and corresponding SDSU Template at the time they prepare their dissertation or thesis proposal. Click on the Formatting link on the left side of this page for detailed information.

Presubmittal Consultations -- Not available during the fall 2009 semester due to time constraints.

When offered, each student will be allowed one (1) 15-20 minute presubmittal consultation with the Dissertation and Thesis Reviewer as time permits. After the without-risk deadline, no presubmittal consultations will be scheduled, but students may continue to contact the Reviewer with specific questions.

The purpose of the pre-submittal consultation is to complete a brief and informal review of your formatted thesis (or chapters that are formatted up to this point). For a focused, productive consultation, highlight the areas where you are having problems and have your questions prepared in advance.

External Support

The List of Formatters and Other Professionals (left-side navigation link) provides a list of professionals who offer their services to format, edit, and provide statistical support for dissertations, theses, and projects for SDSU graduate students. Although the Dissertation and Thesis Review Service makes every effort to list only those who are qualified to perform these services, SDSU neither sets fees nor guarantees the quality of work of any of the individuals on the list.

Last revised: 10-5-09