Dissertation & Thesis Overview

Congratulations on nearing the end of your degree program! All of the information you will need to prepare your dissertation or thesis for submission to the Graduate School can be found on this site. Familiarize yourself with the process through the flowchart below and the subpages in the left-hand column under "Dissertation and Thesis Overview."

Download our Dissertation and Thesis Checklist before continuing.

Dissertation/Thesis Deadlines: May 2025 Graduation

Below are deadlines specifically related to your dissertation and thesis approval. See the Graduate Academic Calendar for all Graduate School deadlines.

All oral exams (defenses) must be announced at least 10 days prior to defense, and preliminary technical reviews should be conducted 14 days prior to defense.

Last day to defend for all students: March 28 for Dissertation. April 4 for Thesis.
Last day to submit the final committee-approved manuscript/forms: within 10 days after defense or for dissertation is April 7 and for Thesis is April 14, whichever comes first.

Dissertation and Thesis Process Step-by-Step

Before You Begin Writing

Download our Dissertation and Thesis Checklist.
Review the Guidelines, dissertation template, and other information on our Formatting Resources page.

Preliminary Review

Follow the Preliminary Technical Review instructions to set up an appointment time with the Dissertation and Thesis Office at least 14 days before your defense. The page also includes instructions on how to upload a formatted version of your dissertation or thesis along with appropriate forms to Vireo, the Baylor Submission Portal: https://baylor-etd.tdl.org.

Oral Exam

Department submits Announcement of Oral Examination at least 10 days prior to defense (online form). Review committee and defense requirements prior to submission.
Obtain signatures on Signature Page at oral examination (or electronically immediately following the defense).
Department submits Results of Oral Examination Form to Graduate School (online form via OnBase).

Final Review

Within 10 days after your defense, or by the final semester deadline (whichever comes first):

Submit the following to your account in Vireo:
- Revised dissertation or thesis (electronic)
- Signed signature page (committee & department chair signatures)
Submit the Copyright and Final Approval form online
You will receive feedback from the Dissertation and Thesis Office with further revisions or notification of approval.

ProQuest Submission

After Graduate School Approval:
- Doctoral Students will submit dissertation to ProQuest website (optional for Master's students)
- Doctoral Students Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates at end of term when requested