Sequence for Submission of Paperwork

Begin this process approximately one month before you defend your dissertation or thesis. (See also the Graduation Paperwork Checklist on this page.)

Step 1

Download the appropriate thesis/dissertation Submission Packet.
It will contain manuscript formatting guidelines and the following forms:

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Step 2

Successfully defend your dissertation or thesis.

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Step 3

Pay the Publication and Processing Fee at the University Cashier's office.

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Step 4

Present all items listed in Step One to your Graduate Advisor, who will review the paperwork, sign The Graduate School Documentation Review form, and process the Verification of Completion of the Requirements for the Doctoral (or Master's) Degree form. line

Step 5

In the semester in which you anticipate submitting your manuscript, create a dissertation or thesis submission profile on The Graduate School website. line

Step 6

Submit the following items to The Graduate School by the appropriate deadline
(see Thesis/Dissertation Submission Deadlines):
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Step 7

The thesis editing staff will inspect the above paperwork and clear you to upload your manuscript.

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Step 8

Once you have been cleared to upload the manuscript, your Graduate Advisor will receive an e-mail requesting submission of the Verification of Completion of the Requirements for the Doctoral (or Master's) Degree form within three weeks. (This form can be included with all other graduation documents if it is completed by the time you are ready to submit your paperwork.)

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Step 9

Before the appropriate deadline date and time, upload your manuscript for editing as a single PDF file.

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Step 10

The thesis editing staff will review your manuscript and notify you via e-mail that corrections are available. You can view the corrections on the Thesis and Dissertation Online Processing website.

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Step 11

Make all requested corrections and upload the final corrected version (approved by the thesis editing staff) of the manuscript.

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Step 12

Once your manuscript has been approved by the thesis editing staff, you must upload an exact copy of the final approved PDF version of your manuscript to the USC Libraries.

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Step 13

The Thesis Editor signs the Verification of Completion of the Requirements for the Doctoral (or Master's) Degree form (received from your Graduate Advisor) and enters the completion date on SIS, which indicates that your degree can be posted. (Your degree can be posted by the USC Office of Degree Progress only if your Graduate Advisor has accurately verified completion of all requirements.)


Thesis/Dissertation Checklist

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