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Checklist: Submitting My Dissertation or Thesis

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The following checklist includes all items that should be prepared in order to complete the submission of your dissertation or thesis, using the Axess Dissertation and Thesis Center 

We recommend that you take all necessary steps in order to upload your dissertation or thesis in time to meet all of the applicable posted deadlines and give your Final Reader plenty of time to approve the dissertation or thesis once it has been uploaded.

Prior to Online Submission

  • Enroll in the quarter for which you intend to submit
  • File online “Application to Graduate” through Axess by the appropriate deadline.
  • Submit Reading Committee Signature Page requirement online.
  • Confirm in Axess:
    • For dissertations: The names of all reading committee members and designate a Final Reader.
      • If a committee member is missing, or has been assigned an incorrect role, meet with your department who maintains reading committees and changes permitted within policy.
    • For thesis: The name of your Thesis Advisor and designate them as your Final Reader.
  • Confirm with your department that your candidacy is valid through your degree conferral date.
  • Confirm with your department that you have completed all required university Milestones.
  • Review Copyright Considerations for Authors of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Discuss embargo and other release options with your co-authors and advisor before preparing the submission online.
  • For students submitting a dissertation: Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates.

During Online Submission 

Ensure your electronic dissertation or thesis is formatted following these guidelines:

  • One electronic copy of the dissertation or thesis in PDF format.
  • Page size is standard U.S. letter size (8.5" x 11"). 
    • For D.M.A Composition students, score page size is 11" x 17".
  • Type size 10, 11, or 12 point. Smaller fonts are acceptable for tables, captions, etc. 
  • Font style is New Times Roman. If applicable, mathematic/scientific notation fonts are embedded in the PDF file.
  • Line spacing of dissertation or thesis text is 1.5 or 2.
  • Margins are 1.5 inches on the binding edge and 1 inch on all other sides.
  • Text is divided correctly.
  • Title page is formatted correctly.
  • No signature page or copyright page is included.
  • Pagination begins with the first page of the Abstract (page “iv” or if formatted for double-sided printing with the Abstract to appear on the right page, then pagination begins with a blank page as page "iv"). Pagination is continuous and placement of numbers is consistent throughout the manuscript.
  • Dissertation contains no multimedia or large images embedded into the PDF file.
  • The dissertation or thesis is ready-for-publication in appearance. All pages and sections are in order.
  • The dissertation or thesis contains no unnumbered pages, except for the title page which is unpaginated, but is assumed page 'i'.
  • PDF file size does not exceed 1 GB.
  • PDF file has no encryption or other security measures applied.
  • One version of the abstract, containing no special text formatting or HTML, entered into an online submission form.
  • Optional: Supplemental file(s). 
    • File size(s) do not exceed 1 GB. 
    • Short description or label is applied to each file after upload. 
    • Maximum 20 supplemental files.
  • Agree to Stanford University publication license.
  • Optional: Limit amount of dissertation or thesis content available via third-party distributors.
  • Optional: Creative Commons license selected and applied.
  • Optional: Delayed release (embargo) of the dissertation or thesis.
  • Written permission from the appropriate copyright holder(s) to reproduce any copyrighted material in the dissertation or thesis. Each letter is formatted and uploaded as a single PDF file. Maximum 10 permission files.

After Online Submission