Guidelines for PhD Thesis Submission

The submission of a PhD thesis is the culmination of years of rigorous academic research. To ensure a smooth transition from candidate to graduate, students must adhere to the following formal guidelines regarding formatting, administrative requirements, and submission procedures.

1. Formatting Requirements

Consistency and professionalism in presentation are essential. All theses must adhere to the following technical standards:

• Font and Spacing: Use a standard academic font such as Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point size. The main body of the text must be double-spaced.
• Margins: A minimum margin of 1.5 inches must be maintained on the left side (for binding purposes) and 1 inch on the right, top, and bottom.
• Pagination: Preliminary pages (abstract, acknowledgments, table of contents) should use lowercase Roman numerals. The main body of the thesis must use Arabic numerals, starting with 1 on the first page of the introduction.
• Referencing Style: The thesis must strictly follow the citation format mandated by your specific department (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard).

2. Administrative Prerequisites

Before the final manuscript is accepted, candidates must ensure that all administrative milestones have been completed:

• Research Integrity Review: Ensure all ethics committee approvals related to your research remain current and documented.
• Supervisor Approval: The thesis must be formally signed off by the primary supervisor, certifying that it is ready for examination.
• Language Proficiency: If English is not the candidate's first language, the thesis must be proofread for academic rigor and linguistic accuracy prior to submission.

3. Submission Procedure

The submission process involves both digital and physical components:

• Digital Upload: An electronic copy must be submitted via the universitys online portal in PDF format. This file must be optimized for web viewing and accessibility.
• Printed Copies: Candidates are required to submit three hardbound copies to the Graduate School office. These copies should be bound in the institutional color with gold-leaf lettering on the spine.
• Plagiarism Check: All submissions will undergo an automated plagiarism screening. The similarity index must remain within the acceptable threshold defined by the Academic Senate.

4. Abstract and Keywords

The abstract is the most visible part of your thesis. It should be a concise summary of the research problem, methodology, key findings, and implications. The abstract must not exceed 350 words and should be followed by 5-7 keywords that accurately represent the core subjects of your study for indexing purposes.

5. Post-Submission Expectations

Once the thesis has been submitted, the examination board will be appointed. Candidates will be notified of their viva voce (oral defense) date within six weeks. During this period, candidates are expected to remain in communication with the graduate office and ensure their contact information is up to date.