Information for Graduate Program Administrators
Departmental Approval Forms and the Departmental Review
Graduate program administrators explain the procedures for a departmental review of dissertations each quarter, and they provide information on the amount of time the department needs for this review. The review occurs when the dissertation is in its final form and ready to be submitted. The departmental review is not a draft review. After the dissertation defense, the student should complete revisions recommended by the dissertation committee and then proofread and copy edit the dissertation. When the dissertation is in its final form, the dissertation is ready for the departmental review. Either the student or the administrator can provide the chair of the department or dean of the professional school with a copy of the final version of the dissertation pdf and with any supplemental or additional files. The student should receive a signed copy of the Departmental Approval Form once the dissertation has been approved by the department.
Before a student submits their dissertation to Knowledge@UChicago, the student must upload a completed copy of the Departmental Approval Form, signed by the department chair or dean of the professional school. The approval form confirms that the dissertation is in its final form, meets the University-Wide Requirements for the Ph.D. Dissertation, and has been accepted as satisfying the degree requirements of the department or school.
After the student has submitted the dissertation to Knowledge@UChicago, the student cannot make any revisions other than those that may be requested by Dissertation Office staff.
Survey of Earned Doctorates
Students may register for the Survey of Earned Doctorates while the departmental review is underway. The University asks doctoral candidates to complete two surveys.
Dissertation Submissions
Early submissions are welcome, but students should wait until the end of one quarter before submitting a dissertation for the next quarter. Graduate program administrators may refer students to the Dissertation Office for assistance with final submissions of their dissertations. Dissertation Office staff will keep program administrators up-to-date with the status of dissertation submissions.
Students who would like to submit a dissertation to ProQuest in addition to Knowledge@UChicago should contact Colleen Mullarkey in the Dissertation Office.
Deadlines
Final Submissions
The dissertation defense and any revisions recommended by the dissertation committee must occur prior to departmental approval and prior to the final submission. Students are welcome to file dissertations at any time after the end of the previous quarter but must file no later than:
- Summer 2024: Wednesday, July 24, 4:30 p.m.
- Autumn 2024: Wednesday, November 13, 4:30 p.m.
- Winter 2025: Wednesday, February 19, 4:30 p.m.
- Spring 2025: Wednesday, May 7, 4:30 p.m.
Other Deadlines and Policies