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Theses and Dissertations
Writing, Defending and Publishing Your Research
Your thesis or dissertation is the capstone of your original research work for your master’s or doctoral degree. The Graduate School uses the Clemson OPEN ETD portal for reviewing, electronic publishing and archiving of your work. Once approved, your thesis or dissertation will be published through the University’s Clemson OPEN repository.
Review the Thesis and Dissertation Resources
- Templates, Links & Tools to get you started creating your document.
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Embargoes (Delay of Publication).
- Programs that Require a Bound Copy.
- Plagiarism.
- Final ETD Checklist (PDF).
Steps for Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation
Formatting
There are specific formatting guidelines your document must follow to be approved for publication according to the Graduate School’s standards.
Defending Your Work
Schedule your presentation with the Graduate School, present it to your graduate committee and get signatures on your defense forms.
Converting Your Manuscript
There are specific formatting and file guidelines for transferring your document from its original file format to the PDF accepted by the ETD system.
Submitting Your Manuscript
Upload your PDF manuscript to the Clemson OPEN ETD system for review and receive feedback, usually in 1-3 business days.
Revising your Manuscript
Manuscript reviewers will notify you if revisions are required before your thesis or dissertation can be accepted. (Many require at least one round of revisions.)
Finishing the Process
Once you receive your acceptance email, you’ve finished. Congratulations!
The Next Step:
Check Your Deadlines
Staying on top of your deadlines can be the difference between graduating on time or having to wait another semester. Know when deadlines are coming up for the steps in this process, so you can plan ahead, structure your schedule and minimize your stress level as you approach graduation day.
Deadlines by Graduation Date