UK > Graduate School > Current Students > Preparation of Theses and Dissertations > Electronic Thesis Defense Process

Electronic Thesis Defense Process

Step 1:  In order to be eligible for the degree, you must complete the Application for Degree (myUK / Student Services / myRecords / Application for Degree). This must be submitted by the deadline for the semester in which you intend to graduate. For the exact due date, see the university calendar (http://www.uky.edu/Registrar/AcademicCalendar.htm) or the Graduate School Bulletin.

Step 2:  After consulting with your advisor, submit a Final Examination Recommendation (http://www.research.uky.edu/cfdocs/gs/MastersCommittee/Student/Selection_Screen.cfm) form to the Graduate School a minimum of two weeks prior to the specific date of the defense. This form must be complete with date, time, room number and Valid committee. Upon receipt, the Graduate School will check your file to make sure that all requirements to this point have been met.

The final examination must take place no later than eight days prior to the last day of classes of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Final examinations may not be scheduled during the period between semesters or between the end of the eight-week summer session and the beginning of the fall semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for deadlines on the scheduling of final examinations.

Step 3:   After your Final Examination, you have 60 days to submit the final copy of your thesis to the Graduate School in pdf format (or less than 60 days if you want to graduate that semester and the semester deadline is sooner). This must be accompanied by a copy of the Electronic Master's Thesis Approval [PDF] form, signed by your advisor and Director of Graduate Studies. There is a required submission of your thesis for formatting that must be completed before your final submission of thesis. At this time, your thesis will be checked to ensure that it meets format requirements of the Graduate School. It is your responsibility to ensure that the ETD will display clearly and properly on a monitor when accessed, including working links so the ETD can be readily navigated (whether it is composed of a single or multiple files), that the printed pdf version will be clear and legible (including any figures or images); and that fonts have been properly embedded. The Graduate School requires one copy of the approved ETD on CD-ROM. We also require a paper copy of the thesis Title Page, as well as any reprint permission letters and any required third party software licenses.

Thesis Fees

The base thesis fee is $14.00. The charge must be paid at Student Billing Services, 18 Funkhouser Building. No diplomas will be released without payment of the applicable thesis fees.

Direct questions to the Degree Certification Officer for your program.

Checklist of Common Errors [PDF]

FAQ's [PDF]

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