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The culmination of your academic journey takes center stage with your theses and dissertations. Here, we guide you through the final steps of your educational adventure, ensuring your scholarly work is recognized and celebrated. Explore the process of thesis publication and graduation application, marking the transition from dedicated student to accomplished graduate.
In order to complete the thesis publication and degree conferral portion of your academic journey, please ensure that you’ve taken the following steps:
1. Finalize Your Dissertation Report.
If no additional changes are indicated at your dissertation defense, your chair can approve the current Dissertation Report in DTS. If any changes are indicated, you must incorporate them into a revised Dissertation Report. After making these changes, post your revised Dissertation Report in DTS for chair approval.
2. Upload Your Dissertation Report to UMI.
Once your Dissertation Report or thesis is approved, follow the directions on the ProQuest/UMI.
During the submission process, you will have the option to request that ProQuest/UMI file for copyright on your behalf. All fees are paid by credit card directly to ProQuest/UMI (not NSU) at the time of initial submission. The signature page should be blank when you submit to ProQuest/UMI.
3. Graduation Application
Complete the Online Application for Degree/Diploma, ensuring that all conditions are met before submitting the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- All financial obligations to Nova Southeastern University must be paid before your degree is conferred.
- Your degree application and payment must be submitted electronically.
- Your dissertation must be successfully defended, signed off in DTS, and uploaded to ProQuest/UMI.
- Your academic adviser must complete a curriculum evaluation to verify that you have met your degree requirements.
Your degree application should be submitted by the time your final term is complete.
First, you must ensure the following:
- All program requirements are complete.
- All grades are posted on the academic transcript, including any transfer of credit.
- Your graduation application has been completed and paid for.
- All obligations regarding the return of library books, special equipment, et cetera, have been met.
From there, the degree application is sent to your program office to be signed, then to the Bursar’s Office for clearance. Once this process is complete, your degree is conferred. NSU uses the last day of the month in which your program was completed as your conferral date.
Diplomas are ordered twice per month. Please do not confuse your degree conferral date with your diploma order date. Your application for degree goes through an internal process and concludes with awarding your degree and then ordering your diploma.
Example: Your approved application for degree completes the internal process and reaches the conferral department within one of the two cutoff dates for ordering diplomas for the month of March. The conferral department will confer your degree (typically backdated to the last day of the month in which you completed your last academic requirement), and submit your application for degree to the diploma order department. Graduates whose diplomas are ordered during the month of March will receive their diplomas in April.
You will receive a letter from the conferral department staff giving you the exact date you should expect to receive your diploma. Included with the letter are one unofficial transcript for your review/record purposes, one official transcript for your use, and an official transcript order form. Diplomas are mailed priority mail for delivery within three to four business days. This does not account for holidays or out-of-country.
Please consult the Frequently Asked Questions on Commencement page before contacting your adviser or NSU’s Office of the University Registrar for additional questions.
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