The master's candidate should prepare and distribute reading copies of the thesis to each committee member. The reading copy should be in an acceptable format and must include all figures and tables, numbered pages and a complete bibliography. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure the thesis format complies with the Graduate College standards as defined in the "Guidelines For the Preparation of the Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation”.
When the reading copy has received preliminary approval of the major professor, it should be submitted to the Graduate College along with a memorandum from the major professor indicating approval of the reading copy and listing the members of the reading committee. If a tentative defense date has been scheduled, it may be indicated in the memorandum from the major professor. Reading copy deadlines are printed on the Academic Calendar for each semester found on the Admissions and Records website.
Students must submit their reading copy to the Graduate College as a PDF document. The committee will read and determine whether the thesis demonstrates the student's discipline. They may accept or reject it. If rejected, the student will be given another opportunity to submit an acceptable thesis to the committee and the Graduate College. If they accept it, they may require changes and corrections.
When the thesis is acceptable and a degree check indicates the student has completed all course work with acceptable grades, the student may schedule the final oral defense.
