Requirements for Submitting an ETD

A student submitting an ETD, and an MFA student who may elect to submit a traditional hard-copy thesis, are both bound by the same deadlines and format requirements. A submission will be considered incomplete, and a student may not be allowed to graduate that session, if material is missing from either the ETD or the required paperwork at the time of first or final deposit.

An MFA student may not switch the format of his/her thesis after the first-deposit submission. (All other students are required to submit electronic theses/dissertations.)  If an MFA student submits an electronic thesis at first deposit, the final deposit must also be submitted as an ETD. By the same token, if an MFA student submits a hard-copy thesis at first deposit, the final deposit must be in hard-copy format as well.

1. Finish your thesis or dissertation (hereinafter referred to simply as thesis). The first deposit is to be in complete and final form; it should not be considered a working draft.
2. When you have finished your thesis, log in to the ETD website. If you do not have an account, you can create one by clicking the Submit Your Thesis link.
3. Submit the first deposit of your thesis on the ETD website.  In the unlikely event that your ETD exceeds 250 MB, please contact the Academic Office of the Graduate College (319-335-2144) for processing instructions. Note: As part of the PDF, a doctoral thesis must include an abstract title page and an external abstract.
4. When you submit your thesis, the Graduate College will be notified via email by the ETD website. At that time, we will put the most recent deposit of your thesis received prior to the first-deposit deadline into the queue, to be reviewed in the order in which it arrived. Please note that you must submit your ETD (complete and in final form) on or before 5:00 p.m. (Iowa time) on the first-deposit deadline date.
5. You will receive an email from us notifying you that we have begun to check your thesis, and that further submissions for that deposit deadline will not be accessed for review.
6. Once a thesis examiner has finished reviewing your thesis, you will receive an email, notifying you that revisions are required. Review comments that must be addressed may be found as an attachment to this email.
7. You should make the required revisions by way of the Revise Thesis link at the ETD website, and then submit your final deposit. Remember also to submit the required hard-copy paperwork at 6 Gilmore Hall. You must submit both your ETD and the required hard-copy paperwork on or before 5 p.m. (Iowa time) on the final-deposit deadline date.

   Required paperwork (hard copies) for final deposit for doctoral thesis students:

   • Abstract title page.
   • Signed abstract.
   • Signed Certificate of Approval.

   Required paperwork (hard copies) for final deposit for DMA essay students:

   • Essay title page.
   • Signed Certificate of Approval.

   Required paperwork (hard copies) for final deposit for master's students:

   • Thesis title page.
   • Signed Certificate of Approval.

8. Again, you will receive an email notifying you that the review has begun and that the Graduate College will review only the most recent deposit of your thesis that meets the Graduate College's final-deposit deadline date. Once your thesis has been reviewed, you will receive notice either that your thesis has been accepted or that further revisions are required. Remember to make any required revisions by way of the Revise Thesis link on the ETD website.
9. If you have any questions about problems with your ETD, please contact us at 335-2144 and ask to speak with a thesis examiner about your thesis.