The Graduate School

For December Graduation:

October 1: Deadline to apply for graduation through myWCU
November 1: Doctoral candidates confirm project title for commencement program
November 30 at 5pm EST: Theses & Doctoral Projects signed off by committee due for online submission (see Submission section). Doctoral candidates who meet this deadline will be permitted to walk in the December commencement ceremony.

For May Graduation:

February 1: Deadline to apply for graduation through myWCU
March 8: Doctoral candidates confirm project title for commencement program
April 30 at 5pm EST: Theses & Doctoral Projects signed off by committee due for online submission (see Submission section). Doctoral candidates who meet this deadline will be permitted to walk in the May commencement ceremony.

For August Graduation:

June 1: Deadline to apply for graduation through myWCU
July 30 at 5pm EST: Theses & Doctoral Projects signed off by committee due for online submission (see Submission section). Doctoral candidates whose degrees are conferred in August are eligible to walk in the Fall commencement ceremony.

WCU Manual for Culminating Graduate Research

Research Compliance Form - Students doing a thesis or doctoral culminating project. This form must be completed in order to register your project with The Graduate School.

Style and Formatting Information:
Formatting Powerpoint Presentation

Preliminary Page Template:
Thesis & Doctoral Project Preliminary Pages Template

Approval Pages Information and Templates:
Masters Thesis Approval Pages Instructions and Templates

DPA Approval Page Instructions and Template
DNP Approval Page Instructions and Template
EdD Approval Page Instructions and Template
PsyD Approval Page Instructions and Template

Other:
Masters Thesis Examining Committee Form - Please note, as of Fall 2018, this form is optional and for use by programs that require it.

Effective for Spring 2018, all students will submit their thesis or doctoral culminating project through the online submission process. Please find the applicable guides to assist you in the process.

1) Master's Thesis Submission Guide
2) Doctoral Dissertation and Capstone Project Submission Guide

It is strongly encouraged that each student download the appropriate submission guide above and review prior to submission. When you are ready to submit, please go to the submission page via Digital Commons. Submission Page

If you have any questions or concerns, please email

thesisdoc@wcupa.edu

 

Binding of theses/dissertations is no longer required as of Spring 2018. West Chester University’s library no longer offers binding services.

Due to current limitations, bindery services must be completed directly with the Acme Binding Company. Click on “Thesis & Dissertation Binding” from the list on their web page to make your personal selections and for further instruction. They will ship the completed product to your home address. It is highly suggested to contact Acme Binding first before you begin an order to make sure they are operating normally. WCU related questions can be directed to

Cathleen Dunn

Note, thesis/doctoral culminating projects should not be sent for binding until they have been through the submission process, and you have received a confirmation email that your project has been accepted by the Graduate Dean.

1. What is the process for submitting my master’s thesis or doctoral project?
   Upon successful presentation or defense of your thesis or doctoral project, please complete the following steps:
   • Submit the Approval Page with your committee signatures to the Graduate School (102 W Rosedale Ave, West Chester, PA 19383). Please work with your Committee Chair to have the hard copy approval page delivered to our office via interoffice mail, hand delivered, or regular mail (102 W Rosedale Ave, West Chester, PA 19382). You can also have it sent as a PDF attachment to THESISDOC@WCUPA.EDU. If we receive a submitted master’s thesis or doctoral project prior to receiving the approval page, we will reach out to the committee chairperson and student.
   • Digitally submit your master’s thesis or doctoral project via digitalcommons.wcupa.edu. for a formatting and compliance review. Please review the submission guidelines above.
2. What if I need to make changes to the document?
   • You will be able to upload a revised Microsoft Word or PDF document via the link provided to you from the post-Submission Email. You may also be required to submit a revised Microsoft Word or PDF Document during the formatting and compliance review process. If you discover additional edits that need to be made while your document is under review, please send an email to THESISDOC@WCUPA.EDU.
3. How do I obtain the Graduate Dean’s signature?
   Once your master’s thesis or doctoral project has been approved by your committee, a copy of your approval page with all signatures except for the Graduate Dean is submitted to the Graduate School. Once the Graduate Dean has accepted your thesis, your form will be signed and placed in your student record.
4. What do I include in the document upload into Digital Commons?
   Your electronically submitted Microsoft word document should include the following in single file in the following order:
   • Preliminary Pages (template available here)
     • Title Page
     • Dedication (optional)
     • Acknowledgements
     • Abstract (250 words max)
     • Table of Contents
     • List of Tables (if required)
     • List of Figures (if required)
   • Thesis manuscript and references (as outlined in the Table of Contents)
   • Appendices (if applicable)
5. What document types can I upload?
   • Microsoft Word or PDF
6. I do not see my degree name listed. What do I put?
   • Please contact THESISDOC@WCUPA.EDU and we will get this corrected as quickly as possible.
7. I do not see my program listed. What do I put?
   • Please contact THESISDOC@WCUPA.EDU and we will get this corrected as quickly as possible.
8. How long is the review process?
   • Anticipated review period is 2 weeks after submission.