Form of the PhD Dissertation

Form of the PhD Dissertation

Form of the PhD Dissertation is a supplement to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook and gives detailed information on preparing the dissertation.

The Form of the PhD Dissertation was updated most recently on April 30, 2012.

Important new resource: Learn about common dissertation formatting errors — and how to avoid them.

Introduction

The Form of the PhD Dissertation publication is intended to assist students in preparing the PhD dissertations.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) requires both one bound paper copy and one digital copy, submitted electronically through ProQuest, at an online submission site located here: www.etdadmin.com/gsas.harvard. Both copies must meet the specifications described in Preparation of the Dissertation, a section of the Form of the PhD Dissertation. A dissertation that does not conform to the minimum standards set by GSAS may have to be reformatted and resubmitted. In that event, the degree cannot be awarded until a dissertation in satisfactory form is completed and deposited with the Registrar.

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Degree applications can be completed using the online submission tool found at http://gsasdegreeapp.fas.harvard.edu. Degrees are awarded in November, March, and May. The exact dates by which the degree application is due at the Registrar's Office via the online submission tool can be found in the GSAS Handbook.