Form of the PhD Dissertation

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

The Form of the PhD Dissertation was updated most recently in July 2005 and is available here as a pdf.

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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 boxed paper copy. Both copies must meet the specifications described in Preparation of the 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.

A summary of the physical requirements set by GSAS to which all dissertations in Arts and Sciences must conform is provided in the section "Preparation of the Dissertation." The use of permanent, durable materials in the bound copy is important because it is deposited in the University Archives as the copy of record. These physical requirements are discussed in detail—along with some counsel and cautions, as well as some pointers on the production and reproduction of illustrations, with suggested resources that may prove helpful to authors.

Applications for the PhD degree must be filed at the Registrar’s Office, on a form provided by that office, approximately two months in advance of the month in which the degree is expected (degrees are awarded in November, March, and June). The exact dates by which the degree application is due at the Registrar’s Office can be found in the GSAS Handbook [insert pdf link].

For any questions relating to the physical format of the dissertation not adequately answered in the publication, please contact the Harvard University Archives in the Pusey Library (see the Archives website at http://hul.harvard.edu/huarc, or call (617) 495-2461 or (617) 495-2462).