Theses & Dissertations
Hampton University requires a thesis from master’s candidates pursuing the Plan A option and a dissertation from all candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The requirements for format and quality are the same for theses and dissertations, despite their individual differences. The Graduate College has the responsibility to ensure the quality and proper formatting for publication of all theses and dissertations written by our students. The Thesis Manual is available online and is designed to provide assistance in the preparation of a thesis or dissertation relative to the requirements of the Graduate College.
Thesis/Dissertation Submission Schedule
| Deadline/Semester | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Deadline to conduct an oral defense (Submit a Request to Conduct the Oral Defense form) |
Second Friday in November | First Friday in April | Second Friday in July |
The deadline to submit the thesis/dissertation(5 copies in final form) is 5pm at the Graduate College (Wigwam 203); 7 days after the successful completion of an oral defense.
You must be enrolled to submit a thesis or dissertation
Steps to Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation
1. Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee
- The Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee form should be filed by the student prior to becoming a candidate for the degree (candidacy). Each member of the committee must sign the form. Once the Graduate College approves the advisory committee, notice will be sent by mail to the committee members and Program Coordinator.
- The Graduate College keeps a copy of the vitas of approved committee members on file. The student should request a current vita from new faculty members or faculty members outside of Hampton University who serve on a advisory committee to be submitted with the Request for the Appointment of the Advisory Committee form.
- If any changes to the committee are made after the form is submitted to the Graduate College. The student must submit a new form complete with the signatures of all the committee members.
- The Thesis Manual provides further guidance regarding the role and appointment of the advisory committee.
Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.
2. Apply for Admission to Candidacy and Graduation.
- At least six months (but no more than a year) prior to your expected graduation date, complete and submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree Completion form. This form serves as an application for candidacy, and as an application for graduation. Only students who: have met all admission requirements, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, have passed the Qualifying Examination (doctoral candidates only), and do not have any incomplete course work (with the exception of research courses) are eligible to apply. Note: Other departmental requirements may affect eligibility for candidacy.
- If you do not graduate during the expected term, complete and submit the Graduation Update form according to published deadlines. You must have a current graduation application on file and be enrolled in order to graduate.
Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.
3. Successfully complete an oral presentation and defense.
- Your Request to Conduct the Oral Thesis/Dissertation Defense must be approved by the Graduate College. The form should be submitted at least one week before the scheduled date of the defense.
- Numerous drafts should have been reviewed by the committee resulting in a final manuscript before the defense. The student has seven days to submit the final copies of the manuscript to Graduate College after a successful defense- allowing time for minor changes to be made to the manuscript before the deadline.
- The Graduate College Counselor will attend the defense in preparation to review the final manuscript.
- The Thesis Manual provides further guidance regarding the oral thesis/dissertation defense.
Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.
4.Submit five copies of the final manuscript to the Graduate College for review.
- Five copies of the manuscript in final form must be submitted to the Graduate College by 5:00pm seven days after a successful defense (i.e. if you defend on the Tuesday, your final copies are due to the Graduate college the following Tuesday).
- The Graduate College reserves the right to reject a manuscript that is submitted after the deadline- this is likely to delay the student’s graduation date and will require an update of the thesis/dissertation.
- Refer to the Thesis Manual for detailed information regarding the submission of your thesis/dissertation.
- If corrections are required by Graduate College, students should note that the thesis/dissertation will only be accepted once for re-submission.
Refer to the Important Dates for Graduate Students for this and other deadlines.
5. Publish your manuscript or abstract.
- Currently, you are not required to publish your thesis/dissertation; however it is strongly encouraged by the Graduate College. Please talk with your committee chair or Program Coordinator regarding issues related to publishing your manuscript. The Graduate College and your Program Coordinator have publishing agreements available for the one of the oldest and most established publishing companies, University Microfilms (UMI) also known as ProQuest. These forms and more information can also be found on the UMI website.
6. Update your address with the Graduate College.
- Copies of approved manuscripts will be sent for binding in December, and then distributed to students, departments, and the library in March. The student’s bound copy will be sent the address indicated at submission (see Thesis Manual)- Please inform the Graduate College of any address changes between the time of submission and distribution of your manuscript.