Thesis Dissertation Guidelines

Students are required to use Microsoft Word unless otherwise approved by the academic department. 

All students enrolled full-time or part-time in a degree granting program at SFSU (i.e., matriculated students) are eligible for a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 Education for Students. Visit Information Technology Service (ITS) for more information. 

As you begin this process, use the recorded instructional video and thesis checklist to prepare your documents and help you as your progress through this process.

Instructional Video

Thesis Checklist 

Use Microsoft Word Accessibility and Adobe Accessibility readers throughout your process to ensure your submission meets all formatting requirements.

Microsoft Word Accessibility

Adobe Accessibility

The Thesis/Dissertation and Creative Work templates include instructions related to making your document accessible in Microsoft Word. For further guidance, consult the relevant Microsoft Office documentation for accessibility. Students using the Latex template provided by their department can consult the Adobe Accessibility guide. 

Ed.D. Dissertation Template

Master's Thesis/Creative Work Template

As you write, make sure to keep Microsoft and Adobe accessibility in mind. Before submitting your document, run the Microsoft Word and Adobe accessibility checkers and clear all errors.

Email your thesis/dissertation/written creative work draft to your graduate program specialist.

• If revisions are required, we will return the thesis by email along with feedback regarding required changes. Once changes are addressed, email the latest draft to your Graduate Program Specialist. 
• When approved, Graduate Studies will notify students by email to proceed with Final Format check instructions. 

• Student must title the Thesis/ Dissertation/ Written Creative Work as: Full Name_ Student ID_Dept_Thesis/Dissert_WCW. 
• Make sure the Certification of Approval page on your Thesis/ Dissertation/ Written Creative Work does not have signatures. 
• Run the Word Accessibility Checker / Adobe Accessibility and make sure that all errors are cleared (including feedback given during the preliminary format check). 
• Email the final Thesis/Dissertation/Written Creative Work draft to your Graduate Program Specialist. 
• If revisions are required, we will return the thesis by email along with feedback regarding required changes. Once changes are addressed, email the latest draft to your Graduate Program Specialist. 
• When approved, your Graduate Program Specialist will notify students by email to proceed with Certification of Approval and Submission instructions. 

You can use our Adobe Sign form to route the Certificate of Approval for your committee to sign. To begin the process, follow these steps: 

1. You will need your committee’s name and email address. SFSU email address preferred. Note: You can use another email address. However, it must be a professional email address not a personal email address. Example of acceptable email address: @ucsd, @calacademy. Personal email addresses (@gmail, @yahoo, @outlook, etc.) are not be acceptable. 
2. For the form, enter the required information (title of your work, your name & program of study) and then submit. 
3. Enter the first name, last name and email for each of your committee members.
4. Enter your email address and submit.
5. You will receive an email from Adobe Sign asking you to confirm your email address.

Your committee members will receive an email requesting their signatures. Once it is complete, you will receive a copy of the form. 

The signed document will need to be uploaded as a separate document during the final submission process. 

Certificate of Approval form

Once the final version of your thesis has been cleared for submission, you will see a new “To Do List” item titled “Submit Scholarly Work.” Click on “Details” to access the link and submit your work. 

You will need to upload your final and accessible Thesis/ Dissertation/ Written Creative Work (Word Document) as well as the signed Certification of Approval. 

Thesis, Dissertation, or Written Creative Work submitted without approval from a Graduate Program Specialist will be rejected.  

Considering an embargo?  

If you would like to delay the publication of your thesis, dissertation or written creative work, make sure to discuss the timeline of release with your committee chair prior to final submission.