8. Completion Schedule and Checklist

To assure successful and timely completion of all requirements, you should develop and follow a specific schedule of thesis preparation in collaboration with your thesis supervisor. You must:

• Fill out all required forms with the aid of your thesis supervisor within the first two weeks of the semester.
• Develop a draft review schedule and review process with your supervisor and committee.
• Carefully read these thesis formatting guidelines and follow them carefully throughout the preparation of the final document.
• Attend a thesis formatting workshop sponsored by the Office of Graduate Programs and Research.
• Prepare for the oral defense of your thesis and submit the final document to your committee at least three weeks prior to the scheduled defense date.
• The final date for submission of the thesis in an acceptable form for an oral defense is four weeks before the last day of classes.
• Be currently enrolled in the university in order to defend your thesis.
• After completion of all requirements and after approval of the thesis by the committee members, prepare five sets of signatory pages that show the signatures of all the thesis committee members, the graduate program director, the dean of the appropriate college/school and the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs.
• Submit two hard copies and one PDF format file of the final, approved thesis to be housed in the AUS Archives and in the AUS Library collection. Some graduate programs require that additional bound copies be submitted to the college/school and/or department. All are bound at the student’s expense.

The thesis will receive grades of IP (in progress) until its completion and final approval. (If the thesis is not completed within five years, IP remains the grade of record.) Upon final approval, a permanent grade of P (Pass) will be given and the title of the thesis clearly stated on your transcript. The posting of graduation and awarding of the degree occur after completion and approval of the thesis.

Completion Checklist

• Submit the Thesis Approval form.
• File Intent to Graduate form in the Office of the Registrar.
• Prepare signatory pages and have them signed as described in this document.
• Obtain the Certification for Graduate Degree form from the graduate program director.
• Obtain certification for binding from the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs.
• Submit the required hard copies and the electronic version of thesis to the AUS Archives.
• Pay any outstanding fees.
• At this point, your graduate program director will give your Degree Certification and Thesis Submission Approval forms to the Registrar to authorize your graduation posting.