Dissertation Checklist
graduate school of arts and sciences
All elements on the following checklist must be completed by the deadline for dissertation submission printed on the University's Academic Calendar.
- Submit your Dissertation online
- Signature Page (Submit two original hard copies to Grad A&S)
- Information Form
- Survey of Earned Doctorates
- Verify Diploma Name/Information
The elements of your dissertation should be in the following order:
View sample pages and instructions.
Submitting your Dissertation
Submit your Dissertation Electronically via eTD@BC
Signature Page
Use this template. Type in the names of your advisor and readers as designated under the signature line; and print out two copies of this form. Both pages will be signed on the first line by the dissertation advisor and then by the designated readers, two readers (in addition to the advisor) are required for the doctoral dissertation. Both copies must be original, not photocopies. Do NOT include a copy of the signature page in the electronic-submission copy of your dissertation; bring the signature pages to the dean's office.
Traditional Title Page
The title page must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. The dissertation title should be concise and meaningful. Sample Title Page
Copyright Page
Regardless of which option you select with UMI, this page is required and must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. Sample Copyright Page
Abstract
The abstract must include the title of your dissertation, your name, and that of your dissertation advisor as the heading. The abstract must be double-spaced in the same type font as the dissertation text.
Dissertation Form and Style
The signature page, traditional title page, copyright page and the abstract must not be numbered.
The Graduate School does not require use of one particular style manual; however, make sure that you consistently follow one method of reference and bibliographic notation throughout your dissertation.
The typing of all textual material must be letter-quality, clear, dark black, and double-spaced on one side of the page; notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be single-spaced. The font size must be minimum (10) point. While the font size and style should be consistent throughout your text, the notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be in a size smaller than your text, but must still be at least (10) point. The use of correction fluids and tapes is not acceptable.
Margins and Page Numbers
Page numbers must be (1) inch from paper edge on top or bottom of page. Left margin and margin with page numbers must be (1.5) inches. Right margin and remaining top or bottom margin (whichever does not contain page numbers) must be (1) inch. These margins must be strictly maintained throughout your work.
Pagination
The signature page, traditional title page, copyright page and abstract cannot be numbered and should be submitted in this order. Table of contents, acknowledgments, lists of tables, etc. are considered the introductory material of the manuscript (optional); therefore, the pages should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, etc.). Every page of the dissertation body, after the introductory material, must be sequentially numbered.
Charts, Graphs, Tables
Illustrative material should be produced in black ink. Colors should not be used for shading or in graphs, but should be replaced with labels or cross-hatching. Photographs should be high-contrast black and white, and affixed with dry-mounting tissue or high-quality glue. Oversized material may be used if carefully folded to (8.5 x 11) inches.
If you have any questions about the format of your dissertation, contact the Dean's Office, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Gasson 108, at 617-552-3268. Dissertations not conforming to the minimum standards described here in may be returned to the candidate, and the awarding of the degree delayed.