Checklist for Ph.D. Degree

1) Diploma Application

Complete the Diploma Application online.  Save and return your email confirmation/diploma confirmation as a PDF that shows you submitted a diploma application online. This is the graduate registrar's form to create and distribute your diploma. Your submission is incomplete if you do not send proof of completing this form online to the submission's address. 

Please make note of the email address you list as your contact on this online form. The address listed is what the registrar uses to contact you on your diploma status and the address used to invite you to convocation.

2) Candidacy Form & Title Page 

Fill out a final defense form found here. 

After a successful defense, save and return your completed final defense form along with one original title page signed by your committee in PDF format. (It can be one combined PDF or separate). Please send both forms signed. 

• Committee members and the program director must sign page two.
• Both course and research credits must be listed on page three.
• Here is a sample Title Page

STYLE GUIDE FOR DISSERTATION PREPARATION

The guide contains information regarding style, format, margins, footnotes, etc., and should be followed explicitly. The online style guide has some sample pages if you scroll down to the bottom of the page.

• Questions: Contact Allison Gradina at allimera@grad.rutgers.edu
• View the Style Guide online 

3) Survey of Earned Doctorates

Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates online

Save and return the Certificate of Completion as a PDF. This is found at the end of the survey.

4) Ph.D. Exit Survey

Complete the Ph.D. Exit Survey 

Save and return the "Verification Sheet" as a PDF.

5) Degree Candidate Responsibility Statement

Complete the form.  Save it as a PDF and return it along with the rest of your requirements.

6) Publishing Agreement and Dissertation Submission

Complete the Proquest Publishing Agreement form online and upload your dissertation

The uploaded dissertation should include a title page without committee signatures. Please have your committee members sign the form being sent to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu. 

Once completed, click on "Manage this ETD"> "View ETD Details"> "Print your Details Page".  Save and Return your "ETD DETAILS" page as a PDF.

Final electronic submissions will only be reviewed after all the above forms are completed and returned in one email to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu. Your dissertation must be submitted and approved by our office to graduate.

A note on virtual defenses: 

The School of Graduate Studies will permit remote defenses for candidates and their committee members. Any digital signatures of committee members must be verifiable. This includes (but is not limited to) e-signatures such as DocuSign or Adobe sign. Scanned signatures or images of signatures are also acceptable. If you are using Docusign please refer to the Office of Information and Technology's website here for information on how to get started using the service.

In lieu of a verifiable digital signature, a committee member can type their name into the field and then provide a written email/letter attesting their approval as an appendix to this form. We do also accept original pen/ink signatures should that be an option available to your committee.