Yes, format checks are REQUIRED for all theses and dissertations.

A pdf of your format check document should be sent directly to Melanie Bollnow (mbollno@luc.edu) Graduate school staff will then provide feedback (generally within 2 weeks, by email) and facilitate your submission of the final document. 

The format check can be submitted prior to the defense. In general, 2 to 3 months before the degree conferral is appropriate, and the format check deadline should also be observed. Please note: When scheduling the defense, please allow adequate time to make corrections, gather signatures and compile all parts of the document prior to the final copy deadline.

Students submit final electronic copy to ProQuest using the ETD Administrator system (http://www.etdadmin.com/luc).

The ProQuest ETD Administrator system helps manage the electronic submission of dissertations and theses that Loyola University plans to publish.  Here, you can delay the release of your work by placing an embargo, and also make a decision on copyright of your work.

No, you can submit your dissertation/thesis to the ETD database any time prior to your final format check if you wish.  Only your Loyola University Administrator can submit your dissertation/thesis after final approval.

Additional, useful information on ProQuest can be found HERE.

If you feel you are not going to complete your thesis or dissertation in time for the applied conferral date, you should defer to the next date by applying through LOCUS.  There is no additional fee for deferrals.

The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is an annual census of students who are awarded a research doctorate from an accredited U.S. institution. The survey is being collected under contract by RTI International. Data from the survey are available on the NSF website and in annual reports published online HERE.

If you are submitting a dissertation, you are required to complete this survey as well.  This survey must be completed electronically and a copy of the completion certificate forward to your format check administrator in the Graduate School office. The survey link HERE will also be included in the materials you will receive at the time of your format check.