School of
Graduate Studies

Theses and Dissertations

We provide workshops for students on the thesis/dissertation (T/D) format review, certification, and submission approval process, UMKC formatting guidelines, and deadlines.

T/D Format Review, Certification, and Submission Approval Process

All graduate students are required to submit electronic Microsoft Word copies of their T/D to the School of Graduate Studies for format review by the posted deadlines shown below. The following forms should be submitted to the SGS with the T/D:

After the review and certification process is complete, which includes the SGS receiving completed T/D report of results/final evaluation forms from supervisory committee chairs, then students will be given instructions on how to upload their T/D as a PDF to UMKC’s Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Administrator ProQuest. After submission to ProQuest, full-text versions will be available through MOspace, the digital institutional repository of the University of Missouri System.

UMKC Formatting Guidelines

The “University of Missouri-Kansas City Guide to Formatting Theses and Dissertations” is the main document resource for formatting guidance. The formatting guide was revised in January 2025.

UMKC Formatting Resources

 

Formatting Guidance Workshops

Formatting guidance workshops are typically held each Fall and Spring semester for students who are ready to start, or are already, working on their T/D. Attendance at a workshop is highly encouraged.

  • Workshop: Tues., February 11, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Atterbury Student Success Center 237 & via Zoom
  • Workshop (Repeated): Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Atterbury Student Success Center 237 & via Zoom
  • A recording from February 8, 2025, of a presentation of the workshop material

 

The listed deadlines below for theses/dissertations are also downloadable as a PDF.

Thesis/Dissertation Deadlines1
Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026
Registrar's deadline to submit application for graduation Monday, March 31, 2025 Monday, June 30, 2025 Friday, October 31, 2025 Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Deadline to submit T/D to SGS for initial format review2 Monday, March 31, 2025 Monday, June 30, 2025 Monday, October 27, 2025 Monday, March 30, 2026
Deadline for completing T/D defense Friday, May 16, 2025 Friday, July 25, 2025 Friday, December 19, 2025 Friday, May 15, 2026
Deadline to submit final T/D to SGS for final format review3 & committee chair submit T/D paperwork to SGS Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Tuesday, December 23, 20254 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Deadline to upload T/D to ProQuest Friday, May 30, 2025 Friday, August 1, 2025 Friday, January 2, 20264 Friday, May 29, 2026

1All SGS T/D deadlines are by 5:00pm Central Time.

2Preference for students to submit initial T/D Word file 3 weeks before defense or the date listed in the table - whichever comes first.

3Preference for students to submit final T/D Word file within 3 weeks after defense or the date listed in the table - whichever comes first.

4UMKC is closed for Winter Break December 25, 2025 - January 1, 2026.