Questions about Thesis Submission

Where can I find information about submission of a DDes doctoral dissertation?

If you are a doctoral student, please visit the DDes Guidelines for the Dissertation. It includes details on the Form of the DDes Dissertation. You will submit your dissertation using the ProQuest ETD submission tool.

 
Where do I submit my thesis?

To submit your master's thesis or doctoral dissertation please go to the ProQuest ETD submission tool, where you will see the GSD logo in the top right section. Once there, you will see the Welcome to the ETD Administrator @ Harvard Graduate School of Design banner, where you can start the process of submitting your thesis when you log in as a student (using your GSD email address and HarvardKey credentials). The My ETDs tab will guide you through the submission (you will basically go through the left navigation menu step by step).

Please read the instructions included in the Instructions page. It includes information about a cover sheet (for master theses) and/or dissertation acceptance certificate (for doctoral dissertations) that you will need to include with your PDF. The academic department administrators and/or coordinators provide guidelines for those.

 
Are there requirements for the title page of my thesis? 
Am I free to alter the aesthetics of the title page as long as all of the needed information is included?

Masters theses have a cover sheet with information on author, title, program, academic department, statement and signatures. The academic department coordinators can give you a template. As long as all the information in that template is included in your cover sheet you can design the cover sheet with the typeface and colors that you want to match your thesis book design.

 
Is there a submission fee?

There is no submission fee, unless you request that ProQuest register it with the US Copyright Office (see Copyright and Publication Considerations below) or you request a printed and bound copy from ProQuest.

 
How should I submit a thesis with joint authorship?

In cases of multiple authors, each author would want to submit individually. Each submission is published with its own metadata and publication number, and are not flagged as duplicates. Multiple authors on a single submission are not supported.

 
What do I need to prepare to submit my thesis?
  1. PDF copy of your dissertation/thesis. This must be a single file. If your manuscript is in Word or RTF format, you must convert it into a PDF.
  2. Abstract
  3. Optional Supplementary files (images, data, etc.) that are an integral part of the dissertation/thesis, but not part of the full text.
  4. Advisor and other Committee Members' Names
  5. Subject Categories: 1-3 that best describe your dissertation/thesis' subject area [PDF]. These categories are fixed subject categories.
  6. Keywords: You will have the option to add additional tags that you think would enhance discovery and access to your thesis.

 
How long will it take to submit my thesis?

You can start your submission, save, and come back later to finish. When finished, remember to hit the Submit button.

 
Is there a limit on quantity and size of supplemental files?

While there is no limit to the quantity of files received by ProQuest for an individual submission, there is an 8GB single file size limit. If you have a single files that is for example 20GB, you need to break that up into files that are 8GB or less (such as 7GB+7GB+4GB). Any file larger than 8GB would not make it to the ProQuest platform, so they have to be broken up into files that are 8GB or less.

 
Can I submit any file format as supplemental files?

ProQuest accepts any file format including .mp4 files being submitted as supplemental files. Supplemental files are posted to the database and users would view them using the appropriate program for that file type from their computer. For print copies, all supplemental files are copied to disc and inserted in a back pocket. If ProQuest editors find a problem they will contact you. 

 
Can I put an embargo on my thesis?

Yes, you have the option of putting an embargo (delaying the access to your full theses). Reasons for an embargo range from patents pending to personal reasons. 

 
Can I get a print copy of my thesis? 
Can anyone get a print copy of my thesis?

If in the future you need a print copy of your thesis you can obtain one from ProQuest for a fee.

 
Where can I find information about the formatting of my thesis?

Additional information related to the formatting and submission of your thesis may be included in this ProQuest PDF document.  

 
Still have questions about the submission process?

Ask your academic department administrator/coordinator who will be in touch with the library as needed.