Dissertation Submission Steps

Acquire an editor no later than September 15th (optional).
Complete the online Format Guidelines Check form before submitting your dissertation.
December 15th: Submit one copy of your completed dissertation to your advisor. Send a PDF to support@wts.edu, so Academic Affairs can log your completion. Your advisor will review and approve the dissertation for final submission.
January 30th: Submit three hard copies bound in three-ring binders and printed on one side only. Also submit a PDF copy to support@wts.edu.

Send to:
Academic Affairs (1st floor, Machen Hall)
Westminster Theological Seminary
2960 Church Road
Glenside, PA, 19038
Pay the dissertation fee (due upon submission, January 30th).
Academic Affairs will distribute your dissertation to the following reviewers: (a) the format review team (Professors Sandy Finlayson and Leslie Altena), (b) your second reader (WTS faculty member in your field), and (c) your external reader.
Review feedback from reviewers and edit your dissertation in preparation for your oral defense.
Complete oral defense.
Submit final hard copies to Academic Affairs by May 1st.
- One copy on 20 lb, 100% cotton, 8 1/2" white paper
- One copy on regular printer paper
- No hole punches on either copy
Upload your final PDF and sign the plagiarism pledge with Proquest for online publishing no later than May 1st.
Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED).

Note: When submission deadlines fall on a weekend, the deadline will be moved to the following Monday.

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