College of Graduate Studies

ETD Process Overview (Electronic Thesis / Dissertation)

Step 1 - Format Review

  • Submit your document as a PDF to etdsvcs@utoledo.edu for a format review by the posted deadline. The subject line should be formatted as: Last Name, First Name; Format Review. Please send from your UTAD email.
    • A format review is strongly encouraged to prevent delays in graduation which could result in required re-application for a future term.
    • You will receive e-mail notification, sent to your UTAD account, once your document has been reviewed. The e-mail will provide directions for correcting the document (if required) or will confirm your document is in compliance with the formatting guidelines. The email will also contain instructions and links for submitting to OhioLINK.

Step 2 - Schedule  final Defense

  • Following your departmental protocol, schedule your defense. Strive to schedule it as early in the semester as possible so that you have time to make any requested changes before the final submission deadline. No extensions are given on the submission deadline and no changes are able to be made to the content after it has been submitted.
  • Complete the Defense Acceptance & Intellectual Protection form and submit to the College of Graduate Studies as soon as you have your defense scheduled and room reserved. You are strongly encouraged to fill out and sign the forms electronically and send via email to etdsvcs@utoledo.edu.
  • Bring your Approval of Thesis or Approval of Dissertation form with you to your defense. It is a fillable PDF, so please type in the fields and then obtain all required signatures, except for the COGS' dean, which we will obtain. Electronic signatures are accepted and the form can be emailed to GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu. Illegible and incomplete forms will be returned.

Step 3 – ETD Upload and Required Forms Submission

  • Complete the OhioLINK ETD Center submission process and upload final document (successfully defended in PDF file format with fonts embedded) and any supplementary files to OhioLINK by the posted deadline for the semester in which you are graduating. Your file will be transferred to ProQuest from OhioLINK electronically, and you must select that option during the submission process.
    • Reviewing the Instructions for the OhioLINK process is strongly recommended.
    • The College of Graduate Studies will be notified immediately when your document has been uploaded to OhioLINK.
    • If there are any problems with your document, you will be notified via your UTAD email and will be given five business days from the date the notification is sent to make necessary changes and upload your corrected document to OhioLINK. If the corrected document is not submitted to OhioLINK within the five business days or any of the required forms/processes are not completed, students may be required to re-apply for graduation for the next term.
    • The final release of all theses and dissertations occurs after all degrees have been posted for the term, beginning approximately 30-45 days after the last day of the term.
    • If you requested and were granted a publication delay, that embargo will be in place for one year. You must reapply with the College of Graduate Studies for renewal 30 days before the expiration date by submitting a new Intellectual Protection form.
  • Submit Approval of Thesis or Approval of Dissertation form with all required signatures to the College of Graduate Studies by the posted deadline.
Please remember...
  • Deadlines apply to all students submitting a thesis or dissertation and are strictly enforced.
  • Check with your advisor to ensure that all department and college requirements and deadlines are met in a timely manner to ensure coordination and compliance with Graduate College deadlines.
  • If you have questions about formatting, forms, or the submission process, please contact Thesis and Dissertation Services       419.383.4113 or email: etdsvcs@utoledo.edu
  • If you have questions about graduation or other academic forms, please contact Graduation Services

Questions About your Application?

Visit Stranahan Hall, Room 1048
Mailing address
The University of Toledo
College of Graduate Studies
2801 W. Bancroft, MS 933
Toledo, OH 43606

Questions About Your Degree Progress?

Visit University Hall, Room 3240
Last Updated: 10/12/22