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Dissertation Requirements & Procedures

Widener University's formatting requirements and procedure for submitting your dissertation to the library for binding and to ProQuest for inclusion in the Digital Dissertations Database

Step One: Submit an electronic copy to ProQuest/UMI

Before you begin, have the following information with you:

  • A PDF copy of your dissertation/thesis. This must be a single file. If your manuscript is in Word or RTF format, ProQuest will convert it into a PDF during the upload
  • Your abstract
  • Optional supplementary files (images, data, etc.) that are an integral part of the dissertation/thesis, but not part of the full text
  • A copy of your signature page for the correct spelling of your advisor's and other committee members' names
  • 1 - 3 Subject categories that best describe your dissertation/thesis' subject area.
  • Widener ID card
  • Credit card

Access Widener's ProQuest/UMI ETD site here: http://www.etdadmin.com/widener

Set up an account and follow the steps for uploading a PDF of your dissertation.

Step Two: Submit Paper Copies to the Library for Binding

Before your dissertation can be processed and bound by the bindery, it MUST conform to the following criteria:

Margins:

  • 1 1/2 inches top and left
  • 1 inch bottom and right

Spacing:

  • Text must be double spaced.
  • References must be double spaced.
  • References must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition and the dissertation guide from your school.

Font:

  • Courier, Times Roman, or similar font
  • 12 point font size

Pagination:

  • Running headers are not permitted.
  • All pages of the dissertation must be counted and assigned a number, including prefatory material, graphs, figures, tables, illustrations, references list, and appendixes.
  • Page numbers are located in the upper right-hand corner of the page 3/4 of an inch from the top of the page.
  • Pages preliminary to the text are paginated with lower case Roman numerals, except the title page, sign-off page, and copyright page. The location is in the middle of the page, 3/4 of an inch from the bottom.
  • How to get a page number on a page with landscape orientation

Page Sequence:

  • Title Page
  • Sign-off Page (This page is obtained from the secretary of the Dean for your School or Division after your defense. It is signed by the committee members. The library does not have this sheet. If you have any questions be sure to check with your advisor.)
  • Copyright Page
  • Dedication Page (Begin with Roman Numeral iv)
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Table of Contents
  • List of Tables
  • List of Figures
  • List of Appendixes
  • Body of Text (Begin Chapter 1 with Page Number 1)
  • References
  • Appendixes

Printing:

  • Printed on laser or letter quality printer. No Ink Jet Printers!
  • Single-sided printing only!

When you bring your dissertation to the library, please make sure you have the following:

  • Required Copies: Education, Human Sexuality, PsyD, Nursing PhD, Nursing DNP, and Social Work requires students to submit 2 copies on white 100% cotton paper, 20 pound weight or better. These two copies are kept permanently by the university and will not be returned to the student. 
  • Personal Copies (Optional): Personal copies may be bound for $30.00 per volume (approximately 250 pages). Payment is made at the Business Office, Lipka Hall. Payments are not accepted at the library. Personal copies may be submitted on any kind of paper and will be bound exactly as submitted by the student. It is the responsibility of the student to comply with the proper format.
  • Receipt from Business Office: You will receive a receipt from the business office, when you pay for the personal copies of you dissertation. Please bring this receipt with you to the library.