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Dissertation Submission Requirements & Procedures

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

Students completing their dissertation and graduating from doctoral programs are required to submit the dissertation
online to ProQuest ETD. 

NO print copy is required nor will the Library
bind personal copies.

Submit Your Dissertation to ProQuest ETD

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.

Creating An Account

Begin at Widener's ProQuest ETD Platform: http://www.etdadmin.com/widener

1. Click on Log in in the upper right corner
2. Select Create new student account
4. Fill out the Form
5. Click on Create Account

 

ProQuest ETD Administrator student account

ProQuest Publishing Options & University Agreement

  1. Select Traditional or Open Access Publishing. Note: The publishing option is your choice, but the Open Access option does include an additional $95 fee.
  2. Choose if you want your work to be available in ProQuest as soon as it is published.
    1. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to publish a manuscript, have a patent pending, or include other confidential material in your dissertation, select No to delay publication to ProQuest. You will be able to select the time period. 
  3. Click on Save & Continue

Publishing types and access options


  1. On the next page, read the Publishing Agreement
  2. Click on Accept


  1. On the next page, read the University Agreement
  2. Check the box that you have read and agree to the University Agreement
  3. Click on Save & Continue

Contact Information

  1. Fill in your Contact Information
  2. Click on Continue

Dissertation/Thesis Details

  1. Enter the details about your dissertation/thesis. Note the following:
    • Primary Subject Category: The provided list is not extensive, choose what fits the best. 
    • Keywords: Choose Keywords that are NOT in your title or Subject Category.
  2. Click on Save & Continue

Dissertation details page

Upload PDF

  1. Upload the PDF of your dissertation/Thesis
    • ProQuest provides helpful tips for created a PDF. You can also contact ITS or Kayla Van Osten for help. 
  2. Upload any Copyright permissions you may have
    • If you are using copyrighted material in your dissertation/thesis, you need to get permission from the copyright holder to use the material in your dissertation/thesis. This could be an email, a formal letter, or something else. Upload what you have. Here is more information of obtaining permission. 
  3. Click Save & Continue.

Upload the PDF of your dissertation and any Copyright documents

Supplemental Files & Notes

  1. If supplementary materials - like audio, video and spreadsheets - are part of your dissertation or thesis, you can submit them as supplemental files. If you do not have supplemental files, just click on Save & Continue.
  2. There is a 2 GB size limit fo individual files. Contact ProQuest Support if you have files above this limit. 
  3. Click on Save & Continue

Upload any supplemental files

Register US Copyright

Copyright protects your intellectual property from theft. ProQuest will file for Copyright on your behalf, if you choose so.

  1. We encourage you to select Yes, file for a new copyright.
    • Note: There is a $75 fee.
  2. Click on Save & Continue

File for Copyright

Order Copies

ProQuest gives you the opportunity to purchase bound copies of your dissertation/thesis. This is entirely optional. 

If you want to purchase copies:

  1. Specify the type (hardcover or softcover), size, and number of copies of each format you want
  2. Click on Continue with Order

If you DO NOT want to purchase Copies:

  1. Click on Decline pre-order

Ordering print copies of dissertation

Pay for Your Order: Review Your Submission

  1. Review the details of your submission and make changes if necessary.
  2. Click on Submit

Pay for Your Order: Review Order Summary

  1. Review your order details and make any necessary changes
  2. Click on Confirm Billing Address

Pay for Your Order: Confirm Billing Information

  1. Enter your billing information into the form
  2. Click on Enter Credit Card
  3. You will have the option to print a receipt.  An electronic copy of your order will be emailed to you.


  1. Enter your credit card information
  2. Click on Pay

 

Congratulations!

You did it!  You have successfully submitted your dissertation to the ProQuest/UMI ETD site.  You will be notified by email when the secondary administrator in your department has accepted your submission, when the primary administrator has delivered your submission to ProQuest/UMI , and when your dissertation has been included in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database (this can take 8‐12 weeks).

If you have any questions at all, please contact Kayla Van Osten in the library at 610‐499‐4591 or kmvanosten@widener.edu.