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Guide for Writers of Theses & Dissertations

Library Submission – Steps for Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation to the Library

All Boston University theses and dissertations are submitted to the library electronically. Submitting your thesis or dissertation to Boston University Libraries is the last step to fulfill at the University before you graduate and are awarded your degree.

  1. Prepare the manuscript: the Guide for Writers of Theses & Dissertations [PDF] covers formatting and submission requirements in detail.
  2. Review the draft for library submission. Contact:
  3. Submit electronically: when you are ready:
    1. Submit your Dissertation/Thesis here – http://www.etdadmin.com/bu
      • Consult the ETD Administrator Walk-Through for help.
    2. Separately, submit your Dissertation/Thesis processing fee online (requires BU Login).

Tools to Assist You in Preparing and Submitting Your Thesis/Dissertation

  • Thesis prep videos: We have several thesis and dissertation prep videos that cover the ETD administrator process and formatting the document.
  • Microsoft Word template: You are welcome to use this Microsoft Word Dissertations template or Thesis template prepared by the library at your own risk. Contact us with questions about templates.
  • LaTeX: The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department has a LaTeX template that conforms with proper formatting for library submission that you are welcome to use.  Thanks to Professor Janusz Konrad for his help providing this template.
  • Sample formats: A set of samples illustrates proper submission formats.
  • Open access: Boston University’s policy is that scholarship, including BU theses and dissertations, should be made openly accessible as soon as possible so that the benefits of research can be widely shared. This FAQ discusses factors to think about for those of you considering an embargo.

Adobe Reader

The PDF format (Adobe Portable Document Format) requires use of Adobe Reader software. If you do not have this installed, it may be downloaded at no charge.

Resources

Please visit the Research Guide:  Theses & Dissertations – Resources for Locating for information on databases that can be used to identify theses and dissertations written in North America and elsewhere.

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