2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

(Numbered XXX-796/XXX-799/XXX-899)

The thesis and dissertation provide graduate students the opportunity to apply their course work and independent investigation skills to increase knowledge. Successful completion of a thesis or dissertation demonstrates a student’s ability to manage a project, and to define, research, and solve problems. Graduate Special students are not eligible for thesis and dissertation credits.

Committee Selection:

Students complete a thesis or dissertation under the supervision of a major professor and committee. Students select their research committee, which includes a Major Advisor (UW-Green Bay faculty member from their degree program) and two additional faculty members with appropriate degrees or expertise who guide, advise, and approve the thesis or dissertation defense and manuscript. All members of the committee must have graduate faculty status to participate. After selecting their committee members, the student submits a proposal and GR-2: Approval for Candidacy for a Graduate Degree Program form. Guidelines for how to prepare a proposal can be found on the Graduate Studies website. 

Defending a Thesis or Dissertation:

When students are ready to defend their thesis or dissertation, they should work with their program to follow any specific procedures that may exist. Defenses should be open to the public. Students may choose between in-person, virtual, or hybrid models for presentation. Members of the committee preside over the defense and notify the student in a private meeting following the presentation whether the defense was successful. After the defense, students will initiate a GR-4: Approval of Presentation form, which is signed by all members of the committee.

Manuscript Preparation and Archiving:

Successful completion of a defense does not equivalate to degree completion. Students are also required to submit a copy of their final, approved manuscript to the Office of Graduate Studies for archiving in Cofrin Library and ProQuest. The evaluation process begins with substantive revisions requested by committee members and ends with format and style revisions requested by the Office of Graduate Studies. A thesis or dissertation must follow the format and style standards established by the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay as outlined in a format policy and style manual and checklist on the Graduate Studies website. Both substantive and formatting revisions must be completed by the student before their degree will be conferred.

Deadlines:

Current deadlines are posted on the Office of Graduate Studies's website.