General Dissertation Information
The dissertation demonstrates a student’s knowledge of a broad field of learning and contains an original contribution to the chosen field of study. It must be creative and independent work that can stand the test of peer review; thus, students will participate in a public seminar to present and defend the dissertation followed by a closed examination by the student’s dissertation committee.
In preparation for the defense, the student must provide a copy of the dissertation to each member of the committee at least four weeks in advance of the desired defense date. Once the committee agrees that the dissertation is ready to be defended, the defense date may be scheduled.
The student will be evaluated on the substance of the written dissertation and the student’s performance on the exam. A majority of the committee must vote that the student’s work is of satisfactory quality to earn a University of California Ph.D. degree. Should the student not pass, they may repeat the defense once no earlier than one month and no later than twelve months from the date of the first defense.
After the committee has approved the finalized manuscript, the student then submits the dissertation online by the end of the semester in which the degree is to be conferred. After submission, dissertation manuscripts automatically become available for public access and circulation as part of UC Merced’s Library Collections.
For any additional information, please refer to the following:
- UC Merced Dissertation guidelines
- Dissertation submission guidelines
- UC Merced Electronic Theses and Dissertations
- Dissertation announcements
As of April 2026, all electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) must conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 to ensure that your ETDs are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including visual disabilities” (from the UCM Grad Div website). This means that you must be compliant with the new regulations beginning this semester.
To assist you with this requirement, Graduate Division has linked two dissertation templates on their website. One is for Microsoft Word and the other for Latex. Please use one of these templates for your dissertation: https://graduatedivision.ucmerced.edu/current-students/dissertationthesis-submission. If you use an older template, it will not conform to the requirements and will be rejected when you submit your dissertation to the university.
Graduation Instructions, Required Paperwork, and Deadlines
Below is the list of instructions we provide our graduating students, and this version currently holds the information for Spring 2026 PhD degree graduates. Questions should be directed to qsb@ucmerced.edu . The instructions below highlight the paperwork and deadlines, but linked here is an in-depth PhD Graduation checklist created by Graduate Division.
You are receiving this email because you have previously indicated you are graduating this Spring 2026. Please schedule your defense date for this Spring semester and provide the date to QSB staff as soon as you can. If these plans have changed, please notify QSB staff as soon as possible.
Here is a list of all of the graduation forms that need to be completed this semester. Dates and deadlines are included, but keep in mind that earlier is always recommended:
- As soon as it's scheduled, reach out to QSB Staff with the date, time, and location of your defense date.
- This is so the QSB Chair & QSB Staff know what term you plan to graduate, and QSB Staff can send out a calendar invite for your defense.
- If you need help booking a room, contact QSB Staff.
- The following item must be completed 2 weeks before your defense date:
- Request a Defense Announcement . QSB Staff will make a flyer and calendar invite based on your submission, and you will need to approve it before we can advertise your defense.
- The following items must be completed by May 1st:
- Complete a Graduation Application for Spring 2026
- OPTIONAL Register for the Spring commencement ceremony
- The following items must be completed by May 8th:
- Confirm your degree requirements are complete on MyDegreePath. If you can’t request an audit or if you see a mistake, please contact QSB Staff ASAP.
- Complete your dissertation defense.
- Complete a Report on Final Examination for the PhD Degree form & send to gradservices@ucmerced.edu – please CC qsb@ucmerced.edu on this submission.
- Submit your dissertation to ProQuest.
- Dissertation submission guidelines can be found here
- Complete the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates – Certificate of Completion
You will need to complete all items relating to your graduation by May 8th to receive a Spring Ph.D. All dates and deadlines can be found here. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we will be happy to assist you.
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