Graduate School ETD Guidelines
Degree Requirements
Students submitting theses and dissertations, and similar works (e.g., master's papers and reports), must do so electronically. The ETD requirement is not considered satisfied until it has been approved by the Graduate School.
See also Graduation Requirements and ETD Submission Process.
ETD Styles
1. Standard Format
Most theses and dissertations have followed the same format for decades and is the one your committee members used and the one with which they are the most familiar. See also the Standard Formatting Guidelines Table and the Graduate School's ETD Formatting Guidelines.
2. Manuscript Format
In addition to the standard or traditional format for dissertations and theses, the Virginia Tech Graduate School accepts an alternative, manuscript, format. The Manuscript ETD Format allows the incorporation of your articles, book chapters, and the like to replace some of the standard chapters. Prior publication of the manuscript(s) is not a requirement for using this format.
The following guidelines apply:
- At least one manuscript (i.e., article, chapter) for the Master’s degree, or at least two manuscripts for Doctoral degree. The manuscript(s) should be based on research done at Virginia Tech. The manuscript(s) can be previously published, to be published, or in preparation for submission.
- The graduate student is the major contributor and writer of the manuscript(s), as usually represented by sole author. In the case of multiple authorship, the contribution of each author is detailed in the Introduction or separate Attribution section.
- The graduate student provides the Graduate School with a letter of copyright release for previously published and/or copyrighted material.
- Whether previously published or to be reviewed, the manuscript is formatted to fit within the margins acceptable by the Graduate School and satisfies all requirements for ETD submission. See also the Manuscript Formatting Guidelines Table and the Graduate School's ETD Formatting Guidelines.