Your thesis, dissertation or record of study marks the apex of your graduate career, showcasing the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your program. The Graduate and Professional School provides the resources you need to create a final product that meets Texas A&M University’s high scholarly standards.
Do you have a template or any resources to help me with the writing process?
Yes. Our office has several resources which can be found in the editing and formatting portion of our website. In Word, we offer a basic template, a sample manuscript, and a template walkthrough to assist with formatting and making the document accessible. In LaTeX, we provide a basic template to assist with formatting only.
I just defended. When is my manuscript due?
Your manuscript (and all forms in ARCS) is due in Vireo by the end of business on the submission deadline day. You can find specific dates for when the system opens and closes on our Dates and Deadlines page. Please note, some departments have requirements which are more stringent, such as requiring a document be submitted within ten days of defense. We suggest consulting the graduate catalog or your department for exact guidance on this issue.
Where do I submit my completed manuscript?
Manuscripts should be submitted to our Vireo system for review.
I noticed a fee on my account. Is there a fee for reviewing my manuscript?
Yes, all students are charged a fee for the review of their document. This fee is not assessed until the document has been marked “Ready for Review” and placed in our review queue. Students who make Early Clearance should check their account for this fee, since they will not be receiving a bill that semester.
When is the Approval Form due?
A signed Approval Form, including all committee signatures and department head approval, is due by the end of business on the submission deadline day. Please do not wait until the deadline to submit your form, as gathering all required signatures can take time. You can find the specific dates for when the submission system opens and closes on our Dates and Deadlines page.
I have all the signatures on my Approval Form, but the Thesis and Dissertation Office’s signature is missing. Is it incomplete?
Your Approval Form is considered complete for review once it includes:
- All committee member signatures
- The departmental approver’s signature
This signed form must be submitted by the submission deadline for your intended graduation semester.
The TDS signature is not required at the time of submission. Our office will sign the Approval Form only after your manuscript has successfully passed the review process. This final signature serves as approval for graduation.
I selected an embargo on my Copyright and Availability Form, but I have changed my mind. Do I need to submit a new form?
No, you do not need a new form. An embargo option can be changed by emailing a request to thesis@tamu.edu with the new embargo option.
I am defending close to the submission deadline. Can I still graduate this semester?
Defending your thesis or dissertation less than two weeks before the submission deadline does not guarantee graduation in the same semester.
While you may aim to submit all required forms and a complete manuscript by the deadline, please note the submission system closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. on the deadline day.
To improve your chances of graduating on time, plan your defense well in advance of the deadline and ensure your manuscript is fully prepared for submission.
I submitted my manuscript and completed all my forms. How long until I get a review?
The review timeline depends on when your manuscript is submitted:
- Early submissions often receive faster feedback.
- Submissions close to the deadline may take 3–4 weeks for an initial review.
On deadline day, our office receives hundreds of manuscripts, and all are reviewed in the order they are received—no exceptions.
If receiving timely feedback is important to you, we strongly encourage submitting earlier in the semester to allow time for revisions and approval.
I submitted my corrections to Vireo, but I have not heard back from my reviewer. What should I do?
Please allow reviewers 8-10 days (10-14 days during peak submission times) to evaluate your corrections.
What is Early Clearance?
Early Clearance is an option offered to students who meet the requirements to clear for graduation much earlier in the semester. The last day to meet Early Clearance is always the last day to register for classes. Students who meet Early Clearance standards may not be required to register for classes the next term. Please be aware that if you do not meet the Early Clearance deadline you will have to register for classes and clear by the degree audit date. Early clearance may not be a good option for students with visa or assistantship issues that require active registration status.
I’m not going to make the Early Clearance deadline; can I have an extension?
Our office does not grant extensions for the Early Clearance deadline.
Can I walk in to speak with the Thesis and Dissertation Services Office?
To meet with Thesis and Dissertation staff, please schedule an appointment by emailing thesis@tamu.edu.
When will my manuscript be published?
Publication time depends upon the embargo chosen. Documents with no embargo or Document Only holds are published twice a year, in January/February and September/October. In general, these documents or information regarding them will appear in OakTrust within six months of the graduation semester. Document Only embargoes expire automatically 24 months after publication. Documents with Full Record holds are only published after an attempt has been made to contact the student and ask if the document should be released or the hold extended. Like the Document Only hold, a Full Record Hold is for two years.
Where can I find my published manuscript?
Documents are published in OakTrust, the Texas A&M online repository.