Grad College Smart Forms

Application for Dissertation/Thesis Committee

This form is used by graduate students to formally establish their dissertation or thesis committee. For doctoral students, it facilitates the creation of a dissertation committee, while master’s students use it to appoint their thesis committee. It collects essential information such as student details, the dissertation or thesis title, and the names and affiliations of proposed committee members.

In compliance with UTRGV Graduate Catalog policies, the committee must consist of at least three members, with the majority being full-time faculty from the department conferring the degree. Required approvals include signatures from the Committee Chair, Graduate Program Coordinator, Academic College Dean, and Graduate College Dean.

Petition to Change Dissertation/Thesis Committee

This form enables graduate students to request changes to an already approved thesis or dissertation committee. It includes sections to specify the current committee members and the proposed changes, including names, ranks, and departmental affiliations. For external members, a current CV is required. The form must be signed by the Committee Chair, Graduate Program Coordinator, Academic College Dean, and Graduate College Dean to finalize the change.

Certification of Completion of Dissertation or Thesis

This form certifies that a student has completed all final corrections to their thesis or dissertation and that it is ready for publication. It requires information such as the student’s name, ID, degree sought, department, graduation date, and the title of the thesis or dissertation. Signatures from all committee members confirm their approval of the final document.

Dissertation/Thesis Embargo (Delayed Release) Request

This form allows students to request an embargo, or delayed release, of their thesis or dissertation. It requires the student to provide justification for the embargo, select the embargo duration, and obtain signatures from the Committee Chair and the Dean of the Graduate College. This form is commonly used to protect intellectual property or pending publications.

Thesis/Dissertation Final Draft Deadline Extension Form

This form is for students who need to request an extension for submitting their final draft of a thesis or dissertation. It includes fields for student details, the reason for the extension request, and the proposed new deadline. Approval from the Committee Chair and the Graduate Program Coordinator is mandatory before submission to the Graduate College for final consideration.