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Dissertation and Clinical Scholarly Project Submission Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Page Contents

Procedural Questions

  1. Should I submit my CSP/dissertation as a Word doc or a PDF?
    Please submit your clinical scholarly project (CSP) or dissertation in PDF format. Occasionally, Word documents may display differently on different computers, so a PDF ensures that the student and the library are both seeing the same thing. For instructions on how to convert a Word document to PDF format, see this page. 
  2. How long will the process take once I submit my CSP/dissertation?
    Typically we will review your submission within 2-4 business days. If your submission matches all of the formatting requirements on the checklist, we will give you approval to move on to the next steps. The process may take longer if we request revisions because the submission does not match the checklist.
  3. What is the library's deadline for me to submit my CSP/dissertation?
    The library does not set any deadlines and accepts dissertation and CSP submissions all year. However, individual departments may set their own deadlines. We recommend submitting to the library a week or two before any deadlines your department sets, in case changes need to be made to your submission to conform to the checklist.
  4. Why do I have to make changes to my CSP/dissertation after my chair/Dean has approved it? 
    The library checklist provides a list of the formatting guidelines that need to be met before your CSP/dissertation can be uploaded to ProQuest and/or Digital Commons. While the chair/dean approved the content and overall format, there may still be some formatting errors present in your manuscript that needs to be corrected before it can be published.  
  5. Will my chair/Dean need to resign the library checklist or signature page if I make corrections? 
    Generally, you chair/Dean will not need to resign the library checklist or signature page if changes need to be made to your manuscript. However, if you are missing a signature on the library checklist or on the signature page in your manuscript, you will be asked to obtain the signatures before the library will review your manuscript. 
  6. When will my degree be conferred?
    The library does not confer degrees and cannot answer this question for you. We recommend checking with your committee chair or department.

Formatting Questions

  1. How do I insert different page numbers for each section?

Use section breaks to divide your document to accommodate the varying page number requirements.

  • The title and approval page will be one section, without page numbers.
  • The rest of the front matter, starting with the copyright page, will be another section, with Roman numerals (example: i, ii, iii, iv).
  • The body of the CSP/dissertation, including the reference list, will be a third section, with Arabic numerals (example: 1, 2, 3, 4).

To insert a section break:

  1. In the ribbon bar, go to the Page Layout tab,
  2. Select Breaks
  3. select Next page from the drop-down to allow for different pagination on the following page
  4. You can also select Continuous to allow for different pagination starting with the current page.

Note that within each section you can specify Different first page. You can also set the page numbering to start at a specific number (like "iii").
You may need to repeat this once you get the portion of your document that requires regular numbering.

Make sure Link to Previous is NOT selected for each new section.

This guide on Microsoft's website is helpful as well. There are also numerous YouTube tutorials available.

  1. Can the library fix ______ for me?
    Due to the high volumes of submissions we receive, and the variety of hardware and software options in use, the library cannot manually edit CSPs and dissertations for students. However, we have tried to provide solutions to common questions in this FAQ. The Internet can also provide many solutions to software issues; searching for your software plus the issue can often yield results to fix most problems (e.g. "Microsoft Word 2013 page number height"). If you still need assistance, we recommend contacting the Online Writing Center or reaching out to a professional editor.
  2. How can I insert my signed approval page into my CSP/dissertation?
    1. If you are formatting your CSP/dissertation as a PDF, use Adobe Acrobat to insert your approval page.  Click Pages in the right sidebar, then Insert from File.
    2. If you are using Word, insert the approval page as an Object or an Image.  Click Insert at the top, and then either Pictures in the Illustrations menu or Object in the Text menu. This may not work if you have unverified digital signatures on your approval page.
    3. If your approval page has been digitally signed and the signatures "disappear" when you try to import them into a new version of your CSP or dissertation, we recommend printing out the signed approval page, scanning it back into your computer as an image or a PDF, and then inserting it that way.
    4. You can also use a website such as I Love PDF to merge and organize separate PDF files. Follow the instructions provided in the How to Add a Signature Page to a PDF handout. 
    5. What are the formatting issues that most often need correcting? 
      Here are the most common issues that need correcting. Click on the images to view a larger version. 
      Issue Solution
      Page number height

      In Microsoft Word:

      1. Make sure that the top and bottom margins are set to 1 inch. 
      2. Under the Header & Footer menu, make sure that the Footer from Bottom is set to 0.5 inch
        Footer settings
      3. The page number should then be centered, at the correct height, and the font and font size should match the rest of the manuscript. 
        Correct footer height and formatting
      Reference page citations

      Visit the Citing Sources guide to review how to cite common sources such as scholarly articles and book chapters.

      You may also consult the Purdue Online Writing Lab for an exhaustive guide to APA formatting and citations. 
      Tables and figures listed incorrectly in the Table of Contents

      Verify that you are using the appropriate headings, tables, and figures throughout your paper. 

      Use the built-in features in Microsoft Word to automatically generate the Table of Contents. Follow the instructions on the Microsoft World help site to automatically update the TOC. 

Review your program's checklist for the correct formatting. Making these changes before you submit your manuscript will help speed up the library approval process.

ProQuest Questions

  1. Should I choose Traditional or Open Access Publishing in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global?
    It is entirely up to you.  Traditional Publishing is the default mode in ProQuest, and means that only users with a subscription to the database will be able to access your dissertation.  Open access publishing is an option whereby the author (i.e. you) pay an additional fee in order to make your dissertation freely available for users around the world to download and read. However, because EDD students are required to submit to University of Massachusetts Global Digital Commons, their dissertations will already be available on an open access basis for free.  
  2. Does "Traditional Publishing" in ProQuest count as prior publication if I am looking to publish my CSP or dissertation with a traditional publisher in the future?
    Many publishers will not count depositing your CSP or dissertation in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global as prior publication, just as they do not consider posting an open access version in UMass Global Digital Commons as prior publication. Please note that with the Traditional Publishing option in ProQuest, access to your dissertation will be more restricted than it would with the Open Access option
  3. Should I pay to let ProQuest file my copyright?
    This is entirely up to you. As the author of your CSP or dissertation, you already own the copyright to your work from the moment you put it in writing, and are legally entitled to seek recompense from anyone who violates it. This is your right even without registering with the Copyright Office or anything else. Registering your copyright, then, provides an extra layer of security and proof if you ever need to defend your copyright in court.
  4. How long will it take my CSP or dissertation to show up in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global?
    It usually takes 6-8 weeks from the time of submission for a CSP or dissertation to show up in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database.
  5. I ordered print copies. When will I receive them?
    You will need to contact ProQuest customer support to get information on the status of print copies. The UMass Global Library approve dissertation and CSP submissions in ProQuest, but are not involved in the production of print copies.
  6. Does ProQuest pay author royalties?
    Yes, ProQuest pays royalties to authors based on copy sales and usage of dissertations. You can read more details about how ProQuest pays royalties by visiting the ProQuest FAQ. 

Questions about Print Copies

  1. I want a print copy of my CSP or dissertation. How do I get one?
    You can order print copies when you submit to ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. There will be several options for size and binding. Kater-Crafts Bookbinders is another service that will bind copies for the general public. You can also use a search engine to find a bindery near you.
  2. I ordered print copies from ProQuest. When will I receive them?
    You will need to contact ProQuest customer support to get information on the status of print copies. UMass Global Library approve dissertation and CSP submissions in ProQuest, but are not involved in the production of print copies.

UMass Global Digital Commons Questions

  1. What should I put for my date of award?
    Put the month and year that your degree will be awarded, i.e. the same date that's on your title page. You don't have to fill in a specific day
     
  2. What is an embargo? 
    An embargo is a way to prevent your dissertation from being downloadable for a period of time. The record for your dissertation would be publicly viewable, but the file would not become readable/downloadable until the embargo expires.

General Questions

  1. Where can I view examples of dissertations or clinical scholarly projects (CSPs) submitted by UMass Global students? 
    1. Go to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
    2. On the front page, click on the Advanced Search link
      In ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, click on Advanced search
    3. In the dropdown menu next to the first search box, select University/Institution - SCH

      In the dropdown menu next to the first search box, select University/School-SCH

      Click or tap the image to view a larger version

      1. Use University of Massachusetts Global for dissertations/CSPs published in 2021 or later.
      2. Use Brandman University or University of Massachusetts Global for dissertations/CSPs published in 2021.
      3. Use Brandman University for dissertations/CSPs published earlier than 2021.
    4. Use the subsequent search boxes to type in a keyword, subject, degree, department, and other relevant information. 
      Use the search boxes to specify department, advisor, and other relevant information
    5. Click Search to view the results.