caption for thesis completion

Boost Your Vibes – 180+ Dissertation Instagram Captions & Quotes

Embark on a journey of academic inspiration with our curated collection of Dissertation Instagram captions and quotes tailored specifically for your dissertation endeavors. Whether you’re diving into the depths of research, grappling with complex theories, or celebrating small victories along the way, these captions and quotes are designed to uplift, motivate, and accompany you through every stage of your dissertation process. From moments of triumph to challenges overcome, let these words serve as beacons of encouragement as you navigate the intricate landscape of scholarly pursuit. Let your Instagram posts reflect not just your academic achievements, but also the resilience, determination, and passion that drive you forward in your pursuit of knowledge.

Funny Dissertation Instagram Captions

• “I may have a degree, but I’ll always be a hot mess”
• “Ph.D. in progress, because who needs sleep anyway?”
• “A Ph.D. in procrastination? Sounds about right for me”
• “With a degree in hand, I can finally say goodbye to the hot mess express”
• “Ph.D.: because sleep is for the weak”
• “Submitting my thesis, just before it becomes obsolete.”
• “Dominating the dissertating game “
• “Penning the future, page by page “
• “A journey of late nights, caffeine, and mental toughness “
• “Procrastination, now with a PhD “
• “Thesis all-nighters, a rite of passage “
• “Fueled by coffee and takeout “
• “Bossing my way through dissertations “
• “Deadlines oversleep, always “
• “Elevated from caffeine to coffee connoisseur “
• “Stress management, Ph.D. level “
• “One more page, for academic integrity “
• “Farewell student life, hello career “.

Dissertation Instagram Captions

• “Transforming research into reality “
• “Pushing boundaries with my Ph.D.”
• “Navigating the Ph.D. path to success “
• “From inception to excellence .”
• “Conquering the impossible with determination”
• “Fueled by coffee and driven by passion”
• “Elevating my education to new heights”
• “Transforming ideas into ground-breaking research”
• “Embracing the dissertation process with tenacity”
• “Pushing forward, one page at a time”
• “Bringing my academic goals to life “
• “Forging a path to my future success”
• “Making a lasting impact on my field”
• “Rising to the ultimate academic challenge”.
• “Chasing my dreams, one dissertation at a time”
•  Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a new beginning and a chance to do things better.
• Learning is a lifelong process, so never stop growing and expanding your horizons!
•  Time management is essential in achieving success both personally and professionally.
•  Prioritize your time wisely and don’t procrastinate!
• You can’t put a price on education.
• Learning is a never-ending process.
•  Keep your mind open and keep learning!

Law Dissertation Instagram Captions

• “Unraveling the mysteries of the law, one word at a time”
• “Uncovering the complexities of the legal world”
• “Championing justice through insightful legal research”
• “Putting my legal education to the ultimate test!”
• “Sparking change with my legal research”
• “Bringing simplicity to complex legal concepts”
• “Uncovering the mysteries of the legal system
• “ Making a meaningful impact with my law dissertation”
• No matter what life throws at you, always remember to keep learning and growing.
• Your dissertation is just one small step on your journey of lifelong learning!
• So if you want to be the best, start working on your dissertation now.
• You can’t put a price on knowledge.
• A dissertation is not just a piece of writing, it’s a journey.
• Every step is one step closer to your goal.
• Your dissertation is just the beginning of your journey to becoming an expert in your field.

Dissertation Hand in Instagram Captions

• This is it. The final step in my academic journey.
• Time to hand in my dissertation and move on to the next phase of my life.
• It’s not about being the best, it’s about putting in the work and dedication.
• Handing in my dissertation is just one step closer to my goal.
•  Start early and pace yourself!
• Dissertations are all about time management. Know your priorities and schedule your time wisely!
•  A dissertation is an opportunity to show your brilliance. Don’t let anything hold you back!
•  The key to writing a great dissertation is organization and focus. Stay on track and don’t procrastinate!
• Dissertation hand-in day is finally here!
• “Mission accomplished “
• “Stepping closer to donning my graduation gown”
• “Endless effort brings endless reward”
• “ Saying goodbye to long nights and hello to graduation “
• “Celebrating my persistence and perseverance”
• “Submitting my thesis with pride “
• “Closing the chapter on my dissertation journey”
• “Finishing what I started “
• “Celebrating my academic triumph “
• “Farewell to sleepless nights and exhaustive research”
• “Celebrating the successful submission of my dissertation”

Dissertation Submission Instagram Captions

• “Can’t believe it’s finally over! Time to say goodbye to late nights and endless research”
• “Dreams don’t work unless you do. And today, I did it!”
• “All good things come to an end. But this ending marks the beginning of a new adventure”
• “Finally hitting that submit button on my dissertation!”
• “From research to defense and everything in between. I did it! “.
• “From the first page to the last, I gave it my all. And it paid off”
• “Finally, I can say I did it! Doctorate degree in hand”.
•  Dissertation submitted and ready for the next adventure. “
• “Excited for what the future holds!”
• “The end of an era, but the start of a new one.”
• “My dissertation is finally submitted and ready to conquer the world!”
• “Dissertation submitted! “
• “Submitting my dissertation is like reaching the summit of a mountain I’ve been climbing for years. It feels amazing!”
• “Celebrating my hard-earned Doctorate”
• “A journey of dedication and determination”
• “From student to the doctor “
• “Endless research and writing, now a Ph.D.”
• “Celebrating the completion of my doctoral journey”
• “A world of knowledge gained”

Best Dissertation Instagram Captions

• “Fueling my brain with words and coffee”
• “Steadily advancing towards the Ph.D. finish”
• “The ultimate test of my research and writing skills”
• “Turning my theories into tangible outcomes”
• “The cost of a Ph.D.: time, effort, and a few all-nighters”
• “Finally defended in my thesis “
• “If at first, you don’t succeed, revise, revise again!”
• “I have a degree in knowing things. “
• “I don’t know what the future holds, but my thesis holds a lot of it.”
• “Because a Ph.D. isn’t just a title, it’s a lifestyle.”
• “Ain’t no mountain high enough to stop me from finishing my thesis!.”
• “Dissertations are like a marathon, not a sprint.
• It takes time, energy, and dedication to finish one.”
•  A dissertation is like a baby: it takes months of hard work and dedication to bring it into the world.
• “The best dissertations come from students who are passionate about their research.”
•  A dissertation is worth the effort if it makes even one person’s life better.

Final Thoughts

As you reach the culmination of your dissertation journey, remember that your achievements are not just measured in words written or pages completed, but in the growth, resilience, and dedication you have demonstrated throughout the process. Let these Instagram captions and quotes serve as reminders of the obstacles you’ve overcome, the milestones you’ve reached, and the passion that has fueled your academic pursuit. As you prepare to embark on new endeavors or enter the next phase of your academic or professional career, carry with you the lessons learned, the connections made, and the accomplishments achieved. May your dissertation serve as a testament to your intellect, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to scholarship. And as you share your success with the world through Instagram, may these captions and quotes continue to inspire and uplift you, and others, in their own academic journey.

Also-check-out:

• 421+ Best College Instagram captions for college Graduation post
• 280+ Best Roommate Captions for Instagram with Quotes
• 350+ Best Karma Captions for Instagram to Inspire, Motivate
• 200+ Catchy Event Planning Captions for Instagram
• 101 Award Captions for Instagram: Best winning captions & Quotes

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Readings With Hope

50 Congratulations Messages for Thesis Defense

The culmination of years of research, sleepless nights, and countless revisions, a thesis defense is a significant milestone in any scholar’s academic journey. It marks the transition from student to expert, from learner to contributor. 

As friends, family, and colleagues, it’s our privilege and joy to share in this momentous occasion. 

And what better way to express our admiration and pride than with the perfect congratulatory message? 

Whether you’re seeking heartfelt words or a touch of humor, this guide offers some congratulatory messages tailored for thesis defenses, ensuring that you convey just the right sentiment. 

Dive in and discover the ideal way to celebrate this monumental achievement!

Congratulations Messages for Thesis Defense

• Congratulations on your outstanding defense! The dedication and hard work you poured into your research truly shone through today. You’ve set the bar high for aspiring researchers.
• Every step of your academic journey has led to this monumental achievement. You’ve not only defended your thesis but also upheld the spirit of inquiry. Well done!
• Bravo! Your passion for your topic was evident in your defense. May this success open doors to even greater achievements in the future.
• It’s not just about defending a thesis, it’s about standing strong for your ideas and insights. You’ve made everyone proud today! Keep reaching for the stars.
• Your defense was nothing short of spectacular! Your depth of knowledge and eloquence truly impressed everyone. Celebrate this huge milestone!
• Watching you defend your thesis was a clear reminder of the power of dedication and perseverance. You’ve achieved something truly remarkable. Kudos to you!
• Your rigorous research, methodical approach, and confident defense have surely set you apart. You’re destined for greatness! Congratulations!
• Celebrating your phenomenal achievement today! Your defense was a testament to the countless hours of hard work and commitment. Well done!
• You’ve not only defended your thesis but also ignited inspiration in many. Your prowess and expertise were truly commendable. Hats off to you!
• Today, you’ve added another feather to your academic cap. Your defense was articulate and insightful, paving the way for many more successes.

• Your success story is an inspiration. With every challenge, you’ve risen above and proved your mettle. Heartiest congratulations on a brilliant defense!
• The way you handled the questions and presented your findings was truly commendable. You’ve defended more than a thesis; you’ve defended your dreams.
• A monumental day in your academic journey! Your defense showcased not just your findings, but also your deep passion for your subject. Congrats!
• The precision, dedication, and brilliance you displayed during your defense was unparalleled. May this success lead you to greater adventures!
• Congratulations on turning your thesis into a masterpiece and defending it with such flair! You are indeed a force to be reckoned with in your field.
• You came, you researched, and you conquered! Today’s defense was a shining moment in your academic journey. Take a bow!
• Your meticulous research and eloquent defense have surely set a benchmark. Heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable achievement!
• From the proposal to the defense, your journey has been a testament to hard work and perseverance. Today, you reaped the rewards. Cheers to you!
• It’s one thing to write a thesis and another to defend it so proficiently. You’ve showcased true academic excellence. Congratulations!
• Your defense was a powerful demonstration of your commitment to your field. You’ve made a mark, and this is just the beginning. Well done!

• By successfully defending your thesis, you’ve proven that dreams coupled with hard work can lead to monumental achievements. Congrats!
• The diligence with which you approached your thesis and the confidence with which you defended it were exemplary. Your future is bright! Cheers to your success.
• A standing ovation for your impeccable defense! Your passion and dedication were palpable in every word you spoke. Congratulations!
• Your thesis defense was more than a presentation; it was a performance of your unwavering commitment to your research. You’ve truly outdone yourself. Bravo!
• Today, you’ve not only earned a degree but also the respect and admiration of many. Your defense was a masterclass. Here’s to many more accomplishments!
• Your resilience and determination have culminated in this grand moment. Every slide, every word, every answer was a testament to your dedication. Congratulations!
• The journey from hypothesis to conclusion is long and arduous. Yet, you navigated it with grace and brilliance. Your defense was simply extraordinary!
• Today, you didn’t just defend a thesis; you showcased your unwavering commitment to knowledge. Your confidence and expertise were in full display. Cheers!
• What a magnificent achievement! Your eloquent defense was a reflection of the hard work and sleepless nights you invested. Take a well-deserved bow!
• Behind this success is a saga of challenges, perseverance, and undying passion. You defended with vigor and pride. Heartiest congratulations!

• Today, you’ve shown everyone that with passion and determination, even the loftiest academic goals can be achieved. Your defense was impeccable!
• As you stood there, confidently presenting and defending, you personified academic excellence. Many congratulations on your momentous achievement!
• Thesis defense is more than an academic ritual; it’s a rite of passage. You’ve transitioned with such brilliance. Here’s to the journey ahead!
• Your defense today wasn’t just about your research; it was about your dedication, your passion, and your drive. You truly shined! Congratulations!
• In the realm of academia, moments like these define a scholar. Your remarkable defense has undoubtedly set you on a path of greatness. Kudos!
• Celebrating your incredible milestone! Every query you addressed showcased the depth of your understanding. Your defense was truly commendable.
• In your defense, we didn’t just see slides and hear words; we witnessed your journey, your struggles, and your victories. A job splendidly done!
• The brilliance with which you defended your thesis is indicative of the great things awaiting you in the future. Heartfelt congratulations!
• Your defense was a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and prowess. It’s evident how much of yourself you’ve poured into this work. Salutations on your achievement!
• To take a concept, research it thoroughly, and then defend it with such finesse is truly admirable. Your hard work has paid off! Cheers!

• This is not just a celebration of your defense but also a testament to your relentless pursuit of knowledge. You’ve made everyone immensely proud.
• Not everyone can stand their ground and defend their years of research with such confidence. You were phenomenal! Here’s to this and many more successes.
• The depth, the rigor, and the brilliance you showcased during your defense was a masterclass in itself. You’ve raised the bar! Congratulations.
• Today’s success story is a combination of your determination, hard work, and an undying spirit of inquiry. You truly deserve all the accolades!
• Thesis defense is a significant milestone, and the way you executed it was nothing short of perfection. You’ve etched a mark in everyone’s heart. Kudos!
• The journey you embarked on led to this commendable defense. Every challenge faced has turned into a stepping stone for your success. Hats off to you!
• Your defense was an exhibition of your depth of knowledge and commitment to your field. A triumphant moment truly worth celebrating!
• Successfully defending a thesis is a monumental achievement, and today, you’ve proven your mettle. Warmest congratulations on this feat!
• Your defense wasn’t just a presentation; it was a manifestation of your passion, hard work, and perseverance. Your success is truly well-deserved.
• In your defense, we saw the culmination of years of dedication, learning, and growth. You’ve made a remarkable achievement. Heartiest congratulations!

Founder @ ReadingsWithHope.com

I make sure that your cards don't go empty handed.

217+ Best Captions for Completion of Master’s Degree

Are you searching for the best Instagram captions to celebrate the completion of your master’s degree? Completing a master’s degree is a monumental achievement, marking the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and countless late nights spent studying. As you prepare to step into a new chapter of your life, it’s only fitting to commemorate this milestone with the perfect Instagram caption. Finding the perfect words to accompany this milestone can be a daunting task. But fear not! This post contains a selection of clever and motivational Instagram captions that are ideal for congratulating yourself on finishing your master’s degree. Prepare to show off your academic achievements in style and declare that you’re prepared to take on whatever comes next.

Table of Contents

“Mastering the art of learning .” “From student to scholar: Master’s degree achieved!” “Turning dreams into degrees.” “Unlocking new doors with a Master’s key.” “Level up: Master’s degree unlocked!” “Educated, dedicated, and now graduated.” “A journey of knowledge completed.” “Mastering the next chapter of life.” “Diploma in hand, future in mind.” “Raising the bar with a Master’s star.” “Stepping into a new realm of expertise.” “A tassel worth the hassle.” “Empowered by education, equipped for success.” “A Master’s journey well-traveled.” “Conquering challenges, claiming victories.” “Celebrating the triumph of academia.” “The chapter closes, but the wisdom lingers.” “Mastering the art of education.” “Turning passion into profession.” “Achievement unlocked: Master’s degree obtained!” “A scholarly adventure comes to a triumphant close.” “Tassel turned, dreams earned.” “The end of one chapter, the beginning of another.” “Master’s degree: a testament to dedication.” “Graduation: where the tassel is worth the hassle.” “Learning, growing, achieving – Master’s degree done!” “Smart is the new black: Master’s degree achieved.” “Transforming dreams into a degree reality.” “Officially a master in the art of education.” “Mission accomplished: Master’s degree acquired.” “Knowledge gained, diploma obtained.” “Commencement: the beginning of a new chapter.” “Mastering the intricacies of academia.” “A scholar’s journey reaches its zenith.” “Diploma in hand, possibilities at my feet.” “Equipped with education, ready for the future.” “Mastering the balance of hard work and success.” “Earning a Master’s: where passion meets profession.” “Commencing into a future of endless possibilities.” “The final keystroke: Master’s degree complete.” “Transforming education into expertise.” “Mastering the mind, conquering the field.” “Diploma in hand, knowledge in heart.” “Academic odyssey complete: Master’s degree obtained.” “Stepping confidently into a world of opportunities.” “Mastering the curriculum and conquering goals.” “The scroll unrolls: Master’s degree revealed.” “In pursuit of knowledge, I found a Master’s.” “Cap and gown, wisdom profound.” “Turning passion into a profession: Master’s achieved.” “The end of a scholarly saga, the start of a new narrative.” “From classrooms to cap and gown: Master’s achieved!” “Master’s degree earned – the saga continues.” “Unlocking doors with a Master’s key.” “Diploma in hand, a journey well-planned.” “Mastering the maze of academia.” “Graduation day: the daydreams become degrees.” “Equipped with knowledge, empowered for life.” “Diploma collected, dreams validated.” “Academic milestones achieved, new horizons await.” “Turning dreams into degrees, one cap at a time.” “The culmination of hard work: Master’s degree accomplished.” “Celebrating the triumph of academia.” “From student to scholar, the evolution is complete.” “Mastering the art of education, one degree at a time.” “Transforming knowledge into wisdom.” “Diploma achieved, aspirations unlocked.” “Educated, empowered, evolved.” Next:  211+ Best Inspiring Captions for the Best Teachers “The last exam is done, the Master’s journey won.” “Earning my stripes in the world of academia.” “A scholar’s journey: the pursuit of excellence.” “Master’s degree in hand, the world at my feet.” “Commencement: the gateway to a new adventure.” “The end of one chapter, the beginning of another.” “Diploma received, knowledge perceived.” “Mastering the academic arena, one degree richer.” “Turning the tassel, embracing the future.” “From textbooks to triumph: Master’s degree accomplished.” “The final chapter: Master’s degree completed.” “Mastering the art of lifelong learning.” “Academic excellence personified: Master’s achieved!” “Diploma in hand, wisdom in heart.” “The final exam is over, but the journey continues.” “Transforming aspirations into accomplishments.” “Mastering the complexities, embracing the possibilities.” “The journey from student to Master is now complete.” “Turning dreams into degrees, one milestone at a time.” “Diploma obtained, dreams validated.” “A Master’s journey: the pursuit of knowledge refined.” “The last class attended, the last test transcended.” “Mastering the subject, conquering the field.” “Educated, empowered, and now officially graduated.” “Diploma in hand, ready for the world.” “Commencement: the grand finale of an academic symphony.” “From lectures to laurels: Master’s degree achieved!” “The end of a chapter, the beginning of a legacy.” “Turning pages and turning tassels: Master’s degree earned.” “The final assignment submitted, the Master’s degree admitted.” “Equipped with knowledge, prepared for success.” “Diploma achieved, potential unleashed.” “Commencement: the gateway to a world of possibilities.” “Master’s degree: the summit of scholarly achievement.” “The final thesis defended, the degree ascended.” “From exams to excellence: Master’s achieved!” “Turning passion into a profession, one degree richer.” “The last lecture attended, the last milestone appended.” “Master’s degree: the key to intellectual treasure.” “Diploma in hand, wisdom in my command.” “Commencement: the beginning of a lifelong odyssey.” “Master’s degree: the passport to a brighter future.” “Turning the tassel, embracing the next chapter.” “From textbooks to triumphs: Master’s journey complete.” “Diploma received, dreams perceived.” “A scholarly expedition concludes, a new chapter begins.” “Mastering the art of education, the journey well-won.” “Commencement: the launching pad to new endeavors.” “The last assignment submitted, the Master’s journey fitted.” “Turning aspirations into academic accomplishments.” “Diploma in hand, knowledge well-manned.” “Master’s degree earned: a badge of intellectual honor.” “Equipped with education, ready for the next station.” “The final exam is conquered, the Master’s degree honored.” “Commencement: the grand finale of an academic opera.” “Mastering the curriculum, conquering the challenges.” “Diploma achieved, dreams believed.” “The last seminar attended, the last academic venture blended.” “Turning dreams into degrees, one milestone achieved.” “Master’s degree: the culmination of academic resilience.” “Educated, elevated, and now celebrated.” “Diploma received, ambitions conceived.” “Commencement: the inauguration of a lifelong journey.” “Master’s degree: the pinnacle of academic triumph.” Next:  300+ Inspirational Captions for Monday’s Motivation “Turning the tassel, embracing a future of endless possibilities.” “The final thesis presented, the Master’s journey well-represented.” “From exams to expertise: Master’s degree accomplished!” “Diploma in hand, knowledge well-manned.” “Mastering the subject, conquering the challenges.” “The final class attended, the last academic venture splendid.” “Turning dreams into degrees, one milestone at a time.” “Diploma achieved, dreams believed.” “Commencement: the inauguration of a lifelong journey.” “Master’s degree: the pinnacle of academic triumph.” “Turning the tassel, embracing a future of endless possibilities.” “The final thesis presented, the Master’s journey well-represented.” “From exams to expertise: Master’s degree accomplished!” “Diploma in hand, knowledge well-manned.” “Mastering the subject, conquering the challenges.” “The final class attended, the last academic venture splendid.” “Turning dreams into degrees, one milestone at a time.” “Diploma achieved, dreams believed.” Funny Instagram captions for completion of masters degree “Mastered the art of sleep deprivation: Check” “Officially a Master, unofficially a coffee connoisseur.” “Graduated from ‘Netflix and Chill’ to ‘Thesis and Panic.'” “Mastering the art of adulting, one degree at a time.” “Masters degree: Because Hogwarts doesn’t exist.” “Finally, a Master of Procrastination.” “Got my degree, now where’s my adult supervision?” “Officially a Master of avoiding adulthood.” “Master’s degree: Expensive piece of paper, accomplished feeling.” “Degree in hand, confusion in mind.” “Masters: Now qualified to question life choices.” “Mastered the art of overthinking: Thanks, academia.” “Master’s degree unlocked! Next level: TBD.” “Mastered the art of student loans: Graduation edition.” “Master’s degree: Turning caffeine into knowledge.” “Diploma in one hand, student debt in the other.” “Masters: The perfect excuse for drinking champagne at 10 am.” “Mastering the art of pretending to know what I’m doing.” “Diploma acquired, now accepting job offers and coffee.” “Master’s degree: Because adulting is hard without credentials.” “Mastered the fine art of bullsh*tting essays.” “Masters degree: Making parents proud since [insert graduation year].” “Officially a Master, still a disaster.” “Mastered the skill of turning panic into productivity.” “Finally, a Master of Google Scholar.” “Master’s degree: Now accepting congratulatory drinks.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can do research!'” “Degree unlocked, adulthood level up!” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can write a mean bibliography.'” “Mastered the art of balancing caffeine intake with sleep.” “Master’s degree: Because I’m too legit to quit.” “Graduated with a Master’s degree in sarcasm.” “Master’s degree: Fuelled by coffee and determination.” “Mastered the art of pretending to understand statistics.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I’m really good at Google.'” “Degree in hand, ready to adult… after a nap.” “Master’s degree: The ultimate test of resilience and procrastination.” “Mastered the art of bullsh*tting my way through presentations.” “Masters: Because the world needed another expert in something.” “Officially qualified to have imposter syndrome.” “Master’s degree: Proof that I can Google like a pro.” “Masters: Making studying an extreme sport.” “Diploma received, student loans activated.” “Mastered the fine art of surviving on ramen noodles.” “Master’s degree: Where sleep is for the weak.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can write a 10-page paper in 2 hours.'” “Officially a Master, unofficially a professional procrastinator.” “Master’s degree: The ultimate excuse for caffeine addiction.” “Masters: Because ‘winging it’ isn’t a sustainable life plan.” “Degree in hand, confidence… somewhere around here.” “Mastered the skill of making PowerPoint slides at 3 am.” “Masters: Because who needs a social life anyway?” “Master’s degree: Where citation styles become a competitive sport.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can function on 4 hours of sleep.'” “Officially a Master, still a work in progress.” “Master’s degree: Where ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’ becomes a lifestyle.” “Masters: Turning caffeine into coherent thoughts since [insert graduation year].” “Mastered the art of nodding knowingly in seminars.” “Master’s degree: Because learning doesn’t stop at undergrad.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can analyze literature until the cows come home.'” “Officially a Master, unofficially a professional overthinker.” “Master’s degree: Where existential crises are part of the curriculum.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can survive on instant noodles and determination.'” “Mastered the art of writing essays the night before they’re due.” “Master’s degree: Because why stop learning when you can specialize?” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can make PowerPoint presentations like a boss.'” “Diploma unlocked, now onto the next level of adulting.” “Mastered the skill of sounding intelligent in class discussions.” “Master’s degree: The ultimate exercise in time management (or lack thereof).” “Masters: Turning stress into an art form since [insert graduation year].” “Officially a Master, still waiting for the adulting manual.” “Master’s degree: Because sometimes a bachelor’s just isn’t enough.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can cite sources in my sleep.'” “Mastered the art of finding scholarly articles at the last minute.” “Master’s degree: The perfect excuse for living in sweatpants.” “Masters: Turning coffee into breakthroughs since [insert graduation year].” “Officially a Master, unofficially a professional researcher.” “Master’s degree: Where every day is a battle against procrastination.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can write a killer thesis statement.'” “Degree unlocked, now accepting job offers and existential crises.” “Mastered the fine art of defending my thesis without crying.” “Master’s degree: Because I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment… and crippling debt.” “Masters: Where ‘I’ll start studying after this episode’ turns into an all-nighter.” “Officially a Master, still haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up.” “Master’s degree: Turning scholarly articles into bedtime stories.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can survive group projects without losing my mind.'” “Mastered the art of sounding profound in abstracts.” “Master’s degree: Where every day is a new adventure in existential dread.” “Masters: Turning panic into productivity since [insert graduation year].” “Officially a Master, still using SparkNotes for book summaries.” “Master’s degree: Where imposter syndrome thrives.” “Masters: The degree that says, ‘I can navigate the complexities of APA formatting.'” “Mastered the art of pretending to understand complex theories.” “Master’s degree: Turning passion into a career… hopefully.” “Masters: Where ‘I’ll just Google it’ becomes a legitimate research strategy.” “Officially a Master, still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter.” “Master’s degree: The ultimate exercise in self-doubt and perseverance.” “Masters: Turning theory into practice since [insert graduation year].” “Mastered the art of writing conclusions that make it seem like I know what I’m talking about.” “Master’s degree: Because who needs free time anyway?”

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• More Networks

50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students: Nurturing Brilliance on Academic Journey

Embark on an inspiring journey of academic pursuit with “50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students.” This remarkable compilation of unique and original quotes is a source of motivation, resilience, and wisdom for those undertaking the rigorous path of doctoral studies. Let these powerful words of encouragement uplift your spirits, ignite your passion for research, and remind you of the remarkable impact your work can have on the world.

50 Inspirational Quotes For PhD Students

1. “Embrace the challenges of your PhD journey, for they will shape you into a resilient and brilliant scholar.”

2. “In the realm of knowledge, your PhD is the key to unlocking doors of discovery and leaving a lasting legacy.”

3. “Rise above self-doubt and believe in your ability to make a significant contribution to your field through your PhD research.”

4. “Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Keep pushing forward, and success will be your reward.”

5. “The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, and your PhD is a testament to your dedication and passion.”

6. “Remember, the greatest discoveries often emerge from the moments when you dare to question the status quo.”

7. “Your PhD thesis is not just a document; it is a reflection of your ability to think critically and innovate.”

8. “The path to a PhD may be long and winding, but the destination will be worth every step.”

9. “Stay curious, for curiosity fuels the fires of discovery and fuels the drive to explore uncharted territories.”

10. “When the going gets tough, remember why you started. Your passion will guide you through the darkest of times.”

11. “In the realm of academia, failure is not the end but a stepping stone towards greater success.”

12. “Embrace collaboration and seek the wisdom of fellow scholars, for the collective mind is a force to be reckoned with.”

13. “The impact of your research will transcend the walls of academia, shaping the world for generations to come.”

14. “Celebrate the small victories along your PhD journey, for they are the building blocks of your ultimate triumph.”

15. “Find joy in the pursuit of knowledge, for it is in the process that you truly discover the beauty of learning.”

16. “Remember that every question holds the potential to unravel mysteries and pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries.”

17. “Perseverance is the key to conquering any obstacle on your path to obtaining your PhD.”

18. “Be open to new ideas and perspectives, for it is through diversity that innovation truly thrives.”

19. “Your PhD is not just an academic achievement; it is a testament to your resilience, dedication, and unwavering spirit.”

20. “Embrace failure as a teacher, for it provides invaluable lessons that will propel you closer to success.”

21. “Dare to challenge existing paradigms and forge your own path of discovery in your PhD research.”

22. “Your unique perspective and insights have the power to reshape the world. Believe in your ability to make a difference.”

23. “Embrace the beauty of the unknown, for it is within those uncharted territories that breakthroughs await.”

24. “Through your PhD journey, you are not just a student but a pioneer of knowledge, carving your own intellectual legacy.”

25. “Never forget the transformative power of your PhD. You have the capacity to change lives and make the world a better place.”

26. “As a PhD student, you possess the ability to turn questions into discoveries and uncertainties into knowledge.”

27. “Seek inspiration from the great minds that came before you, but let your own unique voice shine through in your research.”

28. “Remember, the value of your PhD lies not only in the destination but also in the transformative journey you undertake.”

29. “Embrace the interdisciplinary nature of academia, for it is at the intersections that groundbreaking ideas are born.”

30. “Your passion for learning and dedication to your field will guide you through the challenges and propel you towards success.”

31. “A PhD is not just about acquiring expertise; it’s about pushing the boundaries of human understanding.”

32. “In the face of adversity, let perseverance be your fuel and determination be your guiding light.”

33. “Embrace the moments of uncertainty, for it is within those gaps that profound discoveries and insights emerge.”

34. “Remember that failure is not a reflection of your worth but an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.”

35. “Your PhD is an opportunity to contribute to the collective wisdom of humanity and leave an indelible mark.”

36. “Never underestimate the power of collaboration and the magic that unfolds when minds come together.”

37. “Celebrate the small victories, for they are stepping stones towards the greater triumphs awaiting you.”

38. “As a PhD student, your thirst for knowledge is a beacon that will guide you towards profound revelations.”

39. “In the pursuit of your PhD, don’t be afraid to challenge convention and explore unconventional paths.”

40. “Every experiment, every failure, and every success brings you one step closer to becoming a true master of your field.”

41. “Let passion be the driving force behind your research, igniting a fire that fuels your intellectual journey.”

42. “Amidst the rigors of academia, remember to nourish your mind, body, and soul. Self-care is essential for success.”

43. “Your PhD journey is a testament to your courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.”

44. “Keep your eyes open to the beauty of the world, for inspiration can often be found in the most unexpected places.”

45. “Your unique perspective and original ideas have the power to reshape paradigms and challenge the status quo.”

46. “Approach each research question with an open mind, for the true essence of learning lies in embracing diverse viewpoints.”

47. “Believe in the transformative potential of your PhD, as it empowers you to make a difference in the lives of others.”

48. “Let curiosity be your guiding compass, leading you to uncharted territories where groundbreaking discoveries await.”

49. “In your pursuit of knowledge, remember that perseverance, resilience, and adaptability are your most valuable companions.”

50. “Your PhD is not the end but the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of your chosen field.”

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

PhDLife Blog

Sharing PhD experiences across the University of Warwick and beyond

Motivational Quotes for the PhD Journey

The PhD journey is a long one where it’s easy and normal to feel unmotivated for certain stretches of time. We all need a little inspiration to perk us up during those days. Jenny Mak offers you four handy motivational quotes for when the going gets tough during your PhD…

“Success requires Action”

We all procrastinate. It’s something that is easy to do especially at the beginning of your PhD when it feels like you have a lot of time. But to be successful—by this I mean successfully finishing and submitting your thesis—it’s not enough to say that you want a PhD, you also have to do the work. Doing the work means sitting down at your desk, butt firmly stuck to chair, and just doing it. It helps to set yourself concrete goals like writing 500 words a day, and trying your best to meet that target every day.

“Progress, not Perfection”

Perfectionism often gets confused with having high standards. For me, this has meant that I’d revised a chapter countless times before sending it to my supervisors for feedback because I felt that it just wasn’t right. But here’s the problem: the “right” version doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion—painfully shattered when you get back said chapter with lots of critical comments from your supervisor. Conversely, something that you think is “average” might actually be good enough for your supervisor. It’s good to have high standards, but don’t kill yourself over them. “Good enough” tends to be good enough. Check out Petra Kolber’s TED talk titled “The Perfection Detox” for some sharp insights into the perils of perfectionism.

“Eat the Elephant one bite at a time”

I don’t remember where I heard this quote. But it came handy in the late stages of my PhD when I felt tired and frustrated that no matter how much and how fast I was writing and revising, there still seemed to be no end in sight. Finishing a thesis can feel like having a huge elephant in front of you that you’re supposed to eat in its entirety. Of course, if you mainly focus on how massive this elephant is and when you can finish eating it up, you will feel overwhelmed. But if you take the elephant bite by bite, and not think about how much of it is left, one day the elephant will be all gone. The same goes for your thesis: break it down to small actionable tasks and do one task after another, until it is done and ready for submission.

“Enjoy Climbing the Mountain”

Doing a PhD is extremely challenging work. While we do it for the intellectual stimulation, sometimes we might wonder: why do we put ourselves through such difficulty? If you need a reminder of why you have chosen to do this, here is a quote by Tadashi Yanai , the founder of Uniqlo, which I have found helpful: “I’m never really satisfied with anything because the world is ever-changing. If you keep climbing up, then you see another, higher mountain. You climb up that peak and see another. I will pass away eventually because that is life. But I am climbing mountains because I enjoy the process of climbing a mountain.”

What challenges have you faced in your PhD so far? What motivational quotes did you find helpful when you had to face these challenges? Tweet us at  @ResearchEx , email us at [email protected], or leave a comment below.

Jenny Mak is a PhD researcher in the English and Comparative Literary Studies department at the University of Warwick. Her research looks at embodied experiences of globalisation in contemporary world literature. She has a background in creative writing, journalism, publishing, and sports training.

Image:  dandelion-dewdrop-flower-close-3094349  /  cocoparisienne /  CC0 1.0

Share this:

2 thoughts on “ motivational quotes for the phd journey ”.

Whenever I feel like want to give up on my PhD, I always remember one beautiful quotes from Alex Wassabi that he mentioned in one of his vlog. His quote sounds like this: ” We know what will happen if we give up, but we don’t know what will happen if we don’t”.

Excellent, motivational!

Comments are closed.

Want the latest PhD Life posts direct to your inbox? Subscribe below.

Type your email…

Blog at WordPress.com.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

3 inspiring master’s thesis acknowledgement examples

Writing a thesis acknowledgment is a meaningful milestone, marking the completion of a master’s thesis and the end of a master’s education. Questions about its length, tone, and acceptability commonly arise for many students. To provide inspiration, here are three concise master’s thesis acknowledgment examples for you to consider as you compose your own.

What to consider when writing a master’s thesis acknowledgement

Master’s thesis acknowledgement example 1: formal and polite, master’s thesis acknowledgement example 2: emotional and personal, master’s thesis acknowledgement example 3: humorous and grateful.

It is very rare not to have an acknowledgment for your thesis, so almost all master’s students will face the challenge of writing one sooner or later if they are working on a thesis. Master thesis acknowledgments typically range between 100-350 words.

While there are usually no fixed rules on how to write it, remember that the acknowledgment is one of the first things that the reader (including potential assessors!) will see, as it is usually placed before the thesis introduction . Thus, you want to make a good impression. While making an acknowledgment personal, keep it somewhat formal.

Furthermore, it is good to thank your supervisor, even if you did not have the best relationship, out of courtesy. You can also express gratitude to family, friends, or even pets, but keep in mind that many theses are publicly available, so do not share anything that you would not want the world to know. Again, maintaining a somewhat formal tone will help with this.

If you want more information, check out this post on general tips that I wrote on how to create a distinct and meaningful acknowledgment section that reflects your gratitude and appreciation.

You may also like: 5 inspiring PhD thesis acknowledgement examples

While some individuals are naturally expressive, openly sharing their private lives even in public, others may not feel as comfortable with such openness—and that’s perfectly acceptable.

Crafting a brief, formal, and polite thesis acknowledgement is a universal practice, ensuring that you convey appreciation without overstepping personal boundaries.

If you are more emotional and personal, and want to include that in your thesis acknowledgement, this is also perfectly fine. Remember, do you, as long as you keep it to an acceptable level of formality.

While maintaining a degree of formality in a thesis acknowledgement, there’s room for a touch of humor to let your personality shine through. Embracing a lighthearted tone doesn’t diminish the significance of the acknowledgment; rather, it can add a personal and engaging touch.

Master Academia

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.

Subscribe and receive Master Academia's quarterly newsletter.

10 common challenges of first-year students (+ practical solutions)

The best ai tools for academic paraphrasing: tested and ranked, related articles.

Left your dissertation too late? Ways to take action now

Better thesis writing with the Pomodoro® technique

First meeting with your dissertation supervisor: What to expect

75 linking words for academic writing (+examples)

126 Best Graduation Captions to Pair With Your Diploma Selfies

These are perfect for Instagram and will easily encompass everything graduation day means to you.

While your photos will speak for themselves, the captions you choose have the power to put into words all that graduation day means to you. Captivate your followers with inspirational quotes to eloquently reflect upon the past and share your aspirations for the future. Or, crack a joke with a short, funny saying to add some humor to the big day. If you’d rather dedicate your caption to an uplifting or heartfelt lyric that sums up your education experience, we’ve also got you covered with a variety of quotes from graduation songs .

No matter if you’re the graduate or cheering them on in the stands, it’s a time to be proud of the hard work behind the diploma and share the moment on social media with one (or more!) of these hand-picked captions.

Inspirational Graduation Captions

• I took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.
• It's time to plant the seeds of hope and a new, brighter future.
• Be bold. Be courageous. Be your best.
• I came, I saw, I conquered.
• There’s no need to try to fit in, when you were born to stand out.
• When you lean into your passions, you can’t go wrong.
• The things we are racing towards are better than what we leave behind.
• The future looks bright and I will keep on shining.
• This isn't goodbye, but see you later.
• The world is your oyster.
• May your cap fly as high as your dreams.
• Though our branches grow in different directions, our roots remain as one.
• Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feelings.
• And so the adventure begins.
• This is the beginning of everything you want.
• Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.
• What feels like the end is often the beginning.
• If it excites you and scares you at the same time, it probably means you should do it.
• The best way to predict the future is to create it.
• Not letting anyone or anything stand in my way.
• Whatever is good for your soul, that's what you should do.
• Every end has a new beginning.
• I believed I could, so I did.
• If you can dream it, you can make it so.
• The steps you take in life are the imprints you leave forever.
• Never stop believing in yourself. You’ll be amazed at how far it can take you.

Funny Graduation Captions

• Can I take a nap now?
• I got the skills to pay the bills.
• Turns out I wasn't too cool for school.
• Let me put that "hire me" sign on my front lawn now.
• Graduate: (N.) A person who now has carpal tunnel from note-taking.
• Very proud, very tired.
• Cs really do get degrees.
• What, like it’s hard?
• That’s all folks.
• I already forgot everything.
• Beauty and brains.
• Cheers to the memories.
• Now, who is going to pay off these loans?
• Next stop: Adulting
• Some graduate with honors, I am just honored to graduate.
• I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever invented copy and paste.
• Call me a chemistry cylinder because I am graduated.
• Proud of my B.S.
• The tassel was worth the hassle.
• Now, it's hotter in here by one degree.
• Thank you Mom, Dad, and coffee.
• I owe my diploma to coffee.
• I'm 100% certain that I am zero percent sure of what I'm going to do.
• Cap. Gown. It's going down.
• I graduated, so now I'm like all smart and stuff.
• Goodbye, ramen noodles, all-nighters and textbooks!
• I guess I’m all grown up now?

Sweet Graduation Captions

• How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
• Make today your day.
• Now, everything awaits me.
• One step closer.
• On to my next adventure.
• The first step is just showing up.
• Enjoy the journey. Success does not rush.
• The beauty of the future is found when you believe in yourself.
• Take the risk, make the mistake. It’ll all be worth it.
• I laugh without fear of the future.
• All good things must come to an end, but this is just the beginning.
• This is what dreams are made of.
• Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
• The best feeling in the world is knowing your parents are smiling because of you.
• Behind you, all your memories. Before you, all your dreams. Around you, all who love you. Within you, all you need.
• May we continue to do amazing things in life.
• You’ve sacrificed a lot for my future. It may take a lifetime, but I’ll do everything to repay for what you have done for me. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
• Many dream, some try, but I achieved.
• Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.
• Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.
• Reach for the stars. You might become one.
• Never stop dreaming and never lose your spirit.
• Your future is an unwritten symphony just awaiting your creative, daring and unique talent to make it a masterpiece.
• Savor the moment.
• All good things come to an end.

Graduation Captions Inspired by Songs

• “The best is yet to come.” — Frank Sinatra
• “So just think of your future, think of a new life, don't get lost in the memories, keep your eyes on a new prize.” — Paramore
• “Thank U, Next.” — Ariana Grande
• “Watch out for me, I'm bound to glow.”— Drake
• “All work and no play never made me lose it. All business all day keeps me up a level.” — Lorde
• “What didn't break me, made me better.”— Lil Baby
• “For every dark night, there’s always a brighter day.” — Tupac Shakur
• “What was once in the windshield, is now in my rear view” — Jonathan McReynolds
• “Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper.” — Beyoncé
• “It was all a dream.” — Biggie
• “And if at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” — Aaliyah
• “Before I had it, I closed my eyes and imagined the good life.” — Kanye West
• “ Ain't about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waiting on the other side — it's the climb.” — Miley Cyrus
• “And this is the part where you find out who you are.” — The Maine
• “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” — George Fairman
• “There’s just no telling how far I’ll go.” — Moana
• “As we go on, we remember all the times we had together.” — Vitamin C
• “Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.”— Natasha Bedingfield
• “It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life.” — Green Day
• “ Goodbye to you. Goodbye to everything that I knew.” — Michelle Branch
• “I wish that I could have this moment for life.” — Nicki Minaj
• “Long live all the mountains we moved.” — Taylor Swift
• “I'm on the edge of glory, and I'm hangin' on a moment with you.” — Lady Gaga

Graduation Captions Inspired by Quotes

• “The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.” — J.R.R. Tolkien
• “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.” — Oscar Wilde
• “Did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it again.” — Pirates of the Caribbean
• “Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”— Paul Brandt
• “Kid, you’ll move mountains.” — Dr. Seuss
• “One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.” — Maya Angelou
• “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland
• “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” — Milton Berle
• “Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” — Oprah Winfrey
• “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
• “Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.” — Michelle Obama
• “Mischief Managed.” — Harry Potter
• “It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world.” — Legally Blonde
• “She turned her cant's into cans, and her dreams into plans.” — Kobi Yamada
• “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” — Oscar Wilde
• “Dream big and dare to fail.” — Norman Vaughan
• “We know what we are but know not what we may be.” — William Shakespeare
• “The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse.” — Edward Koch
• “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” — William Arthur Ward
• “What she tackles, she conquers.” — Gilmore Girls
• “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis
• “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” — Nora Ephron

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} 100+ Quotes For Any Occasion

78 Sweet and Silly Father's Day Quotes

Beautiful Quotes All About Friendship

Comforting Loss of Father Quotes

40 Father's Day Quotes From Wife to Husband

Our Favorite Pride Month Quotes

Famous Quotes for Earth Day

Inspiring Quotes From People with Disabilities

60 Best Summer Quotes and Sayings 2024

90 Thoughtful and Funny Quotes About Family

Heartwarming Quotes for Kids

40 Hearfelt and Hilarious Mother-in-Law Quotes

Thesis Acknowledgements Examples

5 Examples For Your Inspiration

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024

The acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation is an opportunity to say thanks to all the people who helped you along your research journey. In this post, we’ll share five thesis acknowledgement examples to provide you with some inspiration.

Overview: Acknowledgements Examples

• The acknowledgements 101
• Example:  Formal and professional
• Example:  Warm and personal
• Example:  Challenge-centric
• Example:  Institution-centric
• Example:  Reflective and philosophical
• FREE Acknowledgements template

Acknowledgements 101: The Basics

The acknowledgements section in your thesis or dissertation is where you express gratitude to those who helped bring your project to fruition. This section is typically brief (a page or less) and less formal, but it’s crucial to thank the right individuals in the right order .

As a rule of thumb, you’ll usually begin with academic support : your supervisors, advisors, and faculty members. Next, you’ll acknowledge any funding bodies or sponsors that supported your research. You’ll then follow this with your intellectual contributors , such as colleagues and peers. Lastly, you’ll typically thank your personal support network , including family, friends, and even pets who offered emotional support during your studies.

As you can probably see, this order moves from the most formal acknowledgements to the least . Typically, your supervisor is mentioned first, due to their significant role in guiding and potentially evaluating your work. However, while this structure is recommended, it’s essential to adapt it based on any specific guidelines from your university. So, be sure to always check (and adhere to) any requirements or norms specific to your university.

With that groundwork laid, let’s look at a few dissertation and thesis acknowledgement examples . If you’d like more, check out our collection of dissertation examples here .

Need a helping hand?

Example #1: Formal and Professional

This acknowledgement formally expresses gratitude to academic mentors and peers, emphasising professional support and academic guidance.

I extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Jane Smith, for her unwavering support and insightful critiques throughout my research journey. Her deep commitment to academic excellence and meticulous attention to detail have significantly shaped this dissertation. I am equally thankful to the members of my thesis committee, Dr. John Doe and Dr. Emily White, for their constructive feedback and essential suggestions that enhanced the quality of my work.

My appreciation also goes to the faculty and staff in the Department of Biology at University College London, whose resources and assistance have been invaluable. I would also like to acknowledge my peers for their camaraderie and the stimulating discussions that inspired me throughout my academic journey. Their collective wisdom and encouragement have been a cornerstone of my research experience.

Finally, my sincere thanks to the technical staff whose expertise in managing laboratory equipment was crucial for my experiments. Their patience and readiness to assist at all times have left a profound impact on the completion of my project.

Example #2: Warm and Personal

This acknowledgement warmly credits the emotional and personal support received from family, friends and an approachable mentor during the research process.

This thesis is a reflection of the unwavering support and boundless love I received from my family and friends during this challenging academic pursuit. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my parents, who nurtured my curiosity and supported my educational endeavours from the very beginning.

To my partner, Alex, your endless patience and understanding, especially during the most demanding phases of this research, have been my anchor. A heartfelt thank you to my supervisor, Dr. Mark Brown, whose mentorship extended beyond the academic realm into personal guidance, providing comfort and motivation during tough times.

I am also thankful for my friends, who provided both distractions when needed and encouragement when it seemed impossible to continue. The discussions and unwavering support from my peers at the university have enriched my research experience, making this journey not only possible but also enjoyable. Their presence and insights have been pivotal in navigating the complexities of my research topic.

Example #3: Inclusive of Challenges

This acknowledgement recognises the wide range of support received during unexpected personal and academic challenges, highlighting resilience and communal support.

The path to completing this dissertation has been fraught with both professional challenges and personal adversities. I am profoundly grateful for the enduring support of my supervisor, Dr. Lisa Green, whose steadfast belief in my capabilities and academic potential encouraged me to persevere even during my lowest moments. Her guidance was a beacon of light in times of doubt.

I must also express my deepest appreciation for my family, who stepped in not only with emotional reassurance, but also with critical financial support, when unexpected personal challenges arose. Their unconditional love and sacrifice have been the foundation of my resilience and success.

I am thankful, too, for the support services at the university, including the counselling centre, whose staff provided me with the tools to manage stress and maintain focus on my academic goals. Each of these individuals and institutions played a crucial role in my journey, reminding me that the pursuit of knowledge is not a solo expedition but a communal effort.

Example #4: Institution-Centric

This acknowledgement succinctly appreciates the financial, academic, and operational support provided by the university and its staff.

This dissertation would not have been possible without the generous financial support from the University of Edinburgh Scholarship Programme, which enabled me to focus fully on my research without financial burden. I am profoundly grateful to my advisor, Professor Richard Miles, for his sage advice, rigorous academic guidance, and the confidence he instilled in me. His expertise in the field of microbiology greatly enriched my work.

I would also like to thank the staff at the university library, whose assistance was indispensable. Their patience and willingness to help locate rare and essential resources facilitated a thorough and comprehensive literature review. Additionally, the administrative and technical staff, who often go unmentioned, provided necessary support that greatly enhanced my research experience. Their dedication and hard work create an environment conducive to academic success.

Lastly, my peers’ encouragement and the intellectual environment at the university have been vital in completing my research.

Example #5: Reflective and philosophical

This acknowledgement reflects on the philosophical growth and personal insights gained through the support of mentors, peers, and family, framing the dissertation as a journey of intellectual discovery.

Completing this thesis has been not only an academic challenge but also a profound journey of personal and philosophical growth.

I am immensely grateful to my mentor, Professor Sarah Johnson, for encouraging me to explore complex ideas and to challenge conventional wisdom. Her guidance helped me navigate the philosophical underpinnings of my research and deepened my analytical skills. My fellow students in the Philosophy Department provided a supportive and intellectually stimulating community. Our discussions extended beyond the classroom, offering new insights and perspectives that were crucial to my thesis.

I am also deeply thankful for my family, whose intellectual curiosity and spirited philosophical debates at home sparked my interest in philosophy from a young age. Their continuous support and belief in my academic pursuits have been instrumental in my success.

This dissertation reflects not only my work but also the collective support of everyone who has touched my life academically and personally. The journey has taught me the value of questioning and the importance of diverse perspectives in enriching our understanding of complex philosophical issues.

FREE Acknowledgements Template

To help fast-track your writing process, we’ve created a free, fully editable template . This template covers all the necessary content for a generic thesis or dissertation acknowledgements section. If you’re interested, you can download a copy here .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

You Might Also Like:

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Thesis Writing and Filing

The following guidelines are only for master’s students. If you are pursuing a doctoral degree, please see the Dissertation Filing Guide .

Filing your master’s thesis at the Graduate Division is one of the final steps leading to the award of your graduate degree. Your manuscript is a scholarly presentation of the results of the research you conducted. UC Berkeley upholds the tradition that you have an obligation to make your research available to other scholars. This is done when the Graduate Division submits your manuscript to the University Library.

Your faculty committee supervises the intellectual content of your manuscript and your committee chair will guide you on the arrangement within the text and reference sections of your manuscript. Consult with your committee chair early in the preparation of your manuscript.

The specifications in the following pages were developed in consultation with University Library. These standards assure uniformity in the degree candidates’ manuscripts to be archived in the University Library, and ensure as well the widest possible dissemination of student-authored knowledge.

Research Protocols

Eligibility, fall and spring semesters, summer filing, formatting your manuscript, special page formats, organizing your manuscript, procedure for filing your thesis, permission to include previously published or co-authored material, inclusion of publishable papers or article-length essays, withholding your thesis, changes to a thesis after filing, diploma, transcript, and certificate of completion, certificate of completion, common mistakes, mixed media guidelines, definitions and standards, electronic formats and risk categories, frequently asked questions.

If your research activities involve human or animal subjects, you must follow the guidelines and obtain an approved protocol  before you begin your research.   Learn more on our website   or contact the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects ( http://cphs.berkeley.edu/  or 642-7461) or the Animal Care and Use Committee ( http://www.acuc.berkeley.edu/  or 642-8855).

In addition to the considerations explained below, your Expected Graduation Term (EGT) must match the term for which you intend to file. EGT can be updated at any time using an eForm available in CalCentral.

To be eligible to file for your degree, you must be registered or on approved Filing Fee status for the semester in which you file. We encourage you to file your thesis as early in the semester as you can and to come in person to our office to submit your supporting documents. If you cannot come to our office, it is helpful if you have a friend bring your documents. The deadline to file your thesis in its final form is the last day of the semester for your degree to be awarded as of that semester.

Filing during the summer has a slightly different set of eligibility requirements. If you were fully registered during the immediately preceding Spring semester, and have not used Filing Fee already, you may file your thesis during the summer with no additional cost or application required. This option is available for both Plan I master’s degree students filing a thesis and Plan II students completing a capstone. Summer is defined as the period from the day after the Spring semester ends (mid-May) until the last day of the Summer Sessions (mid-August).

International students completing degree in the Summer must consult Berkeley International Office before finalizing plans, as in some cases lack of Summer enrollment could impact visa status or post-completion employment.

If you have already used Filing Fee previously, or were not registered the preceding Spring semester, you will need to register in 1.0 unit in Summer Sessions in order to file.

Theses filed during the summer will result in a summer degree conferral.

You must be advanced to candidacy, and in good standing (not lapsed), in order to file.

All manuscripts must be submitted electronically in a traditional PDF format.

• Page Size : The standard for a document’s page size is 8.5 x 11 inches. If compelling reasons exist to use a larger page size, you must contact the Graduate Division for prior approval.
• Basic manuscript text must  be a non-italic type font and at a size of 12-point or larger. Whatever typeface and size you choose for the basic text, use it consistently throughout your entire manuscript. For footnotes, figures, captions, tables, charts, and graphs, a font size of 8-point or larger is to be used.
• You may include color in your thesis, but your basic manuscript text must be black.
• For quotations, words in a foreign language, occasional emphasis, book titles, captions, and footnotes, you may use italics. A font different from that used for your basic manuscript may be used for appendices, charts, drawings, graphs, and tables.
• Pagination:   Your manuscript is composed of preliminary pages and the main body of text and references. Page numbers must be positioned either in the upper right corner, lower right corner, or the bottom center and must be at least ¾ of an inch from the edges. The placement of the page numbers in your document must be consistent throughout.

Be Careful!   If you have any pages that are rotated to a landscape orientation, the page numbers still need to be in a consistent position throughout the document (as if it were printed and bound).

• Do not count or number the title page or the copyright page. All other pages must have numbers. DO NOT SKIP PAGE ” 1 “.
• The remaining preliminary pages may include a table of contents, a dedication, a list of figures, tables, symbols, illustrations, or photographs, a preface, your introduction, acknowledgments, and curriculum vitae. You must number these preliminary pages using   lower case Roman numerals  beginning with the number “i” and continue in sequence to the end of the preliminary pages (i, ii, iii, iv, v, etc.).
• An abstract is optional, but if you chose to include one, your abstract must have  Arabic numeral  page numbers. Start numbering your abstract with the number “1” and continue in sequence (1, 2, 3, etc.)
• The main body of your text and your references also use Arabic numerals. Start the numbering of the main body with the number “1” and continue in sequence (1, 2, 3, etc.), numbering consecutively throughout the rest of the text, including illustrative materials, bibliography, and appendices.

Yes! The first page of your abstract and the first page of your main text both start with ‘1’

• Margins:   For the manuscript material, including headers, footers, tables, illustrations, and photographs, all margins must be at least 1 inch from the edges of the paper. Page numbers must be ¾ of an inch from the edge.
• Spacing:  Your manuscript must be single-spaced throughout, including the abstract, dedication, acknowledgments, and introduction.
• Tables, charts, and graphs   may be presented horizontally or vertically and must fit within the required margins. Labels or symbols are preferred rather than colors for identifying lines on a graph.

You may choose to reduce the size of a page to fit within the required margins, but be sure that the resulting page is clear and legible.

• Guidelines for Mixed Media:   please see Appendix B for details.

Certain pages need to be formatted in a very specific way. Links are included here for examples of these pages.

Do not deviate from the wording and spacing in the examples, except for details applicable to you (e.g. name, major, committee, etc.)

• As noted in the above section on pagination, the abstract is optional but if included must be numbered  separately  with arabic numerals starting with ‘1’
• IMPORTANT: A physical signature page should no longer be included with your thesis. Approvals by your committee members will be provided electronically using an eForm.
• The title page does not contain page numbers.
• Do not bold any text on your title page.
• The yellow bubbles in the sample are included for explanatory purposes only. Do not include them in your submission.
• If you are receiving a joint degree, it must be listed on your title page ( Click here for sample with joint degree )

The proper organization and page order for your manuscript is as follows:

• Copyright page or a blank page
• Dedication page
• Table of contents
• List of figures, list of tables, list of symbols
• Preface or introduction
• Acknowledgements
• Curriculum Vitae
• References or Bibliography

After you have written your thesis, formatted it correctly, assembled the pages into the correct organization, and obtained verbal approval from all members of your committee, you are ready to file it with UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division.

Step 1:  Convert your thesis to a standard PDF file.

Step 2: Log into your CalCentral account. Under Student Resources in your Dashboard find Submit a Form and choose Final Signature Submission .

Step 3:  Complete the eForm in its entirety and hit submit once all  required documents are submitted:

• Attach the PDF of your thesis and
• Attach a copy of the approval letter for your study protocol from the Committee for Protection of Human Subjects, or the Animal Care and Use Committee if your research involved human or animal subjects. 

(Step 4): Congratulations you’re done! The traditional lollipop will be mailed to you following the end of the semester. Please be sure to update your mailing addresses (especially the diploma mailing address).

Important Notes: 

• DO NOT SUBMIT A DRAFT. Once your thesis has been submitted, you will not be allowed to make changes. Be sure that it is in its final form!
• Check your email regularly. Should revisions be necessary the eForm will be “recycled” to you and you will be notified via email. To resubmit your thesis, go back to Student Resources in your CalCentral account find Manage Your Forms and select Update Pending Forms . Here you can search for your submitted Final Signature form and make necessary updates and/or attach your revised thesis.
• After your thesis has been approved by Graduate Division, it will be routed to the listed committee members for electronic approval. Once all members have provided approval you will be notified.
• The review of your thesis may take up to four business days.

Important note for students in a Concurrent Degree Program (e.g. Landscape Architecture & City Planning):

• If you are filing a thesis to satisfy both master’s degrees, do not submit two eForms. Please select one plan only on the eForm and the Graduate Division will update your record accordingly.

If you plan use of your own previously published and/or co-authored material in your manuscript, your committee chair must attest that the resulting thesis represents an original contribution of ideas to the field, even if previously published co – authored articles are included, and that major contributors of those articles have been informed.

Previously published material must be incorporated into a larger argument that binds together the whole thesis. The common thread linking various parts of the research, represented by individual papers incorporated in the thesis, must be made explicit, and you must join the papers into a coherent unit. You are required to prepare introductory, transitional, and concluding sections. Previously published material must be acknowledged appropriately, as established for your discipline or as requested in the original publication agreement (e.g. through a note in acknowledgments, a footnote, or the like).

If co-authored material is to be incorporated (whether published or unpublished), all major contributors should be informed of the inclusion in addition to being appropriately credited in the thesis according to the norms of the field.

If you are incorporating co-authored material in your thesis, it is your responsibility to inform major contributors. This documentation need not be submitted to the Graduate Division. The eform used by your committee chair to sign off on your thesis will automatically include text indicating that by signing off they attest to the appropriateness and approval for inclusion of previously published and/or co-authored materials. No addition information or text needs to be added.

Publishable papers and article-length essays arising from your research project are acceptable only if you incorporate that text into a larger argument that binds together the whole dissertation or thesis. Include introductory, transitional, and concluding sections with the papers or essays.

Occasionally, there are unusual circumstances in which you prefer that your thesis not be published immediately.  Such circumstances may include the disclosure of patentable rights in the work before a patent can be granted, similar disclosures detrimental to the rights of the author, or disclosures of facts about persons or institutions before professional ethics would permit.

The Dean of the Graduate Division may permit the thesis to be held without shelving for a specified and limited period of time beyond the default, under substantiated circumstances of the kind indicated and with the endorsement of and an explanatory letter from the chair of the thesis committee.  If you need to request that your manuscript be withheld, please consult with the chair of your committee, and have him or her submit a letter requesting this well before you file for your degree. The memo should be addressed to the cognizant Associate Dean, in care of Graduate Services: Degrees, 318 Sproul Hall.

Changes are normally not allowed after a manuscript has been filed.  In exceptional circumstances, changes may be requested by having the chair of your thesis committee submit a memo to the cognizant Associate Dean, in care of Graduate Services: Degrees, 318 Sproul Hall.  The memo must describe in detail the specific changes requested and must justify the reason for the request.  If the request is approved, the changes must be made prior to the official awarding of the degree.  Once your degree has been awarded, you may not make changes to the manuscript.

After your thesis is accepted by Graduate Services: Degrees, it is held here until the official awarding of the degree by the Academic Senate has occurred.  This occurs approximately two months after the end of the term.  After the degree has officially been awarded, the manuscripts are shipped to the University Library.

Posting the Degree to Your Transcript

Your degree will be posted to your transcript approximately 3 months after the conferral date of your degree.  You can order a transcript from the Office of the Registrar (https://registrar.berkeley.edu/academic-records/transcripts-diplomas/).

Diploma Your diploma will be available from the Office of the Registrar approximately 4 months after the conferral date of your degree.  For more information on obtaining your diploma, visit the Registrar’s website .  You can obtain your diploma in person at the Office of the Registrar, 120 Sproul Hall, or submit a form to have it mailed to you. Unclaimed diplomas are retained for a period of five (5) years only, after which they are destroyed.

If you require evidence that you have completed your degree requirements prior to the degree being posted to your transcript, request a “ Certificate of Degree Completion “.

Please note that we will not issue a Certificate of Completion after the degree has been posted to your transcript.

• The most common mistake is following a fellow (or previous) student’s example. Read the current guidelines carefully!
• An incorrect committee — the committee listed on your title page must match your currently approved committee. If you have made any changes to your committee since Advancement to Candidacy, you must request an official change from the Graduate Division. Consult your departmental adviser for details.
• Do not use a different name than that which appears in the system (i.e. the name on your transcript and Cal Central Profile). Students are allowed to use a Lived Name, which can be updated by self-service in CalCentral.
• Page numbers — Read the section on pagination carefully. Many students do not paginate their document correctly.
• Page rotation — some pages may be rotated to a landscape orientation. However, page numbers must appear in the same place throughout the document (as if it were bound like a book).
• Do not include the signature/approval page in your electronic thesis. Signatures will be provided electronically using the eForm.
• Do not include previous degrees on your title page.

In May, 2005, the Graduate Council established new guidelines for the inclusion of mixed media content in theses.  It was considered crucial that the guidelines allow theses s to remain as accessible as possible and for the longest period possible while balancing the extraordinary academic potential of these new technologies.

The thesis has three components: a core thesis, essential supporting material, and non-essential supplementary material.

Core Thesis.   The core thesis must be a self-contained, narrative description of the argument, methods, and evidence used in the thesis project.  Despite the ability to present evidence more directly and with greater sophistication using mixed media, the core thesis must provide an accessible textual description of the whole project.

The core thesis must stand alone and be printable on paper, meeting the formatting requirements described in this document. The electronic version of the thesis must be provided in the most stable and universal format available—currently Portable Document Format (PDF) for textual materials. These files may also include embedded visual images in TIFF (.tif) or JPEG (.jpg) format.

Essential Supporting Material.   Essential supporting material is defined as mixed media content that cannot be integrated into the core thesis, i.e., material that cannot be adequately expressed as text.  Your faculty committee is responsible for deciding whether this material is essential to the thesis.  Essential supporting material does  not  include the actual project data.  Supporting material is essential if it is necessary for the actual argument of the thesis, and cannot be integrated into a traditional textual narrative.

Essential supporting material  must  be submitted in the most stable and least risky format consistent with its representation (see below), so as to allow the widest accessibility and greatest chance of preservation into the future.

Non-essential Supplementary Material.   Supplementary material includes any supporting content that is useful for understanding the thesis, but is not essential to the argument. This might include, for example, electronic files of the works analyzed in the thesis (films, musical works, etc.) or additional support for the argument (simulations, samples of experimental situations, etc.).

Supplementary material is to be submitted in the most stable and most accessible format, depending on the relative importance of the material (see below). Clearly label the CD, DVD, audiotape, or videotape with your name, major, thesis title, and information on the contents. Only one copy is required to be filed with your thesis.  A second copy should be left with your department.

Note . ProQuest and the Library will require any necessary 3rd party software licenses and reprint permission letters for any copyrighted materials included in these electronic files.

The following is a list of file formats in descending order of stability and accessibility. This list is provisional, and will be updated as technologies change. Faculty and students should refer to the Graduate Division website for current information on formats and risk categories.

Category A:

• TIFF (.tif) image files
• WAV (.wav) audio files

Category B:

• JPEG, JPEG 2000 (.jpg) image files
• GIF (.gif) image files

Category C:

• device independent audio files (e.g., AIFF, MIDI, SND, MP3, WMA, QTA)
• note-based digital music composition files (e.g., XMA, SMF, RMID)

Category D:

• other device independent video formats (e.g., QuickTime, AVI, WMV)
• encoded animations (e.g., FLA or SWF Macromedia Flash, SVG)

For detailed guidelines on the use of these media, please refer to the Library of Congress website for digital formats at  http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/index.shtml .

Q1: Can I file my thesis during the summer?

A1: Yes. There are 2 ways to file during the summer:

1)     If you have never used Filing Fee before AND you were registered during the immediately preceding spring semester, you can file your thesis during the summer with no further application or payment required. Simply submit your thesis as usual and the Graduate Division staff will confirm your eligibility. If you are an international student, you must consult the Berkeley International Office for guidance as this option may have visa implications for you.

2)     If you weren’t registered in spring, you can register for at least 1.0 unit through Berkeley Summer Sessions.

Q2: If I chose that option, does it matter which session I register in during the summer session?

A2: No. You can register for any of the sessions (at least 1.0 unit). The deadline will always be the last day of the last session.

Q3: If I file during the summer, will I receive a summer degree?

A3: Yes. If you file before the last day of summer session, you will receive an August degree. If you file during the summer, remember to write “Summer” on your title page!

Q1: I’ve seen other theses from former students that were / that had  __________, should I follow that format?

A1: No. The formatting guidelines can be changed from time to time, so you should always consult the most current guidelines available on our website.

Q2: I want to make sure that my thesis follows the formatting rules. What’s the best way to do this?

A2: If you’ve read and followed the current guidelines available on our website, there shouldn’t be any problems. You are also always welcome to bring sample pages into the Graduate Degrees Office at 318 Sproul Hall to have a staff member look over your manuscript.

Q3:  Does my signature page need to be printed on some special paper?

A3: Signatures are now an eForm process. A physical signature page is no longer required.

Q1: I’m away from Berkeley. Is there any way to file my thesis remotely?

A1: Yes! The whole process is done remotely.

Q2: Can I have a friend file my thesis for me?

A2: No. You will need to CalNet authenticate in order to file.

Q3: What’s a Receipt of Filing? Do I need one?

A3: The Receipt of Filing is an official document that we produce that certifies that you have successfully filed your thesis on the specified day and that, if all other requirements are met, the date of the degree conferral.

Some students may need the receipt in order to prove to an outside agency that they have officially filed their thesis. Many students simply keep the receipt as a memento. Picking up your receipt is not required.

Q4: What’s the difference between a Receipt of Filing and a Certificate of Completion?

A4: A Receipt of Filing is automatically produced for all students upon successful filing of their thesis. However, it only certifies that the thesis has been accepted. The Certificate of Degree Completion  must be requested. It will state that all requirements  have   been met and notes the date that the degree will be conferred. This is a useful document for students who file early in the semester and need some verification of their degree in advance of its conferral (note: degrees are only conferred twice each year).

Q5: How to I know if I’m eligible for a Certificate of Completion?

A5: In order to be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion, you must:

1) Successfully file your thesis

2) Have a completed (satisfied) Academic Progress Report. Your department can assist you with this if you have questions.

3) Pay all of your registration fees. If you have a balance on your account, we may be unable to provide a Certificate of Completion.

Q6: I’m supposed to submit my approval letter for research with human subjects or vertebrate animals, but it turns out my research didn’t use this after all. What should I do?

A6: If you’re research protocol has changed since you advanced to candidacy for your degree, you’ll need to ask you thesis chair to write a letter to the Graduate Division explaining the change. It would be best to submit this in advance of filing.

Q7: My thesis uses copyrighted or previously published material. How to I get approval?

A7: The policy on this has recently changed. There is no need to for specific approval to be requested.

Q9: I found a typo in my thesis that has already been accepted! What do I do?

A9: Once a thesis has been submitted and accepted, no further changes will be permitted. Proofread your document carefully. Do not submit a draft. In extreme circumstances, your thesis chair may write a letter to the Graduate Division requesting additional changes to be made.

Q10: Oh no! A serious emergency has caused me to miss the filing deadline! What do I do? Are extensions ever granted?

A10: In general, no. In exceptional circumstances, the Head Graduate Advisor for your program may write to the Graduate Division requesting an extension. Requests of this type are considered on a case by case basis and, if granted, may allow you to file after the deadline. However, even if such an exception is granted you will receive the degree for the subsequent term. Your first step is to consult with your department if an emergency arises.

Ohio State nav bar

Ohio state navigation bar.

• BuckeyeLink
• Search Ohio State

Steps for Completing a Thesis

The process of developing and completing a thesis project may seem a bit daunting at first, so we’ve put together the following steps to help make this process manageable..

Ideally, you start this process in the term before your final year—for instance, if you plan to graduate in a spring term, you would start in previous spring term. That timeline gives you ample opportunity to find a faculty advisor, determine the range of your project, conduct research and write the thesis. Of course, some students work on a slightly different timeline, and if you have questions, please get in touch with your advisor. 

Suggested (but not required) timeline: Three semesters before you intend to graduate

Deciding the exact topic and scope of your thesis is often an ongoing process, but it is important to start with a particular vision for what you’d like to complete. It is equally important to find a faculty member to serve as your thesis advisor. Your faculty advisor will guide you through the thesis process and help you determine the focus and scope of your project.

Thesis projects frequently grow out of a paper or project that a student completed as part of an undergraduate course in English. For instance, you might decide to expand the original paper/project from a course that you’ve taken with your faculty advisor. Then, what started out as a 10-page research paper with five sources may evolve into a 50-page thesis that responds to and builds upon the work of some 20 scholars and critics. Your thesis advisor will help you determine what is appropriate for your particular project. 

Most students work with faculty members with whom they have taken classes and on topics that are in the faculty member’s area of interest. It is extremely rare for a student to have a thesis advisor with whom they have never taken a class or did not know prior to embarking on the project.

To inquire about a faculty member’s interest in directing your thesis, you might attend their office hours to speak about the proposed project or email them about the project. If you email them, you should remind them of the class(es) you took with them, describe the project that you’d like to undertake and offer to meet with them to discuss further, if the faculty member would like to do so. Please be aware that faculty members may be unavailable to direct theses for a wide variety of professional and personal reasons.

Suggested (but not required) timeline: Two semesters before you intend to graduate

Once you have a faculty advisor and a project idea, you should complete a thesis application. This application includes a summary of the proposed thesis project, your thesis advisor’s signature and the Undergraduate Program Manager’s signature.

The application must be submitted to the appropriate College of Arts and Sciences office no later than one term prior to the student's graduation term ; however, it is strongly recommended that students complete and submit the thesis application before they begin their thesis coursework.

Students who are not in Arts and Sciences Honors should see the “ Research Distinction ” section of College of Arts and Sciences website for application instructions.

Students who are in Arts and Sciences Honors should see the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program website  for instructions.

Suggested (but not required) timeline: Enrolled in two credits per term for the semester prior to the one you intend to graduate and the semester that you intend to graduate

To graduate with research distinction, you must complete at least four credit hours of thesis coursework in English 4999 (or English 4999H for Arts & Sciences Honors students). Typically, students enroll in two credit hours in the autumn and in the spring of their senior year. Occasionally, other arrangements are made: For instance, some students enroll in thesis hours in the spring of their junior year and through senior year, or they may enroll for thesis hours over the summer, or they might complete all of the credit hours in a single term (this final scenario is not advised).

To enroll in thesis coursework, email the Undergraduate Program Manager Elizabeth Falter  (.44), cc-ing your faculty advisor, prior to the first day of the term.

Suggested (but not required) timeline: Two semesters (the one prior to the one you intend to graduate and the semester that you intend to graduate)

Most students work on their thesis over the course of an academic year. How that work develops very much depends on the exact project, and your faculty advisor will help you create a plan. Research projects involve identifying, (re)reading and analyzing primary texts, as well as collecting and considering scholarly work, theoretical concepts and/or archival material—plus, of course, writing and revising the thesis itself. Creative writing projects involve meticulous drafts and revisions of the manuscript.

Required timeline: The defense must be completed and the accompanying paperwork signed and turned into the appropriate College of Arts and Sciences office before 5:00pm on the last day of classes of your graduation term.

All students must participate in a one-hour defense of their thesis project after it is complete. The defense is run by your faculty advisor and is attended by a second English department faculty reader. Arts and Sciences Honors students must have a third faculty reader from another department. Your faculty advisor will help with identifying and asking these faculty members.

“Defense” is the traditional name, but a thesis defense is more of a discussion. Your faculty advisor and reader(s) will have read the thesis prior to the defense, and in the defense, they will ask you questions about your work and offer comments. The discussion often covers topics such as why you undertook this project, your process, the thesis content, potential areas for improvement and avenues for further exploration. If you have questions about the structure of your particular thesis defense, consult with your faculty advisor—they will make sure you know what to expect and that you are prepared for it.

After this discussion, the faculty members will confer to discuss the merits of the project and if they would like any revisions to be made. We strongly encourage you to upload a copy of your thesis to the university’s Knowledge Bank.

For Reference

Forthcoming..

Thesis Completion Quotes & Sayings

Graduate College

Formatting your thesis, thesis templates and support.

As you prepare your thesis for deposit, please contact our office with any questions you might have.  We can answer questions related to formatting requirements, help you assemble your manuscript, and provide technical assistance with thesis submission.  We will also provide a pre-deposit check of your thesis.  Contact Erin Kaufman ([email protected]) for more information.

Our preliminary page templates help ensure your preliminary pages are formatted correctly and include accurate information.  There is a version for PC users and a version for Mac users .  If you want your 1) chapters and subheadings automatically numbered and / or 2) table and figure captions to include the number of the chapter in which they appear, use this template .  This template relies on a multi-level list to generate automatic numbering, and it can be difficult to navigate if you are new to using Microsoft Word to format large documents.

For suggestions on how to reduce thesis file size, download our Ways to Reduce File Size handout.

For general formatting support, download the Manuscript Construction Guidelines for PC or the Manuscript Construction Guidelines for MAC .  Understanding how to use a number of basic Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat tools will greatly simplify the formatting and completion of your thesis.  All topics are essential to the proper construction of your thesis or dissertation. 

Required and Optional Elements

Formatting requirements, page numbers.

• Preliminary page numbers begin with a lower-case Roman numeral ii on the first page following the Title Page, or the Copyright Page should you choose to include one.  Center these page numbers in the footer, 1/2 to 1 inch above the bottom of the page.
• Manuscript text page numbers must be in Arabic with a 1 on the first page of your first chapter. They may be located in the upper or lower right-hand corner or the bottom center of the page and must be consistent throughout the manuscript.
• List your degree as it appears on MyUI.  If you have an official sub-track, you may include it in parentheses after your degree.
• List the correct month and year of your graduation.
• List the names of your committee members.  Your thesis supervisor should be listed first, followed by a comma and the phrase “Thesis Supervisor.”
• There is no page number on the Title Page.

Copyright Page

• The copyright date is the year of graduation.
• There is no page number on the Copyright Page.
• Text should be single-spaced and centered on the page, both horizontally and vertically.
• This page requires a lower-case Roman numeral page number, at the bottom center of the page.

Acknowledgements

• Text should be top-aligned, double-spaced, and with each paragraph indented.

An External Abstract is no longer required.

• A Scholarly Abstract (“Abstract”) is required for PhD and Master’s students, but not for DMA or MFA students.
• A Public Abstract (“Public Abstract”) is required for all students.
• These pages require lower-case Roman numeral page numbers, at the bottom center of the page.

Table of Contents

• All major headings from the manuscript must be included.  Entries should be consistently spaced.
• Entries here must match corresponding titles in the text, but should not carry over boldface, italics, or underlining from the text.
• Do not include entries for the preliminary pages that come before the Table of Contents.
• Do not include an entry for the Table of Contents in the Table of Contents.
• Include the List of Tables and List of Figures, if the thesis contains them.  Page numbering for these entries should be lower-case Roman numerals.
• Entries should not run into the page number column.
• Page numbers should be vertically aligned by the rightmost digit.

List of Tables / List of Figures

• Entries should be single-spaced, with a double space between them.
• Captions listed must match corresponding captions in the text, but should not carry over boldface, italics, or underlining from the text.
• The List(s) require a lower-case Roman numeral page number, at the bottom center of the page.
• Treat Appendix headings (Appendix A, B, etc.) as major headings and include them in the Table of Contents.
• If more than one Appendix is included, identify them as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on. Lettering is unnecessary when there is only one Appendix.
• Major headings should be consistently formatted in a professional manner.
• Spacing around major headings should be consistent throughout the entire manuscript.
• Different order subheadings should each have a distinct style.
• Spacing around subheadings should be consistent.
• Headings may not be placed at the bottom of the page without at least two lines of text beneath them.

Tables and Figures

• Brief descriptive titles for tables and figures must be included in the List of Figures / List of Tables (if included).
• Tables and figures may be located above, below, or adjacent to the manuscript text.
• Gaps around tables and figures are allowed if the table or figure is larger than half a page.
• Table captions must not extend beyond the width of the table(s) being described.
• Spacing between a caption and its corresponding table / figure should be consistent.
• Tables / figures that appear in an Appendix must have their own numbering system (A.1, A.2, etc.).
• If a table or figure continues to one or more following pages, the number with a “continued” notation (e.g. Table 3—continued) is placed on each page after the first.  The descriptive title is not repeated in part or full on continuation pages. A separation line is not required.

References / Bibliography

• The References heading should be treated as a major heading and included in the Table of Contents.
• References should be single-spaced, and indenting conventions should be consistent.
• There may be a single- or double-space between entries.
• References may be placed at the end of each chapter or at the end of the manuscript.
• Entries should not break across a page.

Margins 

• Margins must be a minimum of 1 inch on all sides and on all pages, including the Preliminary Pages.
• Margins should be consistent throughout the entire text.

Line Spacing

• Line spacing may be either 1.5 or double-spaced. Line spacing should be consistent throughout.
• Use 10–12-point font for the body of the manuscript.  Font smaller than 8-point is not allowed.
• You may use 12-point font for major headings.  Font larger than this may be used sparingly, if at all.
• A range of font styles is acceptable, but font styles and sizes should be professional in appearance.

• KU Libraries
• Subject & Course Guides
• KU Thesis and Dissertation Formatting

Copyright and ETD Release Form

Ku thesis and dissertation formatting: copyright and etd release form.

• Formatting Specifics
• Title and Acceptance Pages
• Fonts and Spacing
• Page Numbering
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• Rotating Charts or Tables
• Working with Footnotes
• Converting to PDF
• Embedding Fonts
• Completed KU Dissertations & Theses
• About: Survey of Earned Doctorates
• Resources for KUMC Students
• Thesis/Dissertation Filenames
• LaTeX/BibTeX Support

One of the graduation requirements at KU is to complete the Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Release Form .  On that form, you certify that your work does not infringe upon copyrights owned by someone else by checking all of the boxes that apply:

KU Libraries can help students navigate this final stage of the thesis or dissertation process. We offer online resources, individual consultations, and workshop presentations.

A good place to learn more about Fair Use and how to copyrighted materials is our Copyright LibGuide. Clicking on the link below will open the KU Libraries' Copyright LibGuide in this window. Click the back arrow to return to the ETD LibGuide.

copyright.ku.edu

Embargoes of Theses and Dissertations

One of the decisions that the author of a thesis or dissertation must make as they prepare to graduate is whether to delay the release of the thesis or dissertation for a period of time after graduation.  This decision is often a balance between the need to make the work as visible as possible , and the desire to protect the work because the author wants to publish that research in journal articles or books, because of pending patents, or because the research is sensitive.

If an embargo is needed, KU's Embargo Policy for Theses and Dissertations spells out the circumstances under which an embargo may be requested and the process for doing so.

• First, the student must submit the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Release Form to the school/College office. Embargo requests need to be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in the author's department, the Department Chair, or the Committee Chair.  If an embargo is approved, this form will ensure that the thesis or dissertation file is protected from public view.  Keep in mind that the title, abstract, and keywords entered during the ProQuest submission will be visible, even if the file is protected.
• Second, during the online submission process to ProQuest/UMI , in the Publishing Options section, the student must select I want my work to be available in ProQuest as soon as it is published > No, I have patents pending, or another reason why I need to delay access to the full text of my work , then select the embargo term.  If an embargo has been approved, this step will ensure that public view of the work is temporarily restricted in the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.

Embargoes may be renewed before the expiration date by filling out the Embargo Renewal form for the KU ScholarWorks copy AND , for the ProQuest copy, by contacting ProQuest at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-521-0600 at least one month before the embargo expires .

Additional Information

• Copyright Resources: Copyright for Dissertations and Theses This LibGuide provides FAQ about the copyright status of dissertations and theses
• << Previous: About: Survey of Earned Doctorates
• Next: Resources for KUMC Students >>
• Last Updated: May 9, 2024 9:48 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.ku.edu/etd

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of Linguistics

• Financial Aid
• Undergraduate Admission
• Career Paths
• Visiting Scholar Program
• Graduate Admission
• Department Spotlights
• Undergraduate Program
• Graduate Program
• Course Listing
• Online Courses
• English Placement Test
• Less Commonly Taught Languages
• Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language
• English as a Second Language
• Summer Institutes
• Publications Spotlight
• Conferences
• Upcoming Student Presentations
• Studies in the Linguistics Sciences
• Laboratories and Research Groups
• Reading and Discussion Groups
• Department Seminars
• PhD Dissertations
• MATESL Theses
• English Placement Test (EPT)
• Oral English Assessment Interview (OEAI)
• Department News
• Academic Journals
• Libraries and Reading Rooms
• Professional Organizations
• Related Units
• Linguistics Student Organizations
• New Student and Faculty Resources
• Leveraging your Linguistics training
• Wellness Resources
• Faculty and Staff Resources
• Administration & Staff
• Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Students
• About the Department
• In Memoriam
• Diversity & Inclusivity
• Stay Connected
• Illinois Alumni Association
• Alumni Spotlights
• Giving Opportunities
• Alumni Newsletter

Congratulations to 2024 Award Winners and Graduates!

On Wednesday May 1st, our department gathered for its annual Year-End Graduation and Awards Celebration.

It was a wonderful time to reflect on the past year, and to recognize our amazing students. Congratulations to our awardees! We wish you continued growth and success!

Prestigious Non- Departmental Awards

Graduate College dissertation completion fellowship (23-24 AY):  Aylin Coşkun Kunduz SLCL dissertation completion fellowship (24-25 AY):  Mai Mohamed Eida Graduate College master's travel grant (Fall 2023):   Sibel Arikoglu Harry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholar Award (23-24 AY, Summer 2024) and Black Metropolis Research Consortium Summer Short-Term Fellowship (Summer 2023)  Britni Moore

FLAS fellowships: • Brennan Dell (2024-2025 AY) • Paul de Nijs (2024-2025 AY) • Cory Lemke (Summer 2024, 2024-2025 AY)

CEAPS Graduate Student conference travel grant (Spring 2024) • Aylin Coşkun Kunduz • Yulin Pan

Linguistic Society of America COGEL Travel Award • Allison Casar

Departmental Awards: MATESL

Peter Strevens Award for Academic Excellence (MATESL)

Sibel Arikoglu

Yu-Wen Lien

Mary A. Hussey Award for Excellence in ESL Teaching (MATESL)

Hilal Karakorkmaz

Katherine O. Aston Award for Outstanding Masters Thesis (MATESL)

Rosana Gomez-Cayapu

C.C. Seetoo Award for Innovation in TESL Research and Practice (MATESL)

Uliana Ovsiannikova

Ogulcan Durmaz

Departmental Awards: Linguistics and Less Commonly Taught Languages

Henry R. Kahane Award for Outstanding TA in Non-Western Languages

Dorothy Maweu

Silver Jubilee Award for Outstanding TA in Linguistics

Allison Casar

Joshua Dees

C.W. Kim Research Award in Linguistics

Huiying Cai

Mingyue Huo

Britni Moore

Eyamba G. Bokamba Graduate Scholarship Award

Linguistics Student Leadership Award

Mingyue Huo  (ILLS)

Katherine Kwak  (ILLS)

Amelia Tighe  (LSO)

Sid Bhushan  (LOL)

Joshua Dees  (Overall leadership)

Outstanding Undergraduates in Linguistics Award

Sid Bhushan  (CS+LING)

Nadia Pinto  (LING)

LSO Community Leader Award

LSO Linguistics Ambassador Award

Paul de Nijs

LSO Professional Development Award

Aylin Coskun Kunduz

BA in Linguistics

Dalton Ascone Jack Bartscher Hailee Bosek Jerry Chen Julia Di Marco Brianna Eckart Lauryn Henry Kelsey Jackson Jae Knecht Beth Kokal Tommy Lee Shenshen Lyu Eric Mattson Ren Nielsen Nadia Pinto Jayci Reese Bryan Retallick Natalie Salazar Anna Selleck Francesco Vial Seth Wickens- Walther

BS in Computer Science and Linguistics

Faraaz Baig Daniel Bargon Dhruv Baronia Eesha Barua Sid Bhushan Mohit Chhaya Willie Cui Meghna Gaddam Neha Gogate Riya Gupta Owen Hayes Anish Jampana Nikhil Kapse Jackson Kennel Aditi Khanna Natasha Kozintseva Sana Madhavan Sirya Mikkilineni Stephanie Patterson Hao Qi Aleena Rehman Aishani Sahoo Varun Sarabudla Rishi Sekhar Dhruv Sundararaman Shiv Trivedi John Warzecha

BS of Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language

Jackie Becerra

Caleigh Kupferschmid

MA in Teaching English as a Second Language

Rosana Gomez Coyapu (December 2023)

Dorothy Maweu (May 2024)

Sibel Arikoglu (August 2024)

Ogulcan Durmaz (August 2024)

Hilal Karakorkma (August 2024)

Suhyeon Lee (August 2024)

Yu-Wen Lien (August 2024)

Madison McCann (August 2024)

Uliana Ovsiannikova (August 2024)

Jess Streepy (August 2024)

MA in Linguistics

Yulin Pan Paul De Nijs Majda Layek Isela Silvera

PhD in Linguistics

August 2023: Wafa Al-Alawi

Marco Silva Fonseca

December 2023: Omid Abdar

Sarah Clark

Gorrety Wawire

May 2024: Patrick Drackley

Giang Le  

August 2024: Ping-Lin Chuang

Farewell: 

We would like to give our best wishes to two faculty members who have been a part of our department for many years.  Special thanks to  Hugh Bishop (Visiting asst prof, lecturer, (MAT)ESL, 2005-2024)  and Chilin Shih (Professor, EALC and Linguistics, 2003- 2024) for everything that they have done for our department!

Congratulations to all award winners and graduates! We wish you all the best!