Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, master’s theses will not be edited in spring and summer 2020. Master’s theses are still subject to the final format check.

The editing of any doctoral dissertations not already submitted will likely be undertaken by a new, incoming editor.

Except as noted below, the work of degree candidates is edited on a first come, first serve basis.

Current Queue

NOTE: If the anticipated completion date of a doctoral dissertation overlaps the peak season when the editing of master's theses is prioritized, it will only be edited if and when there are no master's theses in the queue. Actual completion dates for such dissertations may be mid- to late summer.

General Prioritization of Editing

The rules governing the prioritization of editing for degree candidates are a decision of the faculty body, and the editor has no discretion about the order or timing of editing.

• There is no guarantee that editing will be completed in time for the graduation deadline of a particular term. This is contingent on the backlog of work in the editing queue.
• Extenuating circumstances must be addressed to the Director of the Institute. Changes to the order of editing work can only made by a decision of the faculty as a whole or by the mutual agreement of all academic advisors affected.
• If a degree candidate does not provide advanced notification of their intent to submit at the beginning of the semester and if there is a backlog of editing work, the faculty body may use their discretion to assign the editing of that candidate's work a lower priority.

Peak Season Priority

The period from April through June is set aside for master’s theses, during which the order of the queue is determined as follows:

• Master’s theses submitted by the Spring deadline take priority over doctoral dissertations and will be edited in the order received.
• Master’s theses submitted late are NOT prioritized and will be edited in the order received after any doctoral dissertations already in the queue. Completion before the end of the term is not guaranteed.
• Doctoral candidates are discouraged from submitting dissertations during or immediately before this period. Dissertations submitted at this time will be edited only after the editing of master’s theses is complete.

When Can I Schedule My Defense?

It is the policy of the Institute that doctoral candidates should not make specific plans regarding the scheduling of their defense until the editing of their manuscript has been completed.

To estimate the timing of a defense, divide the number of words in the manuscript by 6 thousand to arrive at the approximate number of working days (i.e. weekdays) the editing may take. A couple weeks may be needed to make revisions before distributing the text. Committee members will need one week ― ten (10) days for doctoral dissertations ― to review the work. Generally this means a defense date can be no earlier than three (3) to four (4) weeks after the editing is completed.

Further Information

If you have any questions not addressed by the FAQ, you may contact the editor.

Edited Work: Autumn 2015–Present