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Theses 

Graduate Theses 


The Library Depository

The Brooklyn Campus Library acts as a depository of theses, the final academic project required for graduation from most of Pratt's graduate programs. The Library requires the following:

  • Theses must be printed on 8½"x11" watermarked, acid-free, minimum 20-lb. weight white paper for preservation purposes

  • Each page have a left-hand margin of 1.5 inches to allow for binding

  • The title and signature pages follow a standard format (samples are available at the Reference Desk)

  • The Library's copy bear the original signatures of your advisor, department chair, and dean

  • The School of Architecture only requires the advisor's signature.

  • A binding fee of $60.00 be paid on submission; this pays for two copies (you keep one copy). You will be given a slip to take to the Pratt Bursar, where you pay the $60.00 fee. The Bursar will give you a receipt to bring to the library to submit your thesis. At the time of thesis submission, a forwarding address will be recorded so the library can mail you your copy of the binded thesis.

  • All visuals and supplementary information must be identified and presented as specified below

Theses Guidelines
2008-2009

point  Registrar's Deadlines

point  Type of Paper

point  Page Set-Up

point  Page Numbers

point  Page Assembly

point  Multi-Media

point  Binding

point  Support

point  Bibliographic Style

point  Thesis Title and Signature Page Samples

 

 

 

 

Registrar's Deadlines

Note: The date that appears on the thesis title page is the month and year of graduation, not the date of completion.

  • September 15 for October graduates (Summer semester)

  • January 15 for February graduates (Fall semester)

  • May 14 for May graduates (Spring semester)

Type of Paper

  • Watermarked, acid-free, minimum 20-lb. weight. If printing color images, the Libraries recomment 24-lb. weight paper, such as Crane's Thesis Paper.

  • White color

  • 8½" x 11"

  • Ordinary paper, such as that used in the computer labs, is unacceptable because it deteriorates quickly.

  • Appended images may be printed on the paper of your choice and must adhere to the required margins.

Page Set-Up, Spacing & Margins

  • Print using a "portrait" orientation

  • Double-space the text

  • Print on one side of the page only

  • Left hand side margin must be 1.5" (Any manuscript that does not meet this standard will be returned for correction.)

  • A 1" margin is suggested for top, bottom and right sides. A margin of 2" or more at the top of chapters or sections is acceptable.

Page Numbers

Page numbers should be placed in either the top right or bottom right corners. Page numbers need not fit within the margins.

Page Assembly

  • Title page

  • Signatures page

  • Acknowlegements (optional)

  • Table of contents

  • List of illustrations (optional)

  • Text of the thesis

  • Bibliography
  • Appendices (Optional)

  • List of works exhibted

  • Multimedia (slides, CD-ROM, VHS, etc.)

Presentation of Multi-Media

On submission of the completed thesis, you should:

  • Label videotapes, CD-ROM discs and cases, etc. with your name, platform and software applications.

  • Submit CD-ROMS/DVDs in a plastic jewel case

  • Number slides individually and label each one with your first initial and family name

  • Submit videotapes in an archival quality box or sleeve

  • Place slides in a soft Mylar slide sheet of archival quality, leaving the first column and top row empty (see diagram below)

        diagram

  • Provide an exhibition checklist and title it "List of Works Exhibited" that corrsponds to the image numbers and identifying information.

Binding

  • Library copy: Please submit one complete, signed copy to the library unbound (boxed or in an envelope). The Library uses an outside vendor for standardized binding.

  • Department Copies: Departments differ in the number of copies and type of binding required. Consult your advisor or department secretary.

Support

The primary source of guidance in terms of content, organization, documentation and format is your thesis advisor. The Library is also here to help you. We can advise you on research strategies, techniques and sources. We will help you locate materials and arrange access to them. For general assistance please contact the Library reference desk at (718) 636-3704 or email libref@pratt.edu . For research or citation based questions you should contact one of the faculty librarians listed below.

In addition, the Writing and Tutorial Center, located on the first floor of North Hall, offers one-to-one editorial help. Call (718) 636-3459 for an appointment, or just stop by during scheduled hours.

Bibliographic Style

Style manuals are how-to books giving practical information and examples on preparing your manuscript. They vary in the methods used to cite sources - from parenthetical references to footnotes to endnotes.

Your department and/or thesis advisor will suggest the style manual that is most appropriate to your discipline. Several manuals are available in the reference section of the library:

  • Barnet, Sylvia. A Short Guide to Writing About Art, 6th edition, 2000.
    Call number: 808.0667 B261S
  • The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed.
    The most detailed; widely used for scholarly publication.
    Call number: 808.02 C232M14
  • Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, 6th ed.
    A simplified adaptation of Chicago, geared to graduate students.
    Call number: 808.02 T93M6
  • MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 2nd ed.
    For graduate students and scholarly and professional writers.
    See http://www.mla.org for more details about MLA Style
    Call number: 808.02 G437ML
  • The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed.
    Intended for undergraduate writers but often used by graduate students and other writers.
    See http://www.mla.org for more details about MLA Style
    Call number: 808.02 G437M5
  • Click here to download a document with MLA Samples
  • Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association, 5th ed.
    Style manual widely used in the Social Sciences. Appendix A discusses theses.
    Call number: 808.02 P976A5
  • Art Bulletin Style Guide
    Available online at http://www.collegeart.org/caa/publications/AB/ABStyleGuide.html

© 2004 Pratt Institute Libraries

Last Updated: May 12, 2008 (sk)

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