NSCAD Thesis Guide

All thesis submissions require two PDF documents:

1. a final version of your thesis, and
2. a signed Non-exclusive Licence

If your thesis includes additional materials, they must be submitted as well. Such as:

• Thesis web site
• Accompanying materials, such as audio visual materials, still photographs, exhibition catalogue, datasets

1. Thesis File
   • After your defence and all revisions have been made, the committee will sign off on your thesis. Then, convert the entire final thesis into PDF format.
   • Rename your file as follows: NSCAD_Degree_Year_LastNameFirstName_Thesis.pdf
     • i.e. Master of Arts in Art Education: NSCAD_MAAEd_2022_DoesJohn_Thesis.pdf
     • Masters of Design: NSCAD_MDes_2022_DoesJane_Thesis.pdf
     • Master of Fine: NSCAD_MFA_2022_DoesJane_Thesis.pdf
2. NSCAD Library Thesis Non-Exclusive Licence Agreement
   • Fill out the form using Adobe Acrobat or Adobe's Fill & Sign mobile app and e-sign it
     • To sign the document, you will be required to create an electronic signature
   • Rename your file as follows: NSCAD_Degree_Year_LastNameFirstName_Licence.pdf
     • i.e. Master of Arts in Art Education: NSCAD_MAAEd_2022_DoesJohn_Licence.pdf
     • Masters of Design: NSCAD_MDes_2022_DoesJane_Licence.pdf
     • Master of Fine: NSCAD_MFA_2022_DoesJane_Licence.pdf
   • A non-exclusive licence grants NSCAD Library the right to publish your thesis online. This licence does not affect the ownership of copyright — you maintain whatever rights you have in your thesis. In addition, the licence does not contain a waiver of your moral rights to your thesis.
3. Thesis Web Site
   • Submit URL of your thesis web site
   • The library will record the site using webrecorder for preservation
4. Accompanying Materials
   • Preferred file format PDF e-portfolios
   • Files must be submitted in generic file formats
     • No proprietary file formats, such as Adobe Photoshop, Indesign etc. 
     • For more information about acceptable file formats, please contact the Library
   • Rename your file as follows: NSCAD_Degree_Year_LastNameFirstName_Thesis_FileDescription.extension
     • i.e. NSCAD_MAAEd_2022_DoesJohn_Thesis_MovingImages.mpeg
     • NSCAD_MFA_2022_DoesJane_Thesis_ExhibitionCatalogue.pdf 
     • NSCAD_MDes_2022_DoesJane_Thesis_StillImages.zip

1. Name First and Last* Required field
2. Full Name for Publication (if different)
   • Optional field
   • Include your name as you would like it to appear on the NSCAD Institutional Repository, if different from First Name Last Name
   • Including middle name(s) or initial(s)
     • i.e. Rebecca Jane Young
     • Katie A Puxley
     • Detta Morrison-Phillips
3. NSCAD ID Number* Required field
   • Used only by the Library internally
4. Date of Birth
   • It is optional to supply your date of birth. If you choose to do so, this information will be included in the bibliographic record for your thesis.
5. Personal Email* Required field
   • internal use only
6. NSCAD Email* Required field
   • Internal use only
7. Phone* Required field
   • Internal use only
8. Thesis Title: Subtitle* Required field
   • Please include the full title with the subtitle
   • Note that all formatting will be lost - italicized text, strikethrough etc.
   • If your thesis title has specific formatting, please contact the Librarian after submission
9. Degree Program* Required field
10. Degree Discipline/Specialty (If applicable)
    • Specialty within your Program
      • i.e. Craft, Photography, Media Arts
11. Year of Graduation* Required field
12. Thesis Advisor* Required field
13. Committee Members* Required field
    • Include all committee members
    • Separate names with commas
14. Abstract* Required field
    • Short summary of your thesis, its content, conclusions and methodology
    • Recommended length 150 words.
15. Author-Supplied Keywords* Required field
    • Please add 6-10 keywords and terms describing the topic, methodology used, period, or geographic location, etc.

Please contact
Katie Puxley, Systems Librarian
kpuxley@nscad.ca

For assistance with any part of the thesis submission process, to correct any thesis information, or to submit an updated version of a thesis document.