Ed.D. Library Resources: HCU Dissertation Submission Process

Author copies may be purchased online at any time, as long as the title has already been published. We can provide a direct link to order author copies at a discount. Or, authors may use this link to access author discount pricing and formats online, and place orders: https://www.proquest.com/products-services/dissertations/Milestone-Editions-for-Authors.html.

We are unable to use the ETD submission site after documents have been sent to ProQuest for publishing.

Submission

1. Students get final approval from their Chair that all edits have been made and the last submission on Turn-It-In is completed.
2. Please double-check your work to be sure that confidential information remains confidential. For example, naming which ISD helped with statistics gathering may be confidential.
3. Students must add a separate signature page to dissertations that list professors on their doctoral committee.
   * The signed signature page will go into the student's record while the unsigned signature page that is on the PDF will be uploaded on ProQuest.
4. After the signatures are completed, the chair, through email, will acknowledge final approval from the Chair and students can upload their dissertation on ProQuest.
5. Students will then have the opportunity to order hardback copies from ProQuest when uploaded or purchase a full coverage copyright.

Note:  Check with your advisor for the specific due when dissertations should be submitted for this semester.

Copyright

Students will want to give consideration to registering their work for copyright protection. This is not required and strictly a student choice. There are benefits to protecting your work.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?

Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within five years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works. (From: Copyright.gov)

Texas A&M says, "The most important thing you can do to protect your copyright is to register with the US Copyright Office. Registration isn’t required for copyright protection, but it will be required before you can bring a lawsuit. More importantly, once a copyright is registered you can seek “statutory damages” for any infringement that takes place after registration. Statutory damages are predetermined damages that a court can award without inquiring into the actual harm or unjust profit caused by an infringement. This is important because proving harm can be difficult and expensive. Statutory damages, which can be as high as $150,000 for a “willful” infringer (someone who knew their actions infringed copyright), are a powerful deterrent. Sending a cease and desist letter that includes reference to potential statutory damages can be very effective as a way to stop an alleged infringer. (From: Texas A&M LibGuide)
 

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?

The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration. (From: Copyright.gov)

Problems, Changes, or Refunds

The ETD submission site used by the HCU College of Education is only used one time -- for the original submission of the dissertation. Minor changes (excluding orders requiring payment) can be made before submission. If you have problems, questions, or need to change you order/need a refund, then you must send an email to disspub@proquest.com. ProQuest will have to cancel an order or remove items from an order submission and you will need to start the ordering process again with the Administrative Assistant.

For errors or problems after publication, ProQuest will charge a $49 fee to replace dissertations. You will need to contact disspub@proquest.com to make arrangements. The library is no control over dissertations once they are delivered to ProQuest.

The ETD site will not allow us to add to any order submission. ProQuest can only remove or cancel an order once submitted. Only credit card payments are accepted on the ETD site. The refund process is always the same and will take 2 to 5 business days to post back to the account. If an entire submission is withdrawn, the ETD site will automatically process a refund on any orders submitted. This money will also post back to the credit card account within 2 to 5 business days.