Introduction

The AC4 form submission is a critical step in transitioning your project, thesis or dissertation from preparation to evaluation and defense. This stage involves submitting your completed work for review and establishing your defense examination committee, pivotal for the final assessment of your work.

Eligibility and Timing

Ensure all prerequisites are met, including the approval of your AC2 form. Prior to submission, it’s essential to confirm with your supervisor that your work is ready for submission and adheres to the GGS formatting guidelines.

Process Overview

1. Document Preparation: Your project, thesis, or dissertation must adhere to the formatting standards set by the College of Graduate Studies.

2. Submission: Complete the AC4 form on the Graduate Services Portal, attaching your project, thesis or dissertation in Word and PDF formats, along with abstracts in English and Arabic, and keywords. Your supervisor must endorse your submission, which is then reviewed by the Program Director.

3. Program Director’s Role: The Program Director, in collaboration with the Program Committee, appoints the defense examination committee and nominates external referees, ensuring a comprehensive review tailored to your research topic.

4. Evaluation and Approval: Following supervisor endorsement and Program Director review, your work undergoes a formal evaluation from an external reviewer for originality and caliber.

5. Progression for Master’s and PhD Students:

   • Master’s Thesis Students: Manuscript-Based Theses that meet all publication requirements automatically advance to the AC6 stage for defense scheduling and are not sent to an external reviewer.

   • Master’s Project Students: Upon meeting structural, stylistic, and originality criteria, project students also proceed directly to the AC6 stage without undergoing a review by an external referee.

Next Steps

Upon successful approval of the AC4 form, the College of Graduate Studies (CGS) initiates the external review process (AC5), a critical step in ensuring your work meets the standards expected of a Master’s thesis or PhD dissertation. This involves:

• Selecting an External Reviewer: The CGS contacts an external reviewer, nominated during the AC4 process, to conduct a thorough blind review of your work.

• Student Tracking: You can monitor the progress of this external review through the AC5 step on the Graduate Services Portal, keeping you informed of your submission’s status.

This external review is vital for validating the quality and originality of your work, providing an impartial assessment that complements the internal review process.

Key Considerations

• Adherence to formatting and submission guidelines is crucial to ensure a smooth review process.

• Be proactive in communicating with your supervisor and stay informed about the status of your submission through the Graduate Services Portal.

The completion of the AC4 form and subsequent external review marks a significant milestone in your graduate research journey, edging you closer to the defense of your thesis or dissertation.