For Institute for Worship Studies doctoral candidates:

This page contains instructions for students who have completed their theses and are ready to sumbit them for final editing. Toward the bottom of this page, there are also some handy resources for students who are still in the process of writing theses.

For students finished with their theses: If you have received written confirmation from Dr. Borchert or Dr. Ray that your thesis has been approved, then you're ready for the next (and final!) step: format and style approval. The end is in sight! Rejoice! I'm here to help you and be a blessing to you on this final stretch of the road.

Here are some guidelines for sending your thesis to me:

1. Send a hard copy of the complete thesis including front matter and appendices. You will receive an email saying that your thesis has arrived. Unless we're really close to the deadline, there's not much need for sending it expensively. Also, if there are bulky or expensive appendices that you'd prefer not to have to send, that's fine, too. My mailing address is just below.

2. If you want the thesis returned, please provide a self-addressed, stamped container/mailer for me. (Most people don't, however, and I usually just dispose of them after we go through the corrections together-- and graduation is over).

3. Once your work has been processed, I will alert you via email. Your next step is to contact my administrative assistant, Marlene Shirley, so that she can set a time for us to have a phone session. Her number is: 916-967-4784 (ex. 874).

4. It generally takes me a couple of weeks to process your thesis and get back to you about setting up an appointment with Marlene. However, it can sometimes take longer. Please be extra patient and remember that other theses are probably ahead of yours. This can delay the time that it takes me to get back to you.

5. When it comes time for you to phone me for our session, please allow for about an hour. You will call me at my work number, listed just below (or the Skype account if you prefer that). Most important: Please have a hard copy of your complete work in front of you as we talk. You will indicate changes (but not make them) as we're breezing through the material, then come back to it later after our phone session to make your edits. This will help us to move much more efficiently.

One other communication option: I have an account with the free, online tool called Skype. If you have it, we can communicate that way, too. My Skype address is ChrisAlford. This has been especially handy for students who live overseas. Zip over to Skype.com to find out more.

6. The deadline for sending your final thesis copies (on the appropriate paper, etc.) to the IWS office (Kingsley address) is June 1. I have listed several handy links related to thesis writing, Turabian issues, and acid free/cotton paper that you might like to peruse (choose "Links" on the left hand side of this page).

Here's the address for you to use:


Dr. Chris Alford
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
11427 Fair Oaks Boulevard
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 967-4784
Web: www.FOPC.org


To contact me by email, click "Contact Me" on the left hand side of this page, or choose this link:
Click Here To Email Chris.

Helpful samples showing proper format...
Here's a little collection of helpful samples of thesis formatting. I'll be adding to the list from time to time, so check back occasionally:

Some Top Issues that Folks Often Miss

Sample Thesis Front Matter: Title

Sample Thesis Front Matter: Contents and Following

Sample Thesis: Chapter One Title Page

Sample Thesis: Sources Consulted