Graduate Dissertation Topic Change Request Form

Streamline Dissertation Topic Changes with Paperform

Graduate research is a dynamic process, and sometimes dissertation topics need to evolve based on new findings, shifting research interests, or practical constraints. This Graduate Dissertation Topic Change Request Form template provides universities and graduate programs with a professional, structured way to manage topic change requests while maintaining academic integrity and clear communication channels.

Built for Graduate Program Administration

This form template is designed specifically for graduate schools, doctoral programs, and thesis committees that need to document and approve significant changes to student research trajectories. Whether you're managing a small cohort or overseeing hundreds of graduate students across multiple departments, this template ensures every topic change request is properly documented, reviewed, and processed.

The form captures all essential information including the student's current dissertation details, proposed new topic with justification, advisor consent, committee member notifications, and timeline implications. With conditional logic built in, the form adapts based on whether timeline extensions are needed and automatically captures relevant approval signatures.

Automate Your Academic Workflows with Stepper

Once a topic change request is submitted, Stepper (stepper.io) can automate the entire approval workflow. Route submissions to department chairs for review, notify all committee members via email, update student records in your university database, and trigger calendar events for new milestone deadlines—all without manual data entry. Keep your graduate office running efficiently while ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Why Graduate Programs Choose Paperform

Universities and colleges use Paperform to replace outdated PDF forms and email chains with modern, accessible online forms that work seamlessly across devices. With SOC 2 Type II compliance and robust data security, you can trust that sensitive student information is protected. The form editor makes it easy for academic administrators to customize fields for program-specific requirements, add your university branding, and embed forms directly into your student portal or website.

Whether you're managing master's theses, doctoral dissertations, or professional graduate research projects, this template provides the foundation for clear, consistent dissertation topic change management that keeps students, advisors, and committees aligned throughout the research journey.