Getting Ready to Graduate

Congratulations!  The time has come for you to graduate. The following is a brief discussion of the steps for master's and doctoral students to ensure that they will be ready to graduate on time.  If you have specific questions please visit our About Us page to get in touch with the right member of the Graduate School staff.

1. Applying for Your Degree

• Due by 2nd Friday of the term
• Apply online:
  • Doctoral students
  • Master's and certificate students
    • Note: If you are applying to receive a certificate "along the way" to your master's or doctoral degree, select your primary degree major on page 1 of the application.
• Check in with your department to make sure you've met all requirements for your program.
• Master's students must be registered for at least 3 graduate credits during the final term (except in certain cases--click here for details).
• For master's students completing a thesis, the 3 credits must include at least 1 credit of 503 Thesis.
• Doctoral students must be registered for at least 3 dissertation credits during the final term (except in certain cases--click here for details).

2.  Plan Ahead!!

Doctoral Students:

• The deadline for submitting your application for defense is 3 weeks prior to the defense date.  Start the process at least 4-5 weeks before defense date to ensure submission by the 3 week deadline.
• Check with your committee members to make sure no one will be out of town, on sabbatical, etc. on your defense date OR when you might need signatures.

Master's and Doctoral:

• Get to work early on formatting your manuscript - waiting until the last minute to address formatting causes more work.
• Come see the editor early!  The closer it gets to the end of the term, the longer the wait times.
• Don't be afraid to come see us if you have questions!  The Graduate School is open Monday - Friday,  8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

3.  Master's Student Requirements

• Research Clearance:  required for all students using human or animal subjects
• Language Requirement for Master of Arts:
  
  • second year proficiency demonstrated within seven year time frame
  • transcripted language coursework
  • passing score on standardized exam (CLEP), or special exam administered through appropriate language department
• Complete the following in the term before you plan to graduate:
  
  • petition to remove an incomplete over one year old
  • petition to transfer pre-admission graduate credits
  • classification must be regular master's
• If completing a thesis, submit final thesis by term deadline
• You must be registered for at least 3 graduate credits (including at least 1 credit of 503 Thesis if completing a thesis) during the final term (except in certain cases--click here for details).
• If completing a thesis, your program must include a total of at least 9 credits of 503 Thesis

4.  Graduate Certificate Requirements

• Research Clearance:  required for all students using human or animal subjects
• Minimum Graduate School requirement is 24 graduate credits--some certificates may have a higher credit requirement
• Complete the following in the term before you plan to receive the certificate:
  
  • petition to remove an incomplete over one year old

5.  Doctoral Student Requirements

• Research Clearance: required for all doctoral students using human or animal subjects.
• 6 Month Rule:  The Graduate School must have your committee on file for at least 6 months before your final oral defense date.
• 3 Month Rule:  If your outside member changes, the new person must be on the committee for at least 3 months before your final oral defense date.
• Apply for Oral Defense no later than 3 weeks prior to your defense date.
• Upload final dissertation by term deadline.