Graduate Student Graduation Guide
Graduation involves more than completing your final coursework. Use this guide to review important deadlines, confirm your degree requirements, complete the graduation application process, and prepare for commencement. Requirements and timelines may vary by degree pathway and graduation term, so plan ahead and work closely with your advisor and graduate program.
Graduate Student Graduation Guide
Watch this video for an overview of the key steps and requirements to complete the graduation process and stay on track to earn your degree.
-
Check Graduation Deadlines
Your graduation timeline begins with knowing the deadlines for your intended graduation semester. Review the Graduate College Academic Calendar for important dates related to degree completion, required forms, defenses, thesis or dissertation requirements, and other graduation milestones.
Deadlines may vary by semester and degree pathway, so review the calendar early and continue checking it as you approach graduation.
-
Review Your Degree Requirements
Before your final semester, review the requirements associated with your degree and completion pathway. Confirm that you have completed or scheduled your coursework, Plan of Study, committee requirements, and required academic milestones.
Use the appropriate degree pathway page for a detailed checklist and requirements.
-
Review Your Graduate Advisory Committee
Before completing your final degree requirements, review your Graduate Advisory Committee information and make sure it is accurate and up to date. If your committee membership has changed, complete the appropriate committee revision process before proceeding with final degree milestones.
Graduate Committee Change Request
-
Apply for Graduation
Students must apply for graduation through the University. If your graduation plans change after applying, review the appropriate instructions to update or cancel your application.
Graduation Application Change Request Form
-
Reasons Students Fail to Graduate
- Lack of Graduation Application
Students must submit a graduation application for the semester in which they plan to graduate. - Plan of Study Deficiencies
Your Plan of Study must be complete and accurately reflect the coursework and requirements for your degree. - Incomplete Grades or Missing Grades
All required coursework must have a final grade recorded. Incomplete or missing grades may prevent your degree from being cleared. - Insufficient Enrollment
Make sure you meet the enrollment requirements for your degree and graduation semester. - Incomplete Thesis or Dissertation Submission (if applicable)
Students completing a thesis or dissertation must complete the required submission process and meet all applicable deadlines before the degree can be finalized.
- Lack of Graduation Application
-
Prepare for Commencement
As you prepare to complete your degree, visit the Graduate Commencement page for ceremony dates, RSVP information, graduate instructions, and other commencement details.