The Office of Graduate Education

Deadlines

Final Oral Examinations can be held remotely or in person. The Office of Graduate Education has put in place procedures to ensure that students are able to defend their dissertations. Please see the FAQs (pdf) for information about how to request a Final Oral Examination and the procedure for holding it.


No defenses can be held when the University is closed. Please see the Academic Calendar for University Closings.

PhD PRIORITY Deadlines - Spring 2024 (see FAQs (pdf))

DateKey Events
January 24, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
February 6, 2024 Last day to request a final oral exam **
February 20, 2024 Last day to hold a final oral exam *
February 27, 2024 Last day to upload dissertation for final review
March 5, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education

Master's PRIORITY Deadlines - Spring 2024 (see FAQs (pdf))

DateKey Events
January 24, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
February 22, 2024 Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office
March 7, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education
NOTE: All thesis requirements must be completed by this date

PhD REGULAR Deadlines - Spring 2024

DateKey Events
January 24, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
March 1, 2024 Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
March 26, 2024 Last day to request a final oral exam **
April 9, 2024 Last day to hold a final oral exam*
April 16, 2024 Last day to upload dissertation for final review
April 30, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education

Master's REGULAR Deadlines - Spring 2024

DateKey Events
January 24, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
March 1, 2024 Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024
April 18, 2024 Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office
May 2, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education
NOTE: All thesis requirements must be completed by this date

There are no black out dates between the Spring and Summer semesters.
There is no Priority option in the Summer semester.

PhD REGULAR Deadlines - Summer 2024

June 13, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Summer 2024
July 15, 2024 Final Graduation Application Deadline for Summer 2024
June 25, 2024 Last day to request a final oral exam **
July 9, 2024 Last day to hold a final oral exam*
July 16, 2024 Last day to upload dissertation for final review
July 30, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education

 

Master's REGULAR Deadlines - Summer 2024

June 13, 2024 Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Summer 2024
July 15, 2024 Final Graduation Application Deadline for Summer 2024
July 25, 2024 Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office
August 6, 2024 - 12pm NOON Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education

Black out dates are dates when PhD defenses cannot be held. Black out dates between Summer 2024 and Fall 2024: August 5-9.

For University deadline dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

*May NOT conduct Final Oral Exam when the University is closed for business. It also may not start after 4:00pm.

**All requests for Final Oral Exam must be submitted two weeks prior to the scheduled defense date.

 

Priority Deadlines Frequently Asked Questions

What does graduating following the Priority Deadlines mean?

Starting Fall 2020, a Priority Deadline schedule will replace the In Absentia option for doctoral and master’s candidates. Priority Deadlines allow more time for candidates to complete all dissertation or thesis requirements without enrolling in courses.

Students who apply to graduate before the graduation application deadline may elect not to enroll in any semester credit hours. Ordinarily, students must be registered for the semester in which they graduate. The Priority Deadlines allow candidates to apply to graduate without formally enrolling in courses.

Why graduate following the Priority Deadlines?

Doctoral and master’s candidates who do not make the semester deadlines for finalizing their dissertation or thesis and need additional time to complete requirements may benefit from the Priority Deadlines. Also, students who wish to graduate early in their intended graduation semester have the option to graduate following the Priority Deadlines.

PhD Candidates who follow the Priority Deadlines can request an immediate Certification Letter from the Office of Graduate Education after meeting all dissertation requirements. Both master’s students and PhD candidates can also receive a guaranteed one-on-one formatting session with a Graduate Reader prior to the Initial Submission Deadline, upon request.

Who is eligible to graduate following the Priority Deadline schedule?

This is an option available to both doctoral and master’s candidates. Students following the Priority Deadlines must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have completed all graduation requirements with the exception of completing their dissertation or thesis
  • Must submit and defend no later than the required Priority Deadlines submission and defense dates
  • Must have been enrolled in the preceding long semester (students may graduate under Priority Deadlines in the Fall semester if they were enrolled in the preceding Spring or Summer semester)
  • All International Students should check with ISSO regarding enrollment requirements to graduate using the Priority Deadline option

What happens if I don’t meet the Priority Deadlines?

  • If you do not or will not meet the Priority Deadlines, you must enroll in credit hours for the second 8 weeks session to maintain continuous enrollment and be eligible to graduate
  • There are no extensions for Priority Deadlines

When will I receive my diploma?

  • If you meet the October Priority Deadlines, you will graduate and your degree will be awarded in the Fall semester (December). PhDs will receive their diplomas in December and master’s students will receive diplomas in early spring.
  • If you meet the March Priority Deadlines, you will graduate and your degree will be awarded in the Spring semester (May). PhDs will receive their diplomas in May and master’s students will receive diplomas in early summer.
  • There is no Priority Deadline schedule in the Summer semester.

What is the procedure to graduate following the Priority Deadlines?

  • Finish all requirements to graduate by the Priority Deadlines posted on the Office of Graduate Education website.
  • Contact your Program Office if you need to be made “eligible to graduate.”
  • Submit an Application for Graduation online through Galaxy for the semester you will graduate before the graduation application deadline.
  • Pay the $100 fee which will be applied to your account after Census Day. For questions regarding this fee, please contact the Registrar.

For more information on Priority Deadline Graduation for international students, please visit the International Student Services Office.