A degree audit is your tool for confirming you are on track to graduate. Follow these steps:
We are currently transitioning our final semester processes. If you are graduating in the fall, some required tasks may not be included. You are only responsible for meeting the deadlines that are listed.
Select the appropriate term to view the required tasks and deadlines. To have your degree awarded in a given semester/session, you must meet all deadlines for either intersession or regular semester/session. If you finish during an intersession, you are not required to enroll in the following term; however, your degree will not be officially awarded until that term has closed. All posted deadlines are firm and must be met for graduation.
Intersession completion means finishing all requirements between terms, before the next semester/session begins. For information on confirming degree completion before the official award date, see the section on After Graduation below.
Semester Dates: August 25, 2025 – December 19, 2025
If you meet all deadlines for Fall 2025 (Intersession or Regular Semester), your degree will be awarded in December 2025. You may choose to participate in the December 2025 or May 2026 commencement ceremony.
Semester Dates: January 20, 2026 – May 15, 2026
If you meet all deadlines for Spring 2026 (Intersession or Regular Semester), your degree will be awarded in May 2026. You may choose to participate in the May 2026 or December 2026 commencement ceremony.
Session Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 24, 2026
If you meet all deadlines for Summer 2026 (Intersession or Regular Session), your degree will be awarded in July 2026. You may choose to participate in the December 2026 or May 2027 commencement ceremony.
Turn in a complete copy of your thesis or dissertation — from the title page through the vita — to Graduate Education for the first format check. All sections, references, and appendices must be included. You can continue to update the content, but this step helps catch formatting problems early so you have plenty of time to fix them.
Submit your second, updated draft to your format checker once your final defense has been scheduled. This draft must include all sections and be polished enough for your committee to review, though minor edits may still be made afterward.
Doctoral students must also submit the Final Doctoral Defense Notification Form so Graduate Education can publicize the defense. This form is due at least 7 days before the defense, so plan to submit it 10–14 days in advance. If your defense is not publicized at least 7 days in advance, you will need to reschedule.
Your final defense is a formal presentation of your research to your committee. You’ll explain your work, respond to their questions, and incorporate their feedback. Successfully completing the defense allows you to move forward with the final steps toward graduation.
Submit Form 2 (Master’s) or Form 7 (Doctoral) to record the results of your defense. Graduate Education must receive this form by the posted deadline.
Please note that Forms 2 and 7 serve two purposes: first to report the outcome of your defense, and second to record final approval of your thesis or dissertation. Because of this, the form will not receive full approval from Graduate Education until your final draft has been submitted and accepted.
Once you’ve made all revisions required by your committee and your Form 2/7 has been submitted to Graduate Education, send your updated draft to your format checker for a third review. This is your final format check before the final draft review. Be sure every correction has been made and double-check all formatting — any issues left unresolved at this stage can delay acceptance of your final draft and your graduation.
Submit the corrected, fully formatted version of your thesis or dissertation to Graduate Education by the posted deadline. Your format checker will use the release information on your Form 2/7 to send you instructions for final submission. This submission becomes the archived copy in the official university record. Missing this deadline means your degree cannot be awarded.
Your hard work has led to this moment—celebration time! Check out Your Guide to Commencement for everything you need to know: ceremony schedules, regalia, FAQs, and tips to make the most of your graduation day.
Degrees are conferred approximately 3–4 weeks after the close of the semester or session, after final grades are posted and all graduation requirements have been verified.
Doctoral candidates receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony. Diplomas for master’s degrees are mailed approximately 6–8 weeks after commencement. Questions regarding diploma delivery should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.
Students who require documentation prior to the official conferral may request a degree completion letter from their graduate specialist. This letter is a standard template and may be used for employment, licensure, or visa purposes until the degree appears on the official transcript or the diploma has been issued. Once the degree has been awarded, students who need proof of degree completion must request an official certification letter from the Registrar’s Office.
Designed specifically for our graduate students completing a thesis or dissertation, our completion checklists provide a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your final milestones with ease.
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