Essential Dates for Graduating Students
Last Day to Apply for Graduation
Degree seeking students must apply for graduation (regardless of whether they plan to attend the commencement ceremony). The form is available on line. Students who do not meet the dates below may experience long delays in receipt of their diplomas.
- Summer 2009: July 8
- Fall 2009: September 24
- Spring 2010: TBA in February
Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement Ceremonies will be held Sunday, December 13, in the Holmes Convocation Center. You can read more about the ceremony, including information for family and friends attending on the University Registrar's website -- they usually post final information in late September.
A note for August graduates: Students who complete their programs in the summer will have an August graduation date. The University does not have a commencement ceremony in August, so students finishing in the summer will be listed in the programs at the December commencement ceremony. However, summer graduates may choose to walk in May instead, in which case you can arrange to mail copies of the December commencement program.
Thesis / Dissertation Deadlines
- Last day to defend a thesis or dissertation is 10 calendar days before the last regular class day.
- Submission of a defended draft of the thesis or dissertation is due in the Graduate School no later than 7 calendar days before the last regular class day. (In summer the end of the "semester" is the end of second summer session.) Your draft will be reviewed by the Graduate School readers, and additional changes may be necessary.
Written / Oral Comprehensives and Products of Learning
Last day for Registrar's Office to receive report of successful completion of the written or oral comprehensive exams, product-of-learning presentation or capstone research:
- The signed paperwork must be received in the Registrar's Office at least 1 day before final exams begin in the semester of graduation. (In summer, the end of the "semester" is the end of second summer session.)
