Graduate Graduation Deadlines
The schedule of deadlines for Master's, Specialist and Doctoral students.
Semester of Degree Completion (Graduation)
| Classes Begin | Aug. 25 |
| Last day for filing an Application for Graduation | Sept. 12 |
| Last day for filing doctoral dissertation proposal for current semester graduation | Aug. 8 |
| Last day for requesting defense of doctoral dissertation | Oct. 17 |
| Nominations due for Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence | Oct. 17 |
| Last day for defense of doctoral dissertation | Oct. 31 |
| Last day for filing master’s thesis, doctoral scholarly project and doctoral dissertation | Nov. 7 |
| Nominations due for outstanding dissertation/thesis | Nov. 7 |
| Last day for filing results of master’s and specialist’s written comprehensive examination | Nov. 28 |
| All degrees conferred | Dec. 12 |
| Graduate commencement ceremony | Dec. 12 |
| All grades due | Dec. 18 |
| Transcripts available with final degree |
Jan. 20, 2026 |
| Diplomas available with degree |
Feb. 10, 2026 |
| Classes Begin | Jan. 12 |
| Last day for filing an Application for Graduation | March 6 |
| Last day for filing doctoral dissertation proposal for current semester graduation | Dec. 12, (2025) |
| Last day for requesting defense of doctoral dissertation | March 13 |
| Nominations due for Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence | March 13 |
| Last day for defense of doctoral dissertation | March 27 |
| Last day for filing master’s thesis, doctoral scholarly project and doctoral dissertation | April 3 |
| Nominations due for outstanding dissertation/thesis | April 3 |
| Last day for filing results of master’s and specialist’s written comprehensive examination | April 24 |
| All degrees conferred | May 8 |
| Graduate commencement ceremony | May 8 |
| All grades due | May 13 |
| Transcripts available with final degree |
June 15 |
| Diplomas available with degree |
June 29 |
| Classes Begin | May 18 |
| Last day for filing an Application for Graduation | June 5 |
| Last day for filing doctoral dissertation proposal for current semester graduation | May 9 |
| Last day for requesting defense of doctoral dissertation | June 12 |
| Last day for defense of doctoral dissertation | June 26 |
| Last day for filing master’s thesis, doctoral scholarly project and doctoral dissertation | July 3 |
| Last day for filing results of master’s and specialist’s written comprehensive examination | July 24 |
| All degrees conferred | Aug. 7 |
| Graduate commencement ceremony | May 8, or Dec. 11 |
| All grades due | Aug. 7 |
| Last day for filing Summer Application for Graduation to guarantee student name in printed spring commencement program | March 6 |
| Transcripts available with final degree |
Sept. 8 |
| Diplomas available with degree |
Sept. 21 |
Questions?
Lynne Waldo
Degree Compliance Specialist