Graduation Checklist For Master’s Students

1. File a program of study with Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall.
2. Submit an online Application for Graduation for the term in which you expect to graduate, by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes. Earlier submission is strongly encouraged.
3. Review your academic record for any unmet requirements:
   • Incomplete (I) or progress (P) grades must be removed.
   • Transfer credits must be approved and processed by the beginning of the semester of intended graduation.
   • Transfer credits must have been completed within the 6-year time limit, to count toward degree requirements.
   • An overall 3.0 GPA must be achieved.
   • A Petition of Exception must be filed if the degree will NOT be completed with the university’s 6-year time limit (a 2-year extension for a maximum of an 8-year total).
4. If completing a thesis:
   • Complete a successful defense or presentation by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
   • Attain format approval from Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
   • Submit for binding three copies of format approved thesis to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
5. If graduation requirements are not completed by the stated deadlines, you must change your graduation date by contacting Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall.

Within one term of completing their degree requirements, master’s students may participate in commencement. A Request to Participate in Commencement Ceremony form must be approved by their academic adviser and department chair and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning for final approval.

Graduation Checklist For Doctoral Students

1. File a program of study with Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall.
2. Submit an online Application for Graduation for the term in which you expect to graduate, by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes. Earlier submission is strongly encouraged.
3. Review your academic record for any unmet requirements:
   • Incomplete (I) or progress (P) grades must be removed.
   • Transfer credits must be approved and processed by the beginning of the semester of intended graduation. 
   • Transfer credits must have been completed within the 6-year time limit to count toward degree requirements.
   • An overall 3.0 GPA must be achieved.
   • The maximum time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is no more than 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program.
4. Submit verification that all comprehensive examinations have been completed to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall.
5. Register for the term in which your dissertation will be defended.
6. Complete a successful dissertation defense by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
7. Attain format approval from Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
8. Submit for binding three copies of your format approved dissertation to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the deadline stated in the Schedule of Classes.
9. Submit an additional copy of your format approved dissertation to meet the ProQuest publication requirement.
10. Submit an online Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) questionnaire.
11. If graduation requirements are not completed by the stated deadlines, you must change your graduation date by contacting Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall.

Doctoral students are not eligible to participate in commencement without completing all degree requirements, including dissertation defense and submission of an approved dissertation, signatures of all committee members and compliance of dissertation requirements outlined in the Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations.