Master's Thesis Requirements

Please refer to the Graduate College deadlines for term-specific dates. Students are encouraged to complete the items below as early in the semester as possible. Students are responsible for adhering to the published deadlines to graduate in the term desired. Failure to meet all deadlines will result in postponing graduation to a later term.

Academic Plan Committee

All students must form an Academic Plan Committee. Early selection of a major professor and formation of an Academic Plan Committee is very important. It is recommended that the Academic Plan Committee be formed as early as the second semester of graduate study.

For additional information, refer to Chapter 6 of the Graduate College Handbook.

The Academic Plan Committee must be approved before the student can submit their Academic Plan for approval.

Academic Plan

All students must complete an Academic Plan. The Academic Plan should be submitted for approval as early as possible.

For additional information, refer to Chapter 6 of the Graduate College Handbook.

The student’s initial Academic Plan must be approved by the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) in Workday no later than the last day of the semester prior to the term of the final oral examination.

Application for Program Completion

All students must Apply for Program Completion after the Academic Plan has been fully approved in Workday and before submitting the Graduate Oral Exam Request for the final oral examination.

A $145 fee will be billed to each thesis student’s university bill to cover thesis review, processing, and technical assistance.

Students who will not meet the graduation requirements for a given term should contact the Graduate College to withdraw their Application for Program Completion. The thesis fee will then be credited to the student’s university bill. If the Application for Program Completion has been cancelled, denied, or withdrawn, the student must reapply for program completion and pay the $145 fee for the next planned term of graduation.

Registration Requirements

All students must register for a minimum of one credit during the term of the final oral examination. If no coursework is needed, students can register for Examination Only (GRST 6810B).

If the final oral examination is taken between terms (including the first day of classes for the later term), registration can occur either the term before or the term after the examination date.

International students holding F-1 or J-1 visas may have additional registration requirements and should contact the International Students and Scholars Office as early as possible.

A student who fails to register as specified above must complete the appropriate registration before the Graduate Student Approval Form will be approved by the Graduate College.

Final Oral Examination

To schedule the final oral examination date and obtain approval from the Graduate College, students must submit the Graduate Oral Exam Request at least three weeks before the requested final oral exam date.

The Graduate Oral Exam Request must be approved by the major professor(s) and the Graduate College BEFORE proceeding with the final oral examination.

The Graduate Oral Exam Request must be approved by the major professor(s) no later than the cancellation deadline for the term of graduation. Students who do not meet this deadline will have their Application for Program Completion cancelled by the Graduate College.

The final oral examination must be held no later than three weeks before the end of the term of graduation.

When the final oral examination is complete, the major professor must Submit the Oral Examination Results. The Graduate College will forward the results to the rest of the Academic Plan Committee for approval in Workday.

Open an Account with ProQuest

Students must open an account with ProQuest and input the title of their thesis by the posted deadline for the term of graduation. If the student does not input their title by the deadline, the title will not appear in the commencement program.

Graduate Student Approval Form

Once the student has passed the final oral examination, the major professor(s) and Academic Plan Committee must review the content and format of the student’s final thesis. Once all edits have been made, the student must submit the Graduate Student Approval Form.

The Graduate College must receive the Graduate Student Approval Form by the deadline for the term of graduation.

Students must check their Academic History (Student profile > Academics > Academic History) for any I, N, NP, or F grades. Students cannot graduate with any unresolved grades on the transcript.

Any conditions placed on the final oral examination must be removed by the major professor via the Oral Exam Conditions Met Request.

Upload and Submit Thesis to ProQuest

Before uploading and submitting the final thesis to ProQuest, students should review the Format Self-Check Checklist.

Students must upload their final thesis to ProQuest by the deadline for the term of graduation.

The Graduate College will not review the final thesis until the Graduate Student Approval Form has been received.

Final Clearance of Academic Requirements

Final clearance of academic requirements will be made when current term grades have been submitted and evaluated by the Graduate College.