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.

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 at least three calendar months before the preliminary oral examination. The three calendar-month timeframe for scheduling the preliminary oral examination begins the day the DOGE approves the Academic Plan.

Registration Requirements

Students who fail to register as specified below must complete the appropriate registration before the Graduate Student Approval Form will be approved by the Graduate College.

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.

Preliminary Oral Examination

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

If the preliminary 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.

Post-Preliminary Oral Examination Continuous Enrollment

Students who have passed (full or conditional) the preliminary oral examination are required to register for a minimum of one credit each fall and spring term between the preliminary oral examination and final oral examination, regardless of whether university facilities, equipment, or staff time are used in person or in absentia.

Final Oral Examination

Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the term of the final oral examination. If no coursework is needed, students may 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.

Preliminary Oral Examination

The Academic Plan Committee and Academic Plan must be approved at least three calendar months before the preliminary oral examination.

Students must wait a minimum of six calendar months between taking the preliminary oral examination and final oral examination.

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

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

After the preliminary oral examination is held, 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.

Application for Program Completion

Students must Apply for Program Completion before submitting the Graduate Oral Exam Request for the final oral examination.

A $145 fee will be billed to each dissertation student’s university bill to cover dissertation 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 dissertation 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.

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 examination 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.

After the final oral examination is held, 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

Doctoral students must open an account with ProQuest and input the title of their dissertation 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 dissertation. 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 Final Dissertation to ProQuest

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

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

The Graduate College will not review the final dissertation 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.