Graduate students, mark your calendars for these April 1 and April 2 graduation deadlines.

April 1

Graduate students who plan to have their degrees awarded in August but would like to be listed in the commencement program must apply online to graduate through Buff Portal on the “apply for graduation” card. Doctoral students must also enter their dissertation title as part of the graduation application. Though you plan to participate in the May ceremony, please select August 2026 as the semester of graduation if that is when your degree will be awarded. 

April 2

Doctoral students must complete the PhD dissertation defense or final examination by this date. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the doctoral final examination form two weeks before the exam, a minimum of two weeks (but no more than four weeks) before the exam.