Mark your calendars for these approaching graduation deadlines for spring 2026.

April 9: Doctoral students

PhD students must submit the dissertation with Thesis Approval Form (TAF) to ProQuest by April 9. The dissertation must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single-page TAF must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the TAF, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement. 

PhD and DMA students must also fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates by April 9. Learn more about the survey on the National Science Foundation's website.

April 9: Master's students

Master's students must complete the thesis defense or final examination by April 9. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the master's final examination form two weeks before the exam. Certain units do not require an exam for non-thesis students. Please contact your department with any questions.

April 13: Doctoral students

Grade changes for doctoral graduates must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous or current semesters.

April 16: Master's students

Master's thesis plan students must submit the thesis and Thesis Approval Form (TAF) to ProQuest by this deadline. The thesis must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single-page TAF must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the TAF, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement.