The University Graduate School will recommend the candidate to the Board of Trustees for the degree only upon completion of all the requirements stated in this Bulletin. Degrees are awarded on the last day of each month of the year with the exception of May, August, and December.  For the degree conferral schedule, please consult the Registrar's Office.

Master's Degree Conferral

For all students seeking a master’s degree, an application for the degree must be filed with the University Graduate School at least 30 days before the date anticipated for degree conferral. All degree requirements must be completed at least 30 days before the date of expected degree conferral, including submis­sion to the University Graduate School of the master’s thesis (if required for degree). Electronic submissions are preferred.

Ph.D. Conferral

For doctoral students, submission to the University Graduate School of the copies of the completed dissertation and abstract as described under Submission of the Dissertation constitutes an application for conferral of the Ph.D. degree. Doctoral students are reminded:

1. The 30-day announcement deadline prior to the defense of the dissertation and the 30-day deadline prior to degree conferral are nonoverlapping time periods.
2. Research committees frequently require revisions and corrections after the defense of the dissertation.  These revisions must be made before the dissertation is ready for submission to the University Graduate School.

Commencement

All graduate students are encouraged to participate in the Com­mencement ceremonies. The solemn yet colorful academic pageantry can provide a fitting culmination to a period of intense study and work. All Ph.D. candidates are now hooded by their professors. Procedures for participating in Commencement may be obtained by contacting the University Gradu­ate School.