Academic Policies & Procedures

Master's Thesis Students

Application for Graduation

At least six months before the expected date of graduation, candidates for Master's degrees must complete and submit an application to graduate at https://www.indiana.edu/~hperweb/academics/graduation.php. When submitted, this application is received by the School of Public Health-Bloomington Records Office. The School will not be responsible for the degree certification of Master's degree students who fail to meet this requirement.  

MAY GRADUATION CEREMONY: Students who will complete degree requirements, and submit all required thesis materials to the director of degree administration in May, June, or July, may participate in the May graduation ceremony, which takes place shortly after the spring semester ends. These students are strongly encouraged to complete and submit the application to graduate by October 1 of the previous year.  October 1 is the priority date which guarantees efficient processing of the application. February 25 is the last day on which names may be included in the May graduation ceremony commencement program.

DECEMBER GRADUATION CEREMONY: Students who will complete degree requirements, and submit all required thesis materials to the director of degree administration in December, may participate in the December graduation ceremony, which takes place shortly after the fall semester ends. These students are strongly encouraged to complete and submit the application to graduate by May 1 of the same year.  May 1 is the priority date which guarantees efficient processing of the application. October 1st is the last day on which names may be included in the December graduation ceremony commencement program.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: How do I make sure my name will appear in the University’s graduation commencement program?
Answer: To make sure your name appears in the University’s graduation commencement program, you should complete and submit the application for graduation at least six months before your desired graduation date. The university creates the program for each graduation commencement ceremony by stated deadlines. (normally late February or early March for the May ceremony, and early October for the December ceremony).

Question: I am a graduate student planning to complete the requirements for my degree in the near future, but not planning to attend the graduation commencement ceremony. Do I still need to apply to graduate?
Answer: Yes. All graduate degree-seeking students must apply for graduation, whether or not they are planning to attend the University’s graduation commencement program. The graduation application is the only means of letting the graduate recorder know the student plans to complete the degree. This cues the recorder to audit a student's progress toward satisfaction of all degree requirements for a specific degree certification date. If you do not tell the recorder when you want to graduate, nothing happens.

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