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 publichealth.indiana.edu/student-portal/graduation/index.html. 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 events. 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 print materials related to May graduation events.

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 events. 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. September 25 is the last day on which names may be included in print materials related to December graduation events.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: How do I make sure my name will appear in the university’s commencement printed program?
Answer: To make sure your name appears in the university’s commencement printed program, you should complete and submit the application for graduation at least six months before your desired graduation date. 

Question: I am a graduate student planning to complete the requirements for my degree in the near future, but not planning to attend the 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 commencement ceremony. 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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