Graduate students, mark your calendars for these approaching graduation deadlines for spring 2024
February
Feb. 1 (Preferred Deadline)
Master's students are requested to submit to the Graduate School a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree. Students in a BAM or dual program are asked to meet this deadline. Applications follow a workflow process and must be approved by the academic department before they are directed to the Graduate School.
March
March 1
Graduate students must apply online to graduate through buff portal on the “apply for graduation” card in order to have the degree awarded in May. This is required whether you plan to attend the university-wide ceremony or not. PhD students must enter their dissertation title as part of the online graduation application; you may update the title through the portal until this date. This title will appear on your transcript after your degree is awarded.
March 1 (Final Deadline)
Master's students who have not done so must submit to the Graduate School a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree. Applications follow a workflow process and must be approved by the academic department before they are directed to the Graduate School.
April
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. PhD students must also enter their dissertation title as part of the graduation application. Though you plan to participate in a May ceremony, please select August as the semester of graduation if that is when your degree will be awarded.
April 9
Doctoral students must complete the PhD dissertation defense or doctoral 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.
April 16
PhD students must submit the dissertation with Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The dissertation must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single-page Thesis Approval Form (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.
April 16
PhD and DMA students must fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) online by this deadline. See additional information about the survey.
April 16
Master's students must complete the thesis defense or final examination by this date. 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 22
Doctoral grade changes must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous or current semesters.
April 23
Master's thesis plan students must submit the thesis and Thesis Approval Form 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 Thesis Approval Form (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.
April 28
Doctoral students must update diploma name or address in Buff Portal by this date if necessary.
April 29
Master’s grade changes must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous semesters.
May
May 31
Master’s students must update diploma name or address in Buff Portal by this date if necessary.