Published: March 21, 2024

Mark your calendars for important spring graduation deadlines, funding opportunities, events and professional development workshops.


Graduation Deadlines

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. Learn more 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.


Funding Opportunities


Professional Development Opportunities

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

 April 1-5

The first week of every April, the Graduate School at the University of Colorado Boulder celebrates what makes it great: its students. Part of a broad national effort, these events recognize graduate students and the outstanding work that they do.

Learn More

Breakfast Burritos with the Dean

 April 2, 8 to 9:30 a.m.  Rec Center, Ice Rink Overlook 

Join Dean Adler and the Graduate School staff for breakfast burritos and coffee for Graduate Student Appreciation Week! Food & beverage available while supplies last.

Register Here

GradCO: Identifying Alternative Career Paths to Academia

 April 3, 12 to 1:30 p.m.  Zoom

In this virtual session Amy Cailene from the Career Center returns to guide participants through methods to translate academic skills to suit careers and jobs outside the university. If you are curious about how to find jobs in industry or other agencies where you can use your advanced degree, you will benefit from Cailene’s keen career insights. 

This workshop is hosted by Colorado State University and is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Consortium's Professional Development Series.

Register Here

Negotiating Salary & Startup Packages for Academia & Industry

 April 18, 12 to 1 p.m.  Zoom

In this information session, we will cover negotiating salary and startup packages for both academic and industry positions. We will hear from Assistant Professors Nuris Figueroa (Physics) and Katya Arquilla (Aerospace Engineering), and Program Director and Career Advisor Cat Diebel-Wilson (Career Services), who will offer strategies to help you effectively navigate salary discussions. Questions may be submitted in advance to opa@colorado.edu.

Register Here