Graduate Programs Deadlines
Registering for Fewer Than 3 Credits of Thesis or Dissertation
ONLY in the semester of graduation may students register for fewer than the minimum three hours of thesis or dissertation. To register for zero (0) hours, students must have been registered for at least 3 hours the preceding semester and MUST HAVE ALREADY SUCCESSFULY DEFENDED.
To graduate in the designated semester, students must successfully defend (or pass FPE) by the 2nd Monday before the last day of the semester and submit the document (meaning that the Office of Graduate Programs has accepted the committee-approved document) by the Monday before the last day of the semester.
Responsibility for determining how many credits are needed to fulfill degree requirements rests with the student and his/her advisor. Registration may be for 0, 1, 2, or 3 hours, based on the following schedule.
Main/ESD Campus Graduate Students Graduation Deadlines for Final Program Examination and Submitting Your Thesis - MS Design Project - Dissertation - DRP
| SUMMER 2026 | Hrs | Successfully Defend by | Submit Document to OGP by | Diploma Dated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass defense before Fall 2024 starts on May 18 | 0 | Friday, May 15 | Friday, May 29 | August 2026 |
| 1 | Friday, June 19 | August 2026 | ||
| 2 | Friday, July 10 | August 2026 | ||
| Successfully defend (or pass FPE) by July 20 for August 2026 diploma | 3 | Monday, July 20 | Monday, July 27 | August 2026 |
*If ANY defense, pass, or submission deadline is missed, student graduates in FA25.
| FALL 2026 | Hrs | Successfully Defend by | Submit Document to OGP by | Diploma Dated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass defense before Fall 2026 starts on August 17 | 0 | Friday, August 14 | Friday, September 11 | December 2026 |
| 1 | Friday, October 9 | December 2026 | ||
| 2 | Friday, November 13 | December 2026 | ||
| Successfully defend (or pass FPE) by November 30 for December 2026 diploma | 3 | Monday, November 30 | Monday, December 7 | December 2026 |
*If ANY defense, pass, or submission deadline is missed, student graduates in SP26.
| SPRING 2026 | Hrs | Successfully Defend by | Submit Document to OGP by | Diploma Dated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass defense before Spring 2026 starts on January 12 | 0 | Friday, January 9 | Friday, February 6 | May 2026 |
| 1 | Friday, March 6 | May 2026 | ||
| 2 | Friday, April 3 | May 2026 | ||
| Successfully defend (or pass FPE) by April 27 for SP26 diploma | 3 | Monday, April 27 | Monday, May 4 | May 2026 |
*If ANY defense, pass, or submission deadline is missed, student graduates in SU26.
Oral Exam Announcement Submission Deadline
The original, signed, Oral Examination/Defense Announcement form must be received in the Office of Graduate Programs at least 14 days before the examination or defense date. You must include Date, Time and Place of your examination or defense. In addition, thesis and dissertation students must include the title of your thesis, dissertation, DRP or Master’s Design Project.
Thesis/Dissertation Registration
Students must have been registered for at least 3 hours the preceding semester and MUST HAVE ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED in order to register for zero (0) hours.
| Hrs | SUMMER 2026 | FALL 2026 | SPRING 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 hr | May 29, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | February 6, 2026 |
| 1 hr | June 19, 2026 | October 9, 2026 | March 6, 2026 |
| 2 hr | July 10, 2026 | November 13, 2026 | April 3, 2026 |
| 3 hr | July 27, 2026 | December 7, 2026 | May 4, 2026 |
Graduation Deadlines
*Date the completed ‘Petition for Graduation’ must be submitted to the Registrar’s Graduation Office to avoid a late fee of $30.00. A late fee of $60 is assessed if a student petitions to graduate (for the first time) during the semester of graduation.
Summer 2026 Graduation
- Last day to re-petition for students who had petitioned for Summer 2026:* May 29, 2026
- Last day for completed graduate-level defense and exam: July 20, 2026
- Last day to submit approved copies of thesis or dissertation to the Office of Graduate Programs: July 27, 2026
- Graduation date (no ceremony): August 1, 2026
Fall 2026 Graduation
- Last day to petition to graduate without a late fee:* March 13. 2026
- Last day to re-petition for students who had petitioned for Spring/Summer 2026:* September 4, 2026
- Last day for completed graduate-level defense and exam: November 30, 2026
- Last day to submit approved copies of thesis or dissertation to the Office of Graduate Programs: December 7, 2026
- Graduation date (Saturday ceremonies): December 12, 2026
Spring 2026 Graduation
- Last day to petition to graduate without a late fee:* September 5, 2025
- Last day to re-petition for students who had petitioned for Fall 2025:* January 23, 2026
- Last day for completed graduate-level defense and exam: April 27, 2026
- Last day to submit approved copies of thesis or dissertation to the Office of Graduate Programs: May 4, 2026
- Graduation date (Saturday ceremonies): May 9, 2026