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 2025 | Hrs | Successfully Defend by | Submit Document to OGP by | Diploma Dated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass defense before Fall 2024 starts on May 19 | 0 | Friday, May 6 | Friday, May 30 | August 205 |
| 1 | Friday, June 20 | August 205 | ||
| 2 | Friday, July 11 | August 205 | ||
| Successfully defend (or pass FPE) by July 21 for SU25 diploma | 3 | Monday, July 21 | Monday, July 28 | August 205 |
*If ANY defense, pass, or submission deadline is missed, student graduates in FA25.
| FALL 2025 | Hrs | Successfully Defend by | Submit Document to OGP by | Diploma Dated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass defense before Spring 2025 starts on August 18 | 0 | Friday, August 15 | Friday, September 13 | December 2025 |
| 1 | Friday, October 10 | December 2025 | ||
| 2 | Friday, November 11 | December 2025 | ||
| Successfully defend (or pass FPE) by December 1 for FA25 diploma | 3 | Monday, December 1 | Monday, December 8 | December 2025 |
*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 SUCESSFULLY DEFENDED in order to register for zero (0) hours.
| Hrs | SUMMER 2025 | FALL 2025 | SPRING 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 hr | May 30, 2025 | September 13, 2025 | February 6, 2026 |
| 1 hr | June 20, 2025 | October 10, 2025 | March 6, 2026 |
| 2 hr | July 11, 2025 | November 7, 2025 | April 3, 2026 |
| 3 hr | July 28, 2025 | December 8, 2025 | 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 2025 Graduation
- Last day to re-petition for students who had petitioned for Spring 2025:* May 30, 2025
- Last day for completed graduate-level defense and exam: July 21, 2025
- Last day to submit approved copies of thesis or dissertation to the Office of Graduate Programs: July 28, 2025
- Graduation date (no ceremony): August 2, 2025
Fall 2025 Graduation
- Last day to petition to graduate without a late fee:* March 14. 2025
- Last day to re-petition for students who had petitioned for Spring/Summer 2025:* September 5, 2025
- Last day for completed graduate-level defense and exam: December 1, 2025
- Last day to submit approved copies of thesis or dissertation to the Office of Graduate Programs: December 8, 2025
- Graduation date (Saturday ceremonies): December 13, 2025
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