• Table of Contents
• The Graduate School Handbook

• Graduate Education
• The Graduate School and the Administrative Board
• Graduate School Staff Directory
• Graduate Education References
• The Graduate School Calendar

• General Academic Requirements and Regulations
• Admission and Matriculation
• Eligibility
• Course Credit
• Registration
• Residence Credit
• Graduate Grading
• Assistantships and Fellowships
• Tuition and Other Charges
• Graduation
• Medical Issues
• Withdrawal from the University
• Policies and Procedures
• Students as Faculty
• Certificate Programs
• Dual Degree Programs

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degree
• Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Graduation

Students must notify The Graduate School of their plan to graduate by submitting an Application for Graduation no later than the deadline shown in the University Registrar’s Calendar for the semester in which they expect to graduate. Applications are valid for one semester only. If a student does not graduate in the semester expected, s/he must submit another application for graduation in a future semester.

Students in officially recognized dual degree programs, other than the MD-PhD program, must apply to graduate for both degrees at the same time, even if the requirements for one degree are completed sooner than the second degree. Academic programs are asked to provide flexibility so students may be able to walk ceremoniously with their cohort even if they do not earn the degree that semester. See Dual Degree Programs for additional information.

Master’s and doctoral degrees are awarded at the end of each semester and the second summer session. Formal commencement exercises are held in May and December.

All students receiving their degrees in May are encouraged to participate in the May commencement ceremony. All students receiving their degrees in August and December are encouraged to participate in the December commencement ceremony.

Doctoral students are also encouraged to participate in the Hooding Ceremony, held in May only, recognizing those who are graduating in May or those who graduated in the prior most recent December or August terms. Students planning to participate should contact the Graduate School.

Although students must be registered in the semester in which they defend, they need not be registered in the semester in which the degree is to be awarded, provided that no use of University faculty time or facilities is required, and as long as they were registered appropriately in prior terms, unless other conditions (employment, immigration, etc.) require registration.