Doctoral Degree Completion Deadlines

Getting ready to graduate? See our doctoral graduation checklist to be sure you have what is needed to graduate on time. 

Summer 2026

The Division of Graduate Studies is transitioning to a new system for processing graduation applications in July 2026. For approximately the first two weeks of July, students will not be able to submit applications, so we encourage anyone planning to graduate Summer term to submit their application before July 1st. 

  • Deadline to submit an application for advanced degree in GradWeb: June 30
  • System downtime - no applications can be submitted: July 1-15
  • New Grad Student Portal goes live: July 16
  • Deadline to submit an application to graduate in the Grad Student Portal (extended to week 5 due to system downtime): July 26
  • Deadline to petition for late application to graduate if the July 26 deadline is missed: August 7
  • Last day to provide a draft of the dissertation to your committee: 3 weeks prior to defense
    • This is the university's generally expected timeframe. Check with your department and/or committee for their specific requirements.
  • Last day to file application for dissertation defense: 2 weeks prior to defense
    • Students should start the application 3-4 weeks before defense to allow sufficient time for committee members and program to approve. 
  • Last day to hold dissertation defense: Aug 21
  • Last day for dissertation committee to certify results of defense: 2 weeks after defense
    • Instructions will be sent to committee members prior to the defense
  • Last day to upload your completed and committee-approved dissertation to the Division of Graduate Studies: 2 weeks after defense
  • Last day for department to approve graduation requests in Slate: Sept 22
  • Official degree conferral date (the date of your degree as it will appear on your transcript and diploma): Sept 12

Fall 2026

  • Priority deadline to submit an application to graduate in the Grad Student Portal: October 25
  • Deadline to petition for late application to graduate if the priority deadline is missed: November 13
  • Last day to provide a draft of the dissertation to your committee: 3 weeks prior to defense
    • This is the university's generally expected timeframe. Check with your department and/or committee for their specific requirements.
  • Last day to file application for dissertation defense: 2 weeks prior to defense
    • Students should start the application 3-4 weeks before defense to allow sufficient time for committee members and program to approve. 
  • Last day to hold dissertation defense: November 27
  • Last day for dissertation committee to certify results of defense: 2 weeks after defense
    • Instructions will be sent to committee members prior to the defense
  • Last day to upload your completed and committee-approved dissertation to the Division of Graduate Studies: 2 weeks after defense
  • Last day for department to approve graduation requests in Slate: December 22
  • Official degree conferral date (the date of your degree as it will appear on your transcript and diploma): December 14