Graduation Resources

graduation.
noun | grad·u·a·tion | \,gra-jə-'wā-shən\
: the awarding of degrees

More information is below.

commencement.
noun |com·mence·ment | \kə-'men(t)s-mənt\
: the ceremony during which diplomas are given

More information about University Commencement ceremonies is available on the Registrar's website.

 
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Graduation Information

A student cannot be awarded a degree or certificate without filing an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office and paying the appropriate graduation fees. The degree application is available in the Student Center of UAConnect and should be submitted for the semester in which the student expects to complete all requirements for the degree or certificate. For step by step instructions for applying to graduate, for instructions on how to change your date of graduation to a future term, and for application deadlines, please visit the Registrar’s Office website.

 

Degree Requirements

  • Complete all required courses within six years
  • Apply to graduate via UAConnect before the graduation deadline
  • Submit the Educational Specialist Advisory Committee form, consisting of a major adviser and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School immediately following or at the time of admission to the program of study
  • Complete all course work within six years
  • If applicable, transfer credit form and official transcript must be submitted to the Graduate School before the date of graduation for the semester of graduation
  • Apply to graduate via UAConnect before the graduation deadline for the semester of graduation
  • Complete all degree requirements before the date of graduation
  • Submit the Master's Advisory Committee form, consisting of a major advisor and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School immediately following or at the time of admission to the program of study
  • Complete all master's degree program course work within six years
  • If applicable, transfer master's credit form and official transcript must be submitted to the Graduate School before the date of graduation for the semester of graduation
  • Apply to graduate via UAConnect before the graduation deadline for the semester of graduation
  • Pass master’s degree program comprehensive examination or defend project before the date of graduation for the semester of graduation. Master’s degree program comprehensive examinations should be scheduled at least one (1) week before the date of graduation
  • Complete all master's degree program requirements before the date of graduation
  • Submit the Master's Advisory Committee form, consisting of a major advisor and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School immediately following or at the time of admission to the program of study
  • Submit the Master’s Thesis Committee form, consisting of a thesis director and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School as soon as the committee has been selected but no later than three months prior to the date of the oral defense
  • Submit the Thesis/Dissertation Title form, consisting of the title of the thesis and approved by the thesis director, to the Graduate School as soon as the thesis topic has been established but no later than three months prior to the date of the oral defense
  • Complete all master's degree program requirements within six years
  • Register for a minimum of six semester hours of master’s thesis. Registration beyond six hours carries no degree credit. Consult your thesis director concerning registration for thesis. NOTE: The mark of “R” is the only acceptable mark reported when a thesis is in progress.
  • If applicable, transfer master's credit form and official transcript must be submitted to the Graduate School before the date of graduation for the semester of graduation
  • Apply to graduate via UAConnect before the graduation deadline for the semester of graduation
  • Defend thesis at least four weeks prior to the graduation date.
  • Begin the thesis pre-check process with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the thesis submission deadline (See Guide to Theses and Dissertations for more information)
  • Submit final approved thesis and thesis submission packet to the Graduate School no later than one week prior to the date of graduation (see Thesis & Dissertation Guidelines in the Graduation Information Section above)
  • Complete all master's degree program requirements before the date of graduation

Doctoral Students

 
  • Submit the Doctoral Advisory Committee form consisting of a major advisor and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School immediately following or at the time of admission to the program of study
  • Submit the Doctoral Dissertation Committee form, consisting of a dissertation director and at least two other members of the graduate faculty, to the Graduate School as soon as the committee has been selected but no later than three months prior to the date of the oral defense.
  • Submit the Thesis/Dissertation Title form, consisting of the title of the dissertation and approved by the thesis director, to the Graduate School as soon as the dissertation topic has been established but no later than three months prior to the date of the oral defense.
  • Submit the Candidacy Exam Notification Form once the doctoral student has passed candidacy. The Graduate School must be notified from the major adviser or department head.
  • Register for a minimum of 18 hours of doctoral dissertation. After passing candidacy examinations, doctoral students are required to be enrolled in a minimum of one hour of graded graduate coursework or dissertation credit each major semester (Fall and Spring), and Summer if it is the semester of graduation, until the doctoral student has graduated.
  • Complete all doctoral degree program requirements within seven years
  • Apply to graduate via UAConnect before the graduation deadline for the semester of graduation
  • Fill out Dissertation Defense Announcement at least two weeks prior to the date of defense
  • Defend dissertation at least four weeks prior to the graduation date.
  • Begin the dissertation pre-check process with the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the dissertation submission deadline (see Guide to Theses and Dissertations for more information)
  • Submit final approved dissertation and required dissertation submission packet to the Graduate School no later than one week prior to the date of graduation (see Thesis & Dissertation Guidelines in the Graduation Information Section above)
  • Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates
  • Complete all doctoral degree program requirements before the date of graduation