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Doctoral Progress to Degree
This page should be used as a guide/outline during your progress to degree. Please pay attention to the key dates and deadlines, which are posted below. For details about degree requirement, please see the Graduate Bulletin.
Deadlines/Commencement Dates
Spring 2014
- February 3 - Graduation Application Deadline
- April 8 - Defense Deadline
- April 8 - Format Check Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- April 18 - Final Submission Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- May 9 - Master's & Professional Ceremony - 3:00pm (Participating Schools/Colleges)
- May 10 - Master's & Professional Ceremony - 9:30am (Participating Schools/Colleges)
- May 10 - Doctoral Hooding Ceremony - 1:00pm
- May 10 - Master's & Professional Ceremony - 3:00pm (Participating Schools/Colleges)
Summer 2014
- June 17 - Graduation Application Deadline
- July 9 - Format Check Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- July 9 - Defense Deadline
- July 21 - Final Submission Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- August 9 - Doctoral Hooding Ceremony – 8:30am Koger Center for the Arts
- August 9 - Master's & Professional Ceremony – 10:30am
Fall 2014
- September 11 - Graduation Application Deadline
- November 14 - Format Check Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- November 14 - Defense Deadline
- November 25 - Final Submission Deadline, Thesis/Dissertation
- December 15 - Doctoral Hooding Ceremony - 1:30pm Koger Center for the Arts
- December 15 - Master's & Professional Ceremony - 3:30pm Colonial Life Arena
Choose Your Committee
Your Advisory, Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Committees may be appointed at the same time.
COMPLETE ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY PROCEDURES
Take the Qualifying Exam and submit your approved Program of Study (POS) to The Graduate School. If needed, you may file a program adjustment form to request changes to your original POS.
PASS COMP EXAM/ FULFILL LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
You must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination conducted by your academic program under the direction of your Written and Oral Comprehensive Examination Committee. Language and research methods requirements for the doctoral degree vary from program to program.
Apply for Graduation
In your final term of study, submit your application for graduation to The Graduate School.
Submit Draft/Schedule Defense
Submit a draft of your dissertation to your advisor and committee members and schedule dissertation defense. Submit your Dissertation Defense Announcement at least 14 days prior to defense, using the Graduate Management System (GMS).
Check Format/Defend Dissertation
Submit your dissertation draft to the Graduate School for a preliminary format check. In order to submit your draft, you will create an account with the UMI/Proquest site. (This is the site you will use to submit your final approved dissertation.) Complete your dissertation defense, and make any final revisions required by your Committee and The Graduate School. Visit the Thesis & Dissertation portal to view the format guide, ETD samples, templates, and instructions on how to submit your document.
SUBMIT APPROVAL FORM/COMPLETE SURVEY
Submit your Dissertation Signature and Approval to The Graduate School in hard copy. Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates.
SUBMIT DISSERTATION
Submit your final approved dissertation via the ETD process.
Graduate
Congratulations, you made it!