Final Oral Examinations can be held remotely or in person. The Office of Graduate Education has put in place procedures to ensure that students are able to defend their dissertations. Please see the FAQs (pdf) for information about how to request a Final Oral Examination and the procedure for holding it.
Black out dates are dates when PhD defenses cannot be held. Black out dates between Summer 2023 and Fall 2023: August 7-11.
No defenses can be held when the University is closed. Please see the Academic Calendar for University Closings.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2023 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| September 12, 2023 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| September 26, 2023 | Last day to hold a final oral exam * |
| October 3, 2023 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| October 10, 2023 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2023 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| September 28, 2023 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| October 10, 2023 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2023 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| October 1, 2023 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| October 26, 2023 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| November 9, 2023 | Last day to hold a final oral exam* |
| November 16, 2023 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| December 5, 2023 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2023 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| October 1, 2023 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2023 |
| November 28, 2023 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| December 7, 2023 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Black out dates between Summer 2023 and Fall 2023: August 7- 11.
Black out dates between Fall 2023 and Spring 2024: Dec. 11- Jan. 7, with the earliest defense date on Jan. 8, 2024. All submissions for defenses held Jan. 8-12 must be submitted no later than Dec. 11, 2023. The submission website will be closed for Winter Break December 25 - January 1.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2024 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| February 6, 2024 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| February 20, 2024 | Last day to hold a final oral exam * |
| February 27, 2024 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| March 5, 2024 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2024 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| February 22, 2024 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| March 7, 2024 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2024 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| March 1, 2024 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| March 26, 2024 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| April 9, 2024 | Last day to hold a final oral exam* |
| April 16, 2024 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| April 30, 2024 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2024 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| March 1, 2024 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2024 |
| April 18, 2024 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| May 2, 2024 - 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
There are no black out dates between the Spring and Summer semesters.
There is no Priority Deadline schedule in the Summer semester.
For University deadline dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
*May NOT conduct Final Oral Exam when the University is closed for business. It also may not start after 4:00pm.
**All requests for Final Oral Exam must be submitted two weeks prior to the scheduled defense date.
What does graduating following the Priority Deadlines mean?
Starting Fall 2020, a Priority Deadline schedule will replace the In Absentia option for doctoral and master’s candidates. Priority Deadlines allow more time for candidates to complete all dissertation or thesis requirements without enrolling in courses.
Students who apply to graduate before the graduation application deadline may elect not to enroll in any semester credit hours. Ordinarily, students must be registered for the semester in which they graduate. The Priority Deadlines allow candidates to apply to graduate without formally enrolling in courses.
Why graduate following the Priority Deadlines?
Doctoral and master’s candidates who do not make the semester deadlines for finalizing their dissertation or thesis and need additional time to complete requirements may benefit from the Priority Deadlines. Also, students who wish to graduate early in their intended graduation semester have the option to graduate following the Priority Deadlines.
PhD Candidates who follow the Priority Deadlines can request an immediate Certification Letter from the Office of Graduate Education after meeting all dissertation requirements. Both master’s students and PhD candidates can also receive a guaranteed one-on-one formatting session with a Graduate Reader prior to the Initial Submission Deadline, upon request.
Who is eligible to graduate following the Priority Deadline schedule?
This is an option available to both doctoral and master’s candidates. Students following the Priority Deadlines must meet the following criteria:
What happens if I don’t meet the Priority Deadlines?
When will I receive my diploma?
What is the procedure to graduate following the Priority Deadlines?
For more information on Priority Deadline Graduation for international students, please visit the International Student Services Office.