Deadlines
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 Doctoral Defense FAQs for information about how to request a Final Oral Examination and the procedure for holding it.
No defenses can be held when the University is closed. Please see the Academic Calendar for University Closings.
No defenses can be held when the University is closed. Please see the Academic Calendar for University Closings.
Fall 2025
PhD PRIORITY Deadlines – Fall 2025
Refer to Priority Deadlines FAQs. International students should also review ISSO information about Priority Deadlines.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2025 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| September 16, 2025 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| September 30, 2025 | Last day to hold a final oral exam * |
| October 7, 2025 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| October 14, 2025 – 12 p.m. (noon) | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Master’s PRIORITY Deadlines – Fall 2025
Refer to Priority Deadlines FAQs. International students should also review ISSO information about Priority Deadlines.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2025 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| October 2, 2025 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| October 14, 2025 – 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
PhD REGULAR Deadlines – Fall 2025
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2025 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| October 1, 2025 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| October 28, 2025 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| November 11, 2025 | Last day to hold a final oral exam* |
| November 18, 2025 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| December 4, 2025 – 12 p.m. (noon) | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Master’s REGULAR Deadlines – Fall 2025
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2025 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| October 1, 2025 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Fall 2025 |
| November 25, 2025 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| December 9, 2025 – 12 p.m. (noon) | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Spring 2026
Blackout dates between Fall 2025 and Spring 2026: Dec. 8 – Jan. 2, with the earliest defense date on Jan. 5, 2026. All submissions for defenses held Jan. 5-9 must be submitted no later than Dec. 12, 2025. The University will be closed for Winter Break, December 22 – January 1.
PhD PRIORITY Deadlines – Spring 2026
Refer to Priority Deadlines FAQs. International students should also review ISSO information about Priority Deadlines.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| February 10, 2026 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| February 24, 2026 | Last day to hold a final oral exam * |
| March 3, 2026 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| March 10, 2026 – 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Master’s PRIORITY Deadlines – Spring 2026
Refer to Priority Deadlines FAQs. International students should also review ISSO information about Priority Deadlines.
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| February 26, 2026 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| March 12, 2026 – 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
PhD REGULAR Deadlines – Spring 2026
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| March 1, 2026 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| March 31, 2026 | Last day to request a final oral exam ** |
| April 14, 2026 | Last day to hold a final oral exam* |
| April 21, 2026 | Last day to upload dissertation for final review |
| May 5, 2026 – 12pm NOON | Last day to have your dissertation approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Master’s REGULAR Deadlines – Spring 2026
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Priority Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| March 1, 2026 | Final Graduation Application Deadline for Spring 2026 |
| April 23, 2026 | Last day to upload thesis for review by Graduate Education Office |
| May 7, 2026 – 12pm NOON | Last day to have your thesis approved by the Office of Graduate Education |
Notes
For University deadline dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
No defenses can be held when the University is closed. Please see the Academic Calendar for University closings.
**All requests for Final Oral Exam must be submitted two weeks prior to the scheduled defense date.