Degree Candidates Deadlines

The deadlines below are Graduate College deadlines.  Individual programs may establish earlier deadlines or guidelines for associated activities (e.g., signing up for comprehensive exams, submitting preliminary drafts of theses and dissertations, final examinations, etc.)  Please refer to the relevant program handbook or consult with your graduate coordinator. Students are reminded to work ahead of these deadlines to avoid delaying graduation. 

Fall Semester 2026

Friday, May 29, 2026Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** 
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Graduation application available online 
Friday, July 31, 2026 Approval of thesis topic **
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026Graduation application deadline 
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026Completed Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Manuscript Approval Form. Students should plan to defend 2 weeks prior to this deadline to allow for revisions/approvals. 
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation 
Friday, Dec. 11, 2026Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony
Friday, Dec. 11, 2026Results of capstone experience for Plan II Master’s and Specialist programs (Submitted by Program Coordinator if not reflected in graded course)

Spring Semester 2027

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** 
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026  
Graduation application available online 
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 Approval of thesis topic **
Friday, Feb. 5, 2027Graduation application deadline 
Friday, Mar. 26, 2027Completed Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Manuscript Approval Form. Students should plan to defend 2 weeks prior to this deadline to allow for revisions/approvals. 
Friday, Apr. 2, 2027OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation 
Friday, Apr. 30, 2027Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony
Friday, Apr. 30, 2027Results of capstone experience for Plan II Master’s and Specialist programs (Submitted by Program Coordinator if not reflected in graded course)

Summer Semester 2027

Friday, Jan. 22, 2026Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** 
Monday, March 15, 2027Graduation application available online 
Friday, April 23, 2027 
Approval of thesis topic **
Friday, May 28, 2027Graduation application deadline 
Friday, July 2, 2027Completed Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Manuscript Approval Form. Students should plan to defend 2 weeks prior to this deadline to allow for revisions/approvals. 
Friday, July 9, 2027OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation 
Friday, Aug. 6, 2027Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony
Friday, Aug. 6, 2027Results of capstone experience for Plan II Master’s and Specialist programs (Submitted by Program Coordinator if not reflected in graded course)

Fall Semester 2027

Friday, May 28, 2026Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** 
Thursday, July 15, 2027Graduation application available online 
Friday, July 30, 2027 
Approval of thesis topic **
Friday, Sept. 17, 2027Graduation application deadline 
Friday, Nov. 5, 2027Completed Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Manuscript Approval Form. Students should plan to defend 2 weeks prior to this deadline to allow for revisions/approvals. 
Friday, Nov. 12, 2027OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation 
Friday, Dec. 10, 2027Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony
Friday, Dec. 10, 2027Results of capstone experience for Plan II Master’s and Specialist programs (Submitted by Program Coordinator if not reflected in graded course)

**Other topic approval deadlines may be acceptable if approved by the program.

The Graduate College reserves the right to change these dates if necessary.

Updated: 09/09/2026 05:21PM