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.
Spring Semester 2026
| Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 | Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** |
| Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 |
Graduation application available online |
| Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 |
Approval of thesis topic ** |
| Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 |
Graduation application deadline |
| Friday, March 27, 2026 |
Completed Thesis/Dissertation Defense and Manuscript Approval Form. Students should plan to defend 2 weeks prior to this deadline to allow for revisions/approvals. |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 |
OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation |
| Friday, May 1, 2026 |
Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony |
Summer Semester 2026
| Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 | Approval of dissertation topic (Admission to doctoral candidacy) ** |
| Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
Graduation application available online |
| Friday, April 24, 2026 |
Approval of thesis topic ** |
| Friday, May 29, 2026 |
Graduation application deadline |
| Friday, July 3, 2026 |
Completed 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 10, 2026 |
OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation |
| Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 |
Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony |
Fall Semester 2026
| Friday, May 29, 2026 | Approval 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, 2026 |
Graduation application deadline |
| Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 |
Completed 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, 2026 |
OhioLINK upload of the approved, final copy of your master’s thesis/doctoral dissertation |
| Friday, Dec. 11, 2026 |
Doctoral Hooding and Graduate College Commencement Ceremony |
**Other topic approval deadlines may be acceptable if approved by the program.
Updated: 01/09/2026 03:46PM