Graduation Deadlines

It is ultimately your responsibility to have all requirements completed and meet all the deadlines for graduation. Please make sure you know the deadlines for the Graduate College as well as for the College of Musical Arts. Graduate College deadlines can be found on the Degree Candidates Deadlines page through the Graduate College website.

The following are deadlines for submitting the final copy of a composition, thesis or dissertation and completing a comprehensive exam. Please do not request extensions of these dates. They are non-negotiable. The purpose of maintaining these deadlines is to guarantee that final projects of the highest possible quality are achieved and that you can graduate on time.

All thesis/dissertation forms and other Graduate College forms are found on the Graduate College Documents and Forms Web page.    

Master's students completing Plan II (non-thesis) degree requirements will use the forms found here:
MUED/MUCT Masters Plan II Form
MUSP Masters Plan II Form

Deadlines for Fall 2026 graduation (December)

• May 22, 2026: Dissertation Topic Approval to Assistant Dean
• July 24, 2026: Thesis Topic Approval to Assistant Dean
• September 18, 2026: Graduation application due
• Two weeks before scheduled exam date: Plan II Portfolio electronically submitted to your committee
• October 23, 2026: Suggested Thesis/Dissertation defense deadline         
• October 30, 2026: Thesis/Dissertation to Grad Coordinator
• November 6, 2026: Thesis/Dissertation defense/manuscript approval form       
• November 13, 2026: OhioLINK upload of final thesis/dissertation document
• November 24, 2026: Final Degree Recital Date (MUSP students)
• December 4, 2026: Last day for Plan II comprehensive/portfolio exams
• December 11, 2026: Plan II Exam results and summary submitted
• December 11, 2026: Commencement

Deadlines for Spring 2027 graduation (April/May)

• September 4, 2026: Dissertation Topic Approval to Grad Coordinator                      
• December 4, 2026: Thesis Topic Approval to Grad Coordinator                               
• February 5, 2027: Graduation application due                                                       
• Two weeks before scheduled exam date: Plan II Portfolio electronically submitted to your committee   
• March 12, 2027: Suggested Thesis/Dissertation defense deadline                                
• March 19, 2027: Thesis/Dissertation to Grad Coordinator                                  
• March 26, 2027: Thesis/Dissertation defense/manuscript approval form                  
• April 2, 2027: OhioLINK upload of final thesis/dissertation document            
• April 16, 2027: Final Degree Recital Date (MUSP students)                               
• April 23, 2027: Last day for Plan II comprehensive/portfolio exams                  
• April 30, 2027: Plan II Exam results and summary submitted                             
• April 30, 2027: Commencement                                                                        

dates are subject to change without notice