Graduation Deadlines | Duke Graduate School

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Graduation Deadlines

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Last updated December 29, 2016

Graduating in September 2017		Graduating in December 2017		Graduating in May 2018
Thursday June 15, 2017		Sunday October 15, 2017		Thursday January 25, 2018		Deadline to apply for graduation Log into Duke Hub and click on the "Forms and Requests" tab. Then click the "Apply for Graduation" button. The graduation list submitted to the Office of Special Events and University Ceremonies is generated from the Apply for Graduation forms. If you applied to graduate in the previous term but did not graduate, you will need to apply again for the current term.

Monday July 10, 2017		Monday November 6, 2017		Friday March 16, 2018		Deadline for initial submission of electronic doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis The initial submission must take place at least two weeks before your defense and no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. Note: If you submit your initial dissertation/thesis on the deadline date, you cannot defend until 14 days after that. Initial submission of the dissertation or thesis means that the document is complete. We will not check the format of an incomplete document.
After you submit your electronic dissertation or thesis to UMI/ProQuest, you will receive an e-mail from The Graduate School within two business days informing you of any formatting problems. When you receive the e-mail (and not before), follow the link in the e-mail to schedule a time to meet with The Graduate School staff member who contacted you about formatting issues after your initial submission. We must receive the letter from your adviser confirming that your dissertation is complete and ready to defend, as well as the departmental defense announcement before we can release your final examination certificate. You must come to The Graduate School (2127 Campus Drive) to pick up your final examination certificate before your defense. At this appointment you will receive your final examination certificate, and doctoral candidates will have the opportunity to fill out our exit survey.

Monday July 24, 2017		Monday November 20, 2017		Monday April 2, 2018		Final Deadline to defend your dissertation or master's thesis Final day to hold the Ph.D. dissertation or Master’s thesis defense to receive the degree.

Monday August 7, 2017		Monday December 4, 2017		Monday April 16, 2018		Deadline for final submission of electronic dissertation or thesis 3:00 p.m.: All defended, completed PhD dissertations and master’s theses must be submitted to UMI/ProQuest. 5:00 p.m.: All PhD final exam cards and master’s final exam cards (both master’s with thesis and non-thesis master’s) must be submitted to The Graduate School. Note: The departments for all students getting a non-thesis master’s degree (this includes the master’s on the way to the Ph.D.) must submit a Non-Thesis Master’s Examination Card, signed by their examining committee and the director of graduate studies, to The Graduate School by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.