Ph.D/Ed.D. Degree-Completion Check List

Ph.D/Ed.D. Degree-Completion Checklist - print version (pdf)

Doctoral Degree Completion Timeline - click here 

The following Graduate School requirements are to be completed in the following order.  To help you keep track of your degree completion requirements, check off each step when completed, and retain this check list for your reference.  For additional information about Graduate School requirements, refer to the current Graduate School Catalog.  **Be sure to contact your graduate program office concerning additional, program-specific requirements.**

  Step 1:  Maintain active student status by registering in the Graduate School every fall and spring term (including the term in which you complete all requirements and clear for your degree.)
  Step 2:  File your Degree Program form with the Graduate School (316 Johnston)

• The Degree Program form is available in 316 Johnston, and online.
• Check with your graduate office regarding program-specific deadlines for submission of the Degree Program form.
• The Graduate School must receive your Degree Program form at least one term prior to the term during which you intend to take your preliminary oral examination. 
• Your Degree Program must be approved by the Graduate School for you to be authorized to take your preliminary oral examination.

  Step 3:  File your Preliminary Written Examination Report, signed by your adviser(s) and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), with the Graduate School (316 Johnston)

• The Preliminary Written Examination Report is available in 316 Johnston, or online.
• The signed Preliminary Written Examination form must be on file with the Graduate School for you to be authorized to take your preliminary oral examination.

  Step 4:  Notify the Graduate School of  your preliminary oral examination date, Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling with the Graduate School is available online and must be completed at least one week in advance of your examination

• The Preliminary Oral Examination Scheduling information page form lists the requirements that must be met in order for the Graduate School to authorize your examination.
• Graduate School staff will send you an e-mail notification of your exam’s authorization status.

  Step 5:  Return the Preliminary Oral Examination Report form, signed by your committee members, to the Graduate School (316 Johnston) within one business day following your examination

• Eligibility for thesis credit registration (xxxx-8888) is dependent upon the Graduate School’s receipt of the examination form verifying that you passed the examination (including pass with reservations).
• You can begin to register for thesis credits the term after passing the preliminary oral examination (including pass with reservations).

  Step 6:  File your Thesis/Project Proposal form with the Graduate School (316 Johnston)

• The Thesis/Project Proposal form is available in 316 Johnston or online.
• Per Graduate School guidelines, the Thesis/Project Proposal form should be submitted the term after passing the preliminary oral examination. 
• The Thesis/Project Proposal form must be approved by the Graduate School in order for you to obtain the Graduation Packet (see #7).

  Step 7:  Obtain your Graduation Packet from the Graduate School (316 Johnston)

• About one semester before your final oral examination, obtain the Graduation Packet in 316 Johnston, or request online.

  Step 8:  Complete the following per your Graduation Packet instructions

  Step 8a    Final Oral Examination Scheduling with the Graduate School is available online and must be completed at least one week in advance of your examination.

• The Final Oral Examination Scheduling information page lists the requirements that must be met for the Graduate School to authorize your examination.
• Graduate School staff will send you an e-mail notification of your exam’s authorization status to your U of M email address.

  Step 8b    Submission of the Reviewers’ Report form to the Graduate School (316 Johnston), signed by your reviewers, is among the requirements that must be met prior to release of the Final Examination Report form and the Graduate School’s authorization for you to take your final examination.
  Step 8c    The Graduate Application for Degree form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the first business day of the month you intend to graduate.

  Step 9:  Submit the Final Oral Examination Report form, signed by your committee, to the
                       Graduate School (316 Johnston)

• The signed Final Oral Examination Report form must be submitted by the last business day of the month you intend to graduate.

  Step 10:  Submit your completed dissertation/project and ensure that all remaining degree requirements are met by the last working day of the month you intend to graduate (see Graduation Instructions sheet, included in your graduation packet, for further details on these forms).  Be sure to submit the following: 

  Step 10a  Your dissertation/project, submitted online
  Step 10b  The publishing fee, paid online with dissertation/project submission
  Step 10c  One signature page signed by your adviser, submitted to 316 Johnston
  Step 10d  One copy of the title page of your dissertation/project, submitted to 316 Johnston
  Step 10e  Deposit Agreement for the Digital Conservancy, available online, submitted to 316 Johnston
  Step 10f   The University of Minnesota Survey of Earned Doctorates (UMNSED), completed online.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COMMENCEMENT ATTENDANCE: 
Commencement attendance does not imply that you have completed all degree requirements and officially graduated.  For information specifically related to eligibility requirements and deadlines for attending the Graduate School commencement ceremony, please refer to the Graduate School’s Commencement Attendance Approval form, available in your graduation packet and online.