Doctoral Graduation Checklist Fall 2026
The following checklist will help to guide you through the process of completing the requirements for degree conferral. You should refer to the graduation information on the Registrar's website and maintain contact with your thesis committee and Graduate Program Director throughout the semester for information and any changes in deadlines.
PhD Graduation Checklist Fall 2026
| Deadline | Requirement | Details | Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 14- August 21st, 2026 | Register for Fall 2026 | You must be registered for 999 Dissertation during the semester in which you deposit your dissertation. Late registration fees may apply after the registration deadline. | Fall calendar: https://registrar.gmu.edu/calendars-2/fall_2026/ How to register: https://registrar.gmu.edu/students/registration/ *Dissertation students will likely need to contact their department for a CRN for registration |
| April 15th- September 30th, 2026 | File Graduation Intent, update contact and review graduation policies |
Submit a Graduation Intent through PatriotWeb. Become familiar with all graduation policies on the Registrar's graduation website. Questions may be directed to chssgrad@gmu.edu. Verify and update your mailing address, phone number, and email address in PatriotWeb. |
Apply to graduate: https://registrar.gmu.edu/students/graduation/process/ Diploma and Mailing: https://registrar.gmu.edu/students/graduation/diploma-2/ |
| Monday November 2, 2026 (by 5:00 p.m.) | Dissertation Format Review Submission | Submit thesis documents for format review to University Dissertation & Thesis Services (UDTS) at udts@gmu.edu. | Format: https://udts.gmu.edu/process/#step2 |
| As Early as Possible | Schedule Dissertation Defense | Select and schedule a defense date with your dissertation committee. | |
| At Least 21 Days Before Defense | Submit Defense Information and abstract | Provide your department with your approved abstract, name, department, dissertation title, committee chair, defense date, time, and location. | Your department will need to officially submit the defense in CHSS web no later than 21 days prior and the defense must occur prior to final submission deadlines to graduate. *Please be sure to also be aware of your departmental procedures for dissertation review and defenses as they may have additional rules that need to be adhered to. |
| Wednesday December 2nd, 2026 (by 5:00 p.m.) | Pass Format Review | UDTS has reviewed and approved your document’s formatting through the Format Review, defense should have occurred and finalizing for final submission. | |
| Friday December 4th, 2026 (by 5:00 p.m.) | Complete final submission | Turn in an electronic/”soft” copy (i.e., not printed) of the final version of their Dissertation to UDTS. Turn in 1 copy of their Signature Sheet, signed–in black ink–by everyone listed under “Committee:” Complete and submit the online Transmittal Sheet. Complete and submit the online Embargo Intent Statement Complete and submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates. Submit their dissertation to ProQuest via the Administrator. |
Submission: https://udts.gmu.edu/process/#step3 |
| December 8th, 2026 | Resolve Incomplete Grades | Ensure all IP (In Progress) and IN (Incomplete) grades are resolved. | Work with your instructor and department to resolve. |
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all required approvals are obtained by the submission deadline and that required paperwork is included with the dissertation submission. The student is solely responsible for insuring that all necessary materials are submitted to the University Library by the submission deadline.
If you are unable to finish your degree requirements in time to graduate in fall 2026 you will need to withdraw your graduation application, register for the requisite credits and file a new intent to graduate for spring 2027