Graduation Resources
Take the next steps to graduate.
Congratulations on nearing the completion of your degree! This page has resources that will help you prepare for graduation during your final semesters.
Advance to Candidacy
A student must be advanced to candidacy before they will be eligible to apply for graduation. Advancement to candidacy means that you have completed certain requirements with the School of Graduate Studies which indicate that you are ready to move forward with your thesis or dissertation. For more information on these requirements, please see the Guide to Graduation.
All forms are due to the School of Graduate Studies office by the deadlines listed below. DocuSign forms need to be started in advance of these deadlines to ensure all signatures are received in time. Forms received after the deadline may not be processed in time and may cause delays to your graduation timeline.
| Deadlines | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Advance to CandidacyTo be advanced to candidacy, you must be in approved status and have submitted the final applicable forms: Program of Study, Topic Proposal, Doctoral Comp Exam Results. |
Aug 30 | Jan 19 | May 24 |
2. Apply for Graduation |
Sept 29 | Feb 16 | Jun 21 |
3. Preliminary Approval and Notice of DefenseIf your defense is scheduled before this deadline, the Preliminary Approval and Notice of Defense must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Defense. |
Nov 16 | Apr 11 | Jul 5 |
4. Last Day to defend Thesis/DissertationForms to be completed after your defense for committee signatures:
|
Dec 1 | Apr 26 | Jul 19 |
5. Submit Final Reports and Thesis/Dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies |
Dec 7 | May 3 | Jul 25 |
6. Survey of Earned DoctoratesPhD Students Only |
Dec 7 | May 3 | Jul 25 |
7. Submit electronic PDF of Thesis/DissertationSubmit to UMI/ProQuest Publishing Once you electronically submit your final copy for publishing, no changes are made to the format or content. Therefore, the burden of how the manuscript looks is entirely the responsibility of the student author. |
Dec 7 | May 3 | Jul 25 |
8. Graduate Commencement Ceremony |
Dec 14 at 3 p.m. Chester Fritz Auditorium |
May 11 at 9 a.m. Alerus Center |
|
Apply for Graduation
Once you are ready to graduate, you will first need to apply for graduation in Campus Connection. This notifies the graduate school of your intent and starts final processes in our office to ensure you have met all of the graduation requirements so there are no last minute surprises.
Enrollment Requirements
Students must be registered for a minimum of one credit hour for the term in which they graduate. If you have registered for all the courses on your program of study, you may enroll in 996 Continuing Enrollment.
Finish Your Manuscript
There is a lot happening as you finish your manuscript, complete your defense and submit final requirements for graduation. The Thesis and Dissertation page will guide you through all of these final steps from the style and format of your manuscript to the paperwork required to defend and defense tips to submitting your manuscript for publishing.
Commencement
UND celebrates the achievements of our graduates three times a year with commencement ceremonies at the end of the fall, winter and summer terms. Students in on-campus programs are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony in-person. Students in online programs are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony either in-person or virtually. The School of Graduate Studies staff will reach out to online students regarding their options.
The office of Ceremonies & University Events has details on Commencement and information on ordering your academic regalia
Transcripts
After graduation, you may want a copy of your final transcript with your degree posted. You may order official transcripts through the Office of the Registrar.