At the point of the submission and/or defense of the Thesis or Dissertation Proposal

To the Graduate Dean

A Proposal Filing Form is submitted to the Graduate Dean.  The Proposal Filing Form is on the Grad School 's website.  It should be downloaded, completed, and submitted electronically as a PDF file. 

Graduation Application Deadline (very early in the semester)

Registrar's Office

Apply for Graduation

Approximately two months and one week before Graduation (the Day of Commencement Events)

To each member of the Thesis or Dissertation Committee

Copies of the Thesis or Dissertation

Approximately six weeks before Graduation

Thesis or Dissertation Defense

As directed by the Department Chair, sometime between six weeks and five weeks before Graduation

To the Department Chair -- If the Dept Chair is a member of the Committee, less time is probably required

(1) A copy of the Thesis or Dissertation
(2) Necessary Signature Pages

THREE weeks before  Graduation

To the College Dean

(1) A copy of the Thesis or Dissertation
(2) Necessary Signature Pages

ONE week after Graduation

(1) To the Department Chair and/or Program Director
AND
(2) To the Graduate Dean, for final acceptance by the University, and for final degree certification

(1) A copy of the Thesis or Dissertation
(2) Necessary Signature Pages
(3) A PDF version of the Thesis or Dissertation
(4) A copy of the completed Thesis Binding Invoice form (found on the Grad School web site)
(5) A receipt for payment of binding fees ($10 per copy; paid to the Cashier's Office)
(6) For Dissertations : A completed UMI Abstract Publication form (on the Grad School web site)
(7) For Dissertations:   A check, made out to UMI, for $55 (this may change in the near future)

THREE weeks after Graduation

To the Library -- The student AND the department are jointly responsible

(1) Copies of the Thesis or Dissertation -- on bond paper -- for binding (the Library requires two, and the Department/College may require copies -- the Grad School would be pleased to receive a copy, but this is not required)
(2) A copy of the completed Thesis Binding Invoice form
(3) A receipt for payment of binding fees