Your Graduate Degree Timeline

Step	What to Do	When	Approved By
1: Orientation	Meet with your degree program Graduate Advisor to plan your course of study. Here is a link of advisors: Directors of Graduate Study	Before semester registration.	Graduate Advisor
2: Plan of Study	Together with your Advisor, prepare a Plan of Study. Use this form if the program does not have a specific form. Plan of Study.	Your advisor will tell you—but no later than your 12^th credit hour.	Graduate Advisor and other degree program faculty.
3a: Assessment Committee	Form a Comprehensive Assessment Committee. OR	Determined by individual degree program.	Graduate Advisor or Program Chair.
3b: Thesis/ Dissertation	If your program requires a thesis/ dissertation, select an advisor and at least two thesis committee members. (This committee takes the place of the Comprehensive Assessment Committee).	Determined by individual degree program.	Graduate advisor or Program Chair.
4: Plan for Graduation	The official graduation dates are: last day of final examinations in July; last day of final examinations in August; last day of final examinations in December; day of May Commencement for the spring semester. Marshall University observes two Commencement ceremonies. The spring ceremony honors students who complete their degree requirements between December and May and is held in May; The fall ceremony honors students who complete their degree requirements between May and December and is held in December. Doctoral degree candidates are invested with the academic hood signifying the appropriate degree during the Commencement ceremony. Doctoral candidates may invite a major professor, advisor or dissertation committee chair to participate in the hooding. Master’s and Education Specialist candidates wear academic hoods with regalia during the ceremony.	Before or at the beginning of your final semester.	Office of the Registrar
5: Apply for Graduation.	Application for Graduation.	Before or at the beginning of your final semester. For exact time see University Calendar	Graduate Advisor
6: Countdown to Commencement	Attend Countdown to Commencement for information about caps/gowns, announcements, rings etc.	November and March of each year. Announced by Registrar’s Office.	Office of the Registrar
7a: Comprehensive Examination	Submit your comprehensive examination approval. Comprehensive Assessment Evaluation Report OR	Determined by individual degree program.	Graduate Advisor
7b: Defend Thesis/Dissertation	Defend your thesis/dissertation and submit approval. ETD final submission form Upload your approved ETD to the ETD Administrator site.	Determined by individual degree program.	Thesis/Dissertation committee.