Checklist for Graduating Students
Application for Advanced Degree
All M.S. and Ph.D. candidates must submit a signed Application for Advanced Degree to the UD Office of Graduate & Professional Education (Grad Office). The application deadlines are in mid-September for Fall candidates, mid-December for Winter candidates, mid-February for Spring candidates, and mid-May for Summer candidates. Once you have completed the form and obtained your committee members’ signatures, present this form to the department Graduate Secretary to obtain the department chairman’s signature. A copy of the signed document will be kept for your student file and the original will be returned to you to submit to the Grad Office along with the appropriate fee (M.S. $35). Note: if you anticipate completing your degree requirements one semester and it is delayed for any reason, you do NOT have to resubmit this form or fee.
Thesis/Dissertation Draft Submission
A copy of the thesis or dissertation draft (pre-defense copy) must be submitted to your committee at least two weeks prior to your defense. The University Thesis and Dissertation Manual must be followed.
Defense Announcement Form
The defense announcement form provides details so that an announcement can be prepared and distributed prior to your defense. For MS students, please use the Thesis Defense Announcement Form. For PhD students, please use the Dissertation Defense Announcement Form.This form must be submitted two weeks prior to the defense.
Results of the Defense
For MS Students, please complete and submit the Results of the M.S. Defense Form should be submitted to the Education and Outreach Coordinator.
For PhD Students, complete and submit the Certification of Doctoral Dissertation Defense Form. A copy of the completed form should be given to the Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Approval/Signature Pages – Preparation
Follow the guidelines provided in the Thesis and Dissertation Manual for preparation. Three copies on 25% bond paper (preferably UD watermark) will be required by the Grad Office. One additional copy is required for the department’s bound copy. Other copies should be prepared at the same time if needed for advisor, committee members, or family member copies. Note: The name and title of Deans and Vice Provosts change from time to time. Check the current names and titles first.
Approval/Signature Pages – Obtaining Signatures
You are responsible for obtaining your committee members’ signatures prior to bringing the signature pages to the main office (Graduate Secretary) for the chairman’s signature. After the Department Chair signs the forms, the signature pages and a draft copy of the thesis will be delivered to the Dean’s Office for his review and signature.
Final Submission to the Grad Office
After receiving the Dean’s signature, three copies of the title page, three copies of the abstract, and all signature pages must be submitted to the Grad Office for their approval and the final signatures. An appointment should be made with their office in advance. During this meeting, you will be provided with instructions for uploading your document as a PDF (electronic submission). Please note the deadlines on Graduate & Professional Education web site.
Binding
When the Grad Office accepts the final submission with no changes requested, copies of the thesis/dissertation can be printed on 25% bond paper (preferably UD watermark). Copies can be delivered to the Perkins Bookstore to go out for binding. Funding for this process needs to be decided in advance between the student and the advisor. One bound copy is required for the department library. The department will pay for this copy. Other copies may be prepared at the same time, i.e. for advisors, committee members, family members, student, etc. The department graduate secretary is available to assist with printing services as long as adequate time is allowed.
Commencement/Convocation Ceremonies
A Commencement Brochure is prepared and distributed by the Office of Graduate & Professional Education by the end of April with complete instructions.
Keys
Please be sure to turn in all UD building keys (labs, offices, specials) in order to avoid a hold on your diploma and transcripts.
Please reference the Grad Office website for complete details on university graduation requirements.
