PhD/EdD Last day to defend if participating in ceremony
Nov 18
Apr 13
PhD/EdD ETD Submission Date if participating in ceremony
Dec 9
May 4
PhD/EdD All requirements must be met if participating in ceremony
All EdS and Masters candidates are allowed to attend the commencement ceremonies.
Dec 7
May 2
Jun 28
Aug 9
Masters/Doctoral Last day to defend, without next semester enrollment*
Dec 23
May 16
Jul 12
Aug 23
ETD Submission Date
Jan 20
Jun 8
Aug 3
Sep 14
Degree Completion Deadline** (ETD must be approved by the Graduate School and all other requirements must be met)
*Students may defend after the last day of classes,
but because it is very unlikely that the degree can be completed for
the semester degree award, they will automatically be enrolled for Defending
Student Status (DSS) of 1 credit for the following term.
**If Degree Completion Deadline is not met, degree
award will be in the subsequent term and Defending Student Status (DSS)
will be assessed for the completion term.
Completion Checklists
Deadlines have been established to ensure that successful candidates complete all requirements so that they can be listed in the Commencement Bulletin, participate in Graduate Commencement, and receive their diplomas in a timely manner. Use the checklists and information below for guidance.
After you have filed your application for degree (AFD), an electronic Progress to Degree Checklist will be viewable on HokieSPA, Degree Menu and updated as you complete the checklist items. Please allow processing time for items to be updated.
Completion Guidelines
Registration During Your Last Semester A minimum 3 credit hours registration is required in your last semester if you do not qualify for defending student status.
Legal Name
The name printed on the diploma will be the full legal name entered on
your official University record. Name
changes must be submitted to
the Graduate School before the deadline to submit your Application
for Degree. View the name change instructions for details.
Application for Degree Electronically submit Application for Degree (AFD) and/or Application
for Certificate Conferral (ACC) online using HokieSPA by
deadline listed above. An AFD must be submitted by the deadline
for your name to appear in the Commencement Bulletin. PHD and EDD
students must also include their dissertation titles when submitting the
AFD for their names to appear in the bulletin. Without this title, your
name will not be listed. The information entered electronically is used
to order your diploma so please ensure that the information is correct.
An AFD fee ($25.00) will be assessed to your student account.
Term of completion change
It is the student's responsibility to submit an AFD for the term of completion.
If the degree requirements are not completed during the semester indicated
on the AFD, the student will need to submit a new AFD for the appropriate term.
Final Exam Checklist
The final exam checklist will assist you in reviewing your student record to ensure you have completed all items prior to submitting your final exam form.
Defending Student Status (DSS)
If defending within the dates for defending student status as listed
above, you will need to submit the Defending
Student Status form with the Request
to be Admitted to the Final Exam form to the Graduate School at
least two weeks prior to your defense date. After your defending student status request is approved, the Graduate
School will register you for 1 credit hour. Visit the Bursar's Office website for information about defending student status fees.
Final Exam Request Form The Request
to Admit Candidate to Final Exam form must
be signed and submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to
your desired defense date. For Masters Thesis and Doctoral students, when your final exam request is approved, the ETD archiving fee of $20 will be assessed to your student account. Doctoral students will be assessed a $65 UMI/ProQuest abstract archiving fee in addition to the VT archiving fee.
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Submission Following the Defense of the thesis/dissertation, submit your Thesis and
Dissertation Approval Form with original signatures and upload your
ETD within 2 weeks of your Defense. Submit any applicable
supporting documentation for the ETD (such as copyright permission letters
to reproduce items, IRB approval or exemption notices, UMI form, Survey
of Earned Doctorates) to the Graduate School within 2 weeks of your defense
as well.
To Attend Commencement Master's candidates finishing degree requirements, as listed above,
are welcome to attend fall and spring commencement.
Doctoral candidates must have completed all requirements for the degree by the
dates listed above to participate in the doctoral hooding ceremony.
Please use the Degree menu on HokieSPA to
confirm your plans to attend. Please see the deadlines and checklists above for
details.
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