May Commencement Eligibility Requirements

• Students pursuing a Ph.D. must successfully defend their thesis and submit an approved final thesis to the Graduate School by a published deadline (to be determined) that would provide sufficient time for confirmation, to be cleared for their diploma. For special circumstances, students who have defended successfully, but have not yet submitted their final thesis to the Graduate School may petition the Office of the Registrar to participate in the commencement exercises, but will not receive a diploma. In this case, a signed letter from the Thesis Adviser and the Degree Clearance Officer is required with approval from the Dean of Graduate Education to participate in the commencement exercises.
• Students pursuing a Master's Degree that requires a thesis or project must follow the Ph.D. student requirements.
• Students pursuing a Master's Degree that does not require a thesis or project will be cleared for their diploma and allowed to participate in commencement exercises if all graduation requirements are completed prior to commencement exercises.
• Students pursuing an MBA must complete all graduation requirements prior to the commencement exercises to be cleared for their diploma and allowed to participate in the commencement exercises. 

Note: Diplomas are mailed to students after commencement exercises to the address entered during the graduation application process.