Graduation Requirements and Commencement Deadlines

*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. However, if a student is able to complete everything by the term degree award deadline, the DSS enrollment for the next semester will be withdrawn.

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.

Masters Checklist   [ 109k]
Doctoral Checklist   [ 100k]

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.

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. Per approval, the Graduate School will register you for 1 credit hour.

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 ($20.00 Masters/$75.00 Doctoral) will be assessed to your student account.

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.

Additional details about Commencement >>