Degree Completion and Graduation Process for Graduate Students

Apply to Graduate/Receive your Degree

Submit a graduation application to the Office of Graduate Studies.

• The application must be approved and signed by all appropriate faculty members (details in the application).

Graduation Application

Register for Credit

You must be registered for at least one graduate-level credit during the semester in which you intend to graduate (Graduate Enrollment Policy).

• Finishing a previous course with an 'IP' does not fulfull this requirement.
• Continous Registration is required for Doctoral Students.

Register for Credit: E-Services

Complete and Submit the Capstone

All graduate students (except those earning only a graduate certificate) must complete a capstone. Only the thesis or dissertation need to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. 

• Thesis/Dissertation Submission: Late submissions may delay graduation by a semester and require additional coursework. Review the deadlines.

How and Where to Submit a Thesis or Dissertation

• Capstones: Programs vary in their capstone requirements. Check with your program for specific options and guidelines. 

Capstones

Submit the Recommendation Form

All graduate students (except certificate-only students) must submit a signed recommendation form after their capstone is completed and approved by their department. 

Master's and Specialist Students Recommendation Form

Doctoral Students Recommendation Form

Register to Walk in the Commencement Ceremony (Optional)

After you register for graduation, keep an eye on your MavMail! About 8-10 weeks before the ceremony, you'll receive an email from MNSU-Events with everything you need to register for Commencement and ordering regalia. 

Note: to be listed in the official Commencement booklet, apply to graduate by:

• April 1 for spring
• November 1 for fall

Commencement Services