What You Need to Graduate

Preparing for Graduation

Review graduation deadlines.

Check requirements needed to attend commencement in May.

Consult your department/program to determine whether you are on schedule to graduate, i.e., that you will be able to complete all degree requirements by your graduation date. You should do this at the beginning of the semester in which your anticipated graduation date falls.

Review your most recent degree audit worksheet in Degree Works to confirm all requirements have been met.

Submit a PDF of your most recent degree audit worksheet, using the Student View format, to your department/program for review by your advisor. If approved, your advisor must sign and date the top of the PDF and the signed degree audit worksheet is submitted to degreecert@syr.edu for review. A final, signed degree audit worksheet must be on file with the Graduate School or submitted with your signed Request for Examination form, at least three weeks prior to your defense date.

If your degree audit is unavailable, you must submit a Program of Study form

Prepare a Program of Study form. (Consult your department as to whether you may file the generic form provided here as a PDF or a department-specific version of the form.)

Submit the Program of Study form  to your department/program for review by your advisor. If it is approved, they will submit it to the Graduate School electronically to degreecert@syr.edu for review. A final signed program of study must be on file with the Graduate School or submitted with your signed Request for Examination form, at least three weeks prior to your defense date.

Preparing Your Thesis/Dissertation.  Prior to preparing your thesis or dissertation, review the guidelines and resources available for ensuring your work is compliant and ready for submission. Please review Preparing Your Thesis/Dissertation.

Preparing to Defend. If you are planning to defend your thesis or dissertation, please review the Thesis/Dissertation Defense Checklist. You must submit the Request for Examination Form at least three weeks prior to your proposed defense date electronically to degreecert@syr.edu

File diploma request. To file a diploma request or to change your expected graduation term, please follow the “File Diploma Request” link under the Student Services section of MySlice. Only students who complete this process are included in degree certification review.