Non-thesis Master’s and Certificate of Advanced Study students
- Review your most recent degree audit worksheet in Degree Works to confirm all requirements have been met.
- Check with your department.
Graduation Date
| 12/23/26 | 5/9/27 | 6/25/27 | 8/27/27 | |
| File Diploma Request¹ by: | 11/1/26 | 3/1/27 | 3/1/27 | 3/1/27 |
¹ File by this date to receive Commencement information on time.
Master’s thesis defense students
To Schedule your Defense:
- Review your most recent degree audit worksheet in Degree Works to confirm you’ve met all requirements.
- Submit your Request for Exam form, in MySlice, at least three weeks prior to the proposed defense date. [Follow the instructions for submitting a Request for Exam].
- Distribute your thesis, in the appropriate form (print or electronic), to all committee members and your department at least two full weeks before your defense date.
See the Thesis/Dissertation Defense Checklist for additional information you’ll need to schedule your defense.
| Graduation Date | Last day to submit a Request for Exam | File Diploma Request¹ | Final Submission Deadline² |
| 12/23/26 | 11/20/26 | 11/1/26 | 12/15/26 |
| 5/9/27 | 3/29/27 | 3/1/27 | 5/4/27 |
| 6/25/27 | 5/28/27 | 3/1/27 | 6/24/27 |
| 8/27/27 | 7/30/27 | 3/1/27 | 8/26/27 |
¹ File by this date to receive Commencement information on time.
² You must submit all the following by this date: final thesis, signed title page, signed committee approval page, and report of defense.
DPS, SJD and PhD students
To Schedule your Defense:
- Review your most recent degree audit worksheet in Degree Works to confirm you’ve met all requirements.
- Submit your Request for Exam form, in MySlice, at least three weeks prior to the proposed defense date. [Follow the instructions for submitting a Request for Exam].
- Distribute your thesis/dissertation, in the appropriate form (print or electronic), to all committee members and your department at least two full weeks before your defense date.
See the Thesis/Dissertation Defense Checklist for additional information you’ll need to schedule your defense.
| Graduation Date | Last day to submit a Request for Exam | File Diploma Request¹ | Final Submission Deadline² |
| 12/23/26 | 11/20/26 | 11/1/26 | 12/15/26 |
| 5/9/27 | 3/22/27 | 3/1/27 | 4/15/27 |
| 6/25/27 | 5/28/27 | 6/1/27 | 6/24/27 |
| 8/27/27 | 7/30/27 | 6/1/27 | 8/26/27 |
¹ File by this date to receive Commencement information on time.
²You must submit all of the following by this date: final thesis/dissertation, signed title page, signed committee approval page, report of defense and completed Survey of Earned Doctorates.
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Commencement
Doctoral degree recipients who earn their degrees in June 2026, August 2026, and December 2026 are eligible to participate in the May 2027 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Commencement. Invitations to these recipients will be sent in mid-March 2027.
Doctoral candidates expecting to finish in May 2027 must complete all degree requirements, including submitting the final dissertation, their signed title page and completing the Survey of Earned Doctorates, by April 15, 2027. Invitations will be sent after their degree certification is verified.
If you have questions, email degreecert@syr.edu.