Degree Deadlines

Unless otherwise instructed, submit forms to the Graduate Degrees Office in 318 Sproul Hall.

In addition to the deadlines provided below, Qualifying Exam Applications (through the Committees eForm in CalCentral) must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the proposed exam date.

Deadline to Advance to Doctoral Candidacy (only for NRST reduction)

For Ph.D. students

Doctoral students may Advance to Candidacy at any time. However, non-resident students who wish to start receiving the NRST reduction must advance before the first day of the instruction for the semester they wish to begin the reduction.

You can find the exact dates on the academic calendar for the relevant term/semester.

Students who advance after the first day of instruction, will automatically start receiving the NRST reduction the following semester.

Doctoral students who have successfully completed their Qualifying Examination (with results submitted to the Graduate Division), can initiate the doctoral advancement process by submitting the Higher Degree Committee eForm (available in CalCentral).

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Deadline to File a Thesis or Dissertation

For Masters / Ph.D. students

The deadline to file a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation is always the last day of the semester for which the degree is to be earned (e.g. the last day of summer semester for a summer degree, the last day of fall semester for a fall degree).

You can find the exact dates on the academic calendar for the relevant term/semester.

We recommend that your faculty committee review your thesis 30-60 days prior to your anticipated filing date.

For instructions on how to format and submit your thesis or dissertation, see the Thesis Writing and Filing (Masters) or Dissertation Writing and Filing guides.

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Deadline to Apply for In Absentia or Filing Fee

For Masters / Ph.D. students

Applications for special enrollment statuses like Filing Fee or In Absentia are due by the first day of instruction. Students can apply using the Special Enrollment Petition (SEP) eForm which is available in CalCentral.

You can find the exact dates on the academic calendar for the relevant term.

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