Forms and policies for students
The Graduate School uses DocuSign Powerforms for all forms that require signatures, and web forms (Formstack) for all forms that do not require signatures.
With one exception only, the Application to Pursue Graduate Degree, we do not accept PDF or printed submissions. If a printed and/or handwritten form is submitted, it will be returned and delay your approval process.
DocuSign automates the routing and collection of digital signatures. For each form linked below, a pdf version is provided solely as an instructional template for preparing the DocuSign version, not as an alternative form of submission. If you are new to using Powerforms, please read through the DocuSign instructions to understand how to initiate and complete your form. If you have questions about the process or encounter issues with our forms, please contact (775) 784-6869 or email gradprogression@unr.edu.
DocuSign instructions and FAQ [PDF] | DocuSign instructions [PDF]
Forms are organized in alphabetical order within the four sections below:
- Admissions - Applicable to all graduate students applying to the Graduate School
- General - Forms applicable to all graduate students within the Graduate School
- Doctoral - Forms and information specific to doctoral programs
- Master's - Forms and information pertaining only to master's programs
Please note that faculty/program director forms are located under faculty forms. If you need assistance or cannot access a form, please contact the Graduate School office at (775) 784-6869.
Graduate School admissions forms
Applicants are required to create an account. You will use this username and password every time to protect your account information.
An accelerated bachelor's/master's program allows outstanding University of Nevada, Reno students to obtain both a baccalaureate and a master's degree in an accelerated timeframe.
Students in College of Engineering programs:
Application to Pursue an Accelerated Engineering Degree Program [DocuSign]
Application to Pursue an Accelerated Engineering Degree Program [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Students in all other programs:
Application to Pursue an Accelerated Degree Program [DocuSign]
Application to Pursue an Accelerated Degree Program [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Administrative and Academic faculty interested in pursuing a graduate degree through the University of Nevada, Reno are required to submit an "Application to Pursue a Graduate Degree" form when applying to their program of choice.
Graduate students admitted to a degree program can add or remove a graduate certificate with this form.
Declaration or Change of Certificate [Docusign]
Declaration or Change of Certificate [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
The University of Nevada, Reno General Course Catalog.
Use this form when requesting a transfer of credits from other institutions.
Graduate Credit Transfer Evaluation Request [DocuSign]
Graduate Credit Transfer Evaluation Request [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Use the same application portal as undergraduate students to complete the Graduate Special Application for non-degree seeking students.
This form is to be completed by the student requesting reinstatement to their graduate program after an unapproved leave. Once completed, the program will return this form to the Graduate School for final approval.
Notice of Reinstatement to Graduate Standing [DocuSign]
Notice of Reinstatement to Graduate Standing [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
A scholastically eligible undergraduate student at the University who is within 30 credits of completing the requirements for the bachelor's degree may enroll in graduate-level courses for graduate credit, provided that such credit is requested by the student and approved by the current undergraduate advisor and Graduate Dean.
Undergraduate Request for Graduate Study [DocuSign]
Undergraduate Request for Graduate Study [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
General forms
Appeals to the application deadline for certificate programs are accepted at the Graduate School until the last day of the graduation term.
Advanced Degree Certificate Graduation Application Deadline Appeal [DocuSign]
Advanced Degree Certificate Graduation Application Deadline Appeal [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Appeals to the application deadline for degree programs are accepted at the Graduate School until the last day of the graduation term.
Advanced Degree Graduation Application Deadline Appeal [DocuSign]
Advanced Degree Graduation Application Deadline Appeal [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Add or remove courses from your program of study.
Change in Program of Study [DocuSign]
Change in Program of Study [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Use this form if you need to make a change to the personnel on your advisory committee.
Change of Advisory Committee [DocuSign]
Change of Advisory Committee [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
This form initial agreement between a student and their advisor/committee chair. For master's students, the Declaration of Advisor form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student's second semester. For doctoral and MFA students, the completed Declaration of Advisor form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student's third semester.
Declaration of Advisor/Major Advisor/Committee Chair [DocuSign]
Declaration of Advisor/Major Advisor/Committee Chair [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Students that have graduated may be asked to complete an exit survey by their program providing valuable program-specific and high-level feedback to the Graduate School about their experience.
Every candidate for a degree must formally apply for graduation through MyNevada by the applicable deadline:
- May graduation: March 1
- August graduation: June 1
- December graduation: October 1
Within 3-8 weeks of applying for graduation, you will receive an email outlining any additional graduation requirements. As a candidate for graduation, it is your responsibility to confirm with your advisor that the list of requirements emailed to you is comprehensive and includes all applicable final-semester requirements necessary to graduate on your desired date.
Application instructions:
- Log into MyNevada using your NetID and password.
- Select the Academic Records tile.
- Select Apply for Graduation from the menu and complete the steps.
A leave of absence is a temporary cessation of study and may be granted for up to one year. Students requesting a leave of absence must be in good academic standing and submit the completed form before the period of leave begins. Time spent on an approved leave is included in the time allowed to complete the degree, i.e. six calendar years for the master’s degree and eight calendar years for the doctoral degree.
Leave of Absence [DocuSign]
Leave of Absence [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
The program of study specifies the courses and credits required to satisfy the requirements for the degree and documents the approval of the chair and members of the student’s duly constituted advisory committee. The program of study must receive final approval by the Graduate Dean. For master's degree students, the completed Program of Study form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student's third semester. For MFA and doctoral students, the completed Program of Study form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student's fourth semester.
Program of Study [DocuSign]
Program of Study [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Requests to declare a master’s en route to the Ph.D., change a sub-plan, or change degree levels must be approved by the student’s major advisor and graduate program director.
Program Change of Degree/En Route Request [DocuSign]
Program Change of Degree/En Route Request [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Doctoral student forms
Use this link to add your dissertation defense to the University's event calendar.
Filing your dissertation at the Graduate Division is one of the final steps leading to the award of your graduate degree. This link will provide you a comprehensive overview, as well as several forms required to file your dissertation.
Templates
- Committee Approval page for 5-member committee (TEMPLATE)
- Committee Approval page for 5-member committee with co-advisor (TEMPLATE)
- Committee Approval page for 6-member committee (TEMPLATE)
- Committee Approval page for 6-member committee with co-advisor (TEMPLATE)
Sample pages
- Dissertation Title page (SAMPLE)
- Dissertation Copyright page (SAMPLE)
- Dissertation Committee approval page (SAMPLE)
Survey of Earned Doctorates
- Survey of Earned Doctorates - The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is an annual census conducted since 1957 of all individuals receiving a research doctorate from an accredited U.S. institution in a given academic year. The SED is sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and by three other federal agencies: the National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, and National Endowment for the Humanities. The SED collects information on the doctoral recipient's educational history, demographic characteristics, and postgraduation plans. Results are used to assess characteristics of the doctoral population and trends in doctoral education and degrees. Read more about the purpose and methods of the SED.
Obtain signoff on your dissertation from your advisory committee chair.
Dissertation Final Review Approval DocuSign Powerform
Dissertation Final Review Approval [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Submit the title of your dissertation and the name of your advisor to the Graduate School.
This is a status for those who have completed every requirement except for the dissertation.
Doctoral Degree Admission to Candidacy [DocuSign]
Doctoral Degree Admissions to Candidacy [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
This is a generic form that every student must complete in their graduating semester which relates to the cumulative project (dissertation, professional paper, comprehensive exam). Fill out the sections that apply to your requirements. The advisory committee listed on the program of study signs the form. The notice of completion must be submitted by established deadlines for graduation.
Notice of Completion: Doctoral Degree [DocuSign]
Notice of Completion: Doctoral Degree [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Master's student forms
This is a generic form that every student must complete in their graduating semester which relates to the cumulative project (thesis, professional paper, comprehensive exam). Fill out the sections that apply to your requirements. The advisory committee listed on the program of study signs the form. The notice of completion must be submitted by established deadlines for graduation.
Notice of Completion: Master's Degree [DocuSign]
Notice of Completion: Master's Degree [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
Filing your thesis at the Graduate Division is one of the final steps leading to the award of your graduate degree. This link will provide you a comprehensive overview, as well as several forms required to file your thesis. The Docusign form will require you to enter your advisory committee chair's name and email address. Upon submission, the form will be routed to your advisory committee chair for final approval.
Thesis Filing Guidelines Webpage
Thesis Final Review Approval [DocuSign]
Thesis Final Review Approval [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]
The Docusign form will require you to enter your advisory committee chair's name and email address. Upon submission, the form will be routed to your advisory committee chair for final approval.
Thesis Final Review Approval [DocuSign]
Thesis Final Review Approval [PDF example; Not accepted for submission]