Timeline for degree completion

Recommended timeline for Thesis Plan

• Take 6-9 graduate credits per semester. For example, to reach the needed 30 credits for graduation, you may take 9 credits for two semesters and 6 credits for the other two semesters.
• Identify a Thesis Advisor and Graduate Committee by the end of your 1st year.
• As early as possible, but no later than the beginning of your 3rd semester in the program, complete the Program of Study form
• Start work on your master’s Thesis by no later than the beginning of your 3rd semester.
• Complete work on your master’s Thesis during your 4th semester. Circulate your complete thesis among members of your Graduate Committee, at least two weeks prior to the thesis defense. In case of a very long or very detailed thesis, committee members may need more time to review your work.
• Schedule a public defense of your thesis. Consult your Advisor, Graduate Committee members, and the Graduate Director about their time and availability.
• Upon a successfully defended thesis, file the Notice of Completion with the Graduate School.

Recommended timeline for Non-Thesis Plan

• Take 6-9 graduate credits per semester. For example, to reach the needed 32 credits for graduation, you may take 9 credits for three semesters and 5 credits during the remaining semester.
• As early as possible, but no later than the beginning of your 3rd semester in the program, complete the Program of Study form
• Schedule the Comprehensive Exam during your second year (3rd or 4th semester) of the program. Enroll in MATH 795 (STAT 795 from Fall 2020) – the Comprehensive Exam course
• Upon successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam, file the Notice of Completion with the Graduate School.

Forms required for graduation

Forms that are required to be submitted to the Graduate School during the progression to your terminal degree, can be found on their Forms web page. They include these forms (listed with a timeline for their submissions):

• Declaration of Advisor, Major Advisor, Committee Chair
  • For master’s students on the Thesis Plan, the completed form must be submitted to Graduate School by the end of the student’s 2nd semester.
• Program of Study
  • For master’s students, completed form must be submitted to Graduate School by the end of the student’s 3rd semester.
• Graduation Application
  • Must be submitted to the Graduate School several weeks in advance. Check their website for exact dates.
• The Notice of Completion form should be submitted after all requirements for the degree have been met.
• Optional Exit Survey, to be completed upon graduation. This survey is voluntary, confidential, and takes about 5 minutes.

Master’s degrees: All course work must be completed within six years preceding the awarding of the degree