Deadlines & timeline for graduate program

Most students complete the M.A. in two years, but may take longer. Course credits used to fulfill the M.A. credit requirements must be no older than six years. Forms referenced below, all forms required to be submitted to the Graduate School and deadlines for submission are available from the Graduate School website.

Degree Completion Timeline
What When
1. Read Graduate Student Handbook and contact the graduate director. 1. Upon admission to the program.
2. Select primary area of concentration and complete Declaration of Advisor/ Major Advisor/Committee Chair form. 2. Before the end of the second semester.
3. Elect to pursue Thesis or Non-Thesis. If you elect Thesis please read the “Dissertation and Thesis Submission Requirements” form available online in the Thesis Filing Guidelines page, under Forms and Deadlines in the Graduate School website. 3. As soon as possible, but no later than upon forming your A-E committee; discuss options with your advisor/committee chair. Thesis students should consult the Thesis Filing Guidelines before beginning their thesis project.
4. Fulfill the language requirement. See Language Requirement portion of this Handbook. 4. As soon as possible, but by no later than the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you plan to take the comprehensive exams.
5. In consultation with your advisor/ committee chair, select secondary area of concentration and corresponding member of your A-E Committee. 5. As soon as possible, but by no later than the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you plan to take the comprehensive examinations.
6. In consultation with your advisor/ committee chair and the second member of your committee, finalize your Reading List. Complete the A-E Committee/ Program of Study form. Turn in the original to the Graduate School. 6. Before the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you plan to take the comprehensive examinations.
7. Enroll in comprehensive examination course: WLL 795. (WLL 795 credits do not count toward fulfilling M.A. requirements. Do not list these credits in your Program of Study form). 7. For the semester in which you plan to take the comprehensive examinations.
8. Apply for graduation. Form: Graduation Application. 8. Early in the semester in which you plan to graduate; consult the Graduate School website Calendar for exact deadline.
9. In consultation with your advisor/ committee chair, schedule the comprehensive written exam and a tentative date for the comprehensive oral exam. 9. In the semester you plan to graduate. Consult the Graduate School web site Calendar for exact date by when the Master’s Degree Notice of Completion must be submitted.
10. Thesis students: obtain a Thesis Final Review Approval form from the Graduate School website and complete the form. 10. Present the form to your A-E Committee chair upon completion of your thesis in its final form.
11. Obtain a Master's Degree Notice of Completion form from the Graduate School website and complete the form. 11. Present the form to your A-E Committee chair upon completion of the final oral examination.
12. Make copies of the Notice of Completion form for yourself, your A-E Committee members, and the department administrative assistant. Deliver the original to the Graduate School before the deadline. 12. After completion of the oral examination.