Preparing to Graduate
- Degree Completion
- Dissertation & Thesis Submission
- Dissertation & Thesis Template
Read about the requirements for degree completion for doctoral and all varieties of master programs.
Implications for students who use a preferred name: All letters and email communication from the Graduate Division use the preferred name, including the Dean’s congratulatory letter sent upon degree completion. Students who need their legal name on the congratulatory letter (e.g. for employment or visa purposes) must update their name using the Social Identities Tool. This must be completed in advance of degree completion to ensure that our system is updated. Please see Preferred Name and Personal Pronoun Information for Students for more information, including which documents use the legal name.
The deadline to submit final degree paperwork to the Graduate Division is the 11th Friday of each quarter or early September for summer graduation (see our general deadlines and the Registrar’s Enrollment and Registration Calendar for more information on deadlines and specific dates). If the deadline is missed the degree will be awarded in the next quarter.
Master's thesis and Master of Fine Arts students should check with their advisor regarding when the thesis must be submitted for review by the master committee.
The deadline to submit final degree paperwork to the Graduate Division is the 11th Friday of each quarter or early September for summer graduation (see general deadlines and the Registrar’s Enrollment and Registration Calendar for more information on deadlines and specific dates). If the deadline is missed the degree will be awarded in the next quarter.
The Final Report of the Thesis or Comprehensive Examination (Plan I or II) for the Degree of Master of Arts or Science is submitted to the Graduate Division. The Final Report must list the date the examination was completed, and must have original signatures of the program's graduate advisor and the program's chair. The form must indicate if the student will continue at UC San Diego or will terminate. (The Final Report form is initiated by the graduate coordinator and signatures are obtained from each faculty member through DocuSign. Instructions are listed on the Graduate Division's collab page).
The deadline to submit final degree paperwork to the Graduate Division is the 11th Friday of each quarter or early September for summer graduation (see general deadlines and the Registrar’s Enrollment and Registration Calendar) for more information on deadlines and specific dates). If the deadline is missed the degree will be awarded in the next quarter.
The M.B.A. is offered as a full-time or a part-time program. There is no advancement to candidacy requirement. Completion of the degree is verified by department submission of the final report via the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). Check submission deadlines and process with graduate coordinator.
Procedures
The MEd is a two-year, full-time program, with no advancement to candidacy required.
Completion of the degree is verified by department submission of the final report via the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). Check submission deadlines and process with graduate coordinator.
The MAS is a one-year, full-time program, with no advancement to candidacy required.
Completion of the degree is verified by department submission of the final report via the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). Check submission deadlines and process with graduate coordinator.
The MIA is a two-year, full-time program, with no advancement to candidacy required.
Completion of the degree is verified by department submission of the final report via the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). Check submission deadlines and process with graduate coordinator.
Students may be eligible to pay the filing fee in lieu of tuition/registration fees during the quarter of graduation under the following circumstances:
The Filing Fee is always half the amount of the registration fee. The fee will be indicated at the bottom of the combined Final Report Form and will be assessed on the student's TritonLink financial account after the final document review.
Please refer to the "Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses" for additional information. Students may also check with their graduate program or with the Division of Graduate Education regarding payment of the filing fee.
The following deadlines are specific to graduate students and are consistent through all three quarters:
The 2nd Friday of each quarter is the deadline to submit:
The 3rd Friday of each quarter is the deadline to submit Applications to Candidacy for the Master’s degree (in order to receive the Master’s in the same quarter).
The 4th Friday of each quarter is the deadline to submit requests to change a grading option, change number of units, drop a course without a W.
The 9th Friday of each quarter is the deadline to submit drop requests.
The 10th Friday of each quarter is the deadline to submit add requests.
The 11th Friday of each quarter (finals week) is the deadline to submit:
The Summer degree deadline is the last Friday of summer session II (usually in early September).
Please note: Fully completed forms must be received by the Graduate Division by the stated deadline date. Departments may set earlier submission deadlines for internal processing; please check with your home department for details.
Learn about the Master's and Doctoral commencement ceremonies, including dates, times, and participation requirements