Completion deadlines and graduation for Ph.D. students

Spring/Summer 2024

Requirement Deadline
Degree applications filed Friday, May 31, 2024
Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Last day to defend Friday, July 19, 2024
Final Graduate School requirements:  Friday, August 16, 2024
Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System After completing the format check

Fall 2024

Requirement Deadline
Degree applications filed Friday, September 27, 2024
Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Last day to defend Friday, October 18, 2024
Final Graduate School requirements:  Friday, November 1, 2024
Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System After completing the format check

Winter 2025

Requirement Deadline
Degree applications filed Friday, February 7, 2025
Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Last day to defend Friday, March 21, 2025
Final Graduate School requirements:  Friday, April 4, 2025
Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System After completing the format check

Spring/Summer 2025

Requirement Deadline
Degree applications filed Friday, May 30, 2025
Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School Two weeks prior to scheduled defense
Last day to defend Friday, July 18, 2025
Final Graduate School requirements:  Friday, August 15, 2025
Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System After completing the format check

Graduation

Wayne State University confers degrees for fall, winter and spring/summer terms and honors its graduates by hosting commencement ceremonies in December and May. Recipients of graduate certificates comprised of 30 or more credits may also participate in the December ceremony. Each graduate will be allocated four tickets for the December ceremony.

Detailed information about applying for the degree and commencement procedures is available on the commencement website.

Degree application

Degree applications are available via Academica on the Student tab, Student Self Service menu.

Application deadline

The deadline for applying is the Friday of the fourth week of class in the semester in which graduation is anticipated.

Caps, gowns, and tickets

Information concerning Commencement announcements, caps and gowns, tickets, and other relevant information will be mailed to the degree candidate by the Commencement Office prior to the event.

Attendance at the ceremony

Diplomas will be mailed to all advanced degree candidates whether or not they attend the ceremonies.

Questions? Contact the Ph.D. Office. Phone: 313-577-2170 | phdstudents@wayne.edu