Ready to graduate?

Step One- Apply for Graduation

When you know you are ready to graduate from the program, your first step should be to apply for graduation on Albert.  Students may apply to graduate in January (fall), May (spring), and September (summer) only.  Degrees cannot be conferred at any other time.  The graduation application period will be open at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate.  

If you miss the deadline to apply for graduation on Albert, you should write to the Department to request that you be added to the graduation list.  Approximately one month before graduation, all graduating students will receive a letter from the Registrar called a Graduation Checksheet.  The Department will also receive a copy of this letter. The Graduation Checksheet indicates which requirements the Registrar has a record that you completed.  Often, this record does not match up with what the Department has on file.  If, when the Department receives your Graduation Checksheet, there is any discrepancy between the Department’s records and the Registrar, the Department will send a memo to verify that you have completed your requirements. 

Step Two- Download the PhD Dissertation Submission Packet and review the requirements

After you have applied for graduation on Albert, your next step should be to download the PhD Dissertation Submission Packet, available on the GSAS website.  This packet lists all dissertation formatting deadlines and provides a list of all the forms you must complete with your advisor in order to graduate.  These forms are:

• Abstract Approval Form (Form 1)
• Doctoral Dissertation Agreement Form, included in Publishing Your Doctoral Dissertation with UMI Dissertation Publishing (Form 3)
• Survey of Earned Doctorates (Form 5)
• Advisor’s Final Approval Form (Form 6)

In addition to these forms, all gradation candidates must submit an electronic copy of the preliminary dissertation and one title page and abstract, both approved by the dissertation advisor.

All of these requirements must be submitted by the student to the GSAS Office of Academic and Student Life.  Please note that it is your responsibility to adhere to all GSAS formatting and paperwork deadlines.

The preliminary dissertation submission will be reviewed for adherence to the formatting requirements.  The content of the dissertation will not be reviewed.  Once the preliminary dissertation is reviewed, you will receive an email notification from GSAS that details formatting changes that need to be made before final submission. 

Step Three- Review your address and name on file with the University

Your diploma will be sent to the address you have on file with the University and your name will appear as it does on your Albert account.  If you need to make any changes to your address, do so on Albert.  If you need to change your name (to add diacritics, for example), visit the StudentLink Center at 383 Lafayette Street.

Step Four- Academic Attire and Graduation

Students graduating in September, January, and May are all eligible to participate in both the GSAS Convocation ceremony and the All-University Graduation at Yankee Stadium at the end of the academic year.  You must rent your academic attire (cap and gown) and pick it up from a distribution point prior to the graduation ceremony.  All GSAS PhD graduates are given the doctoral hood as a gift, so you will not need to rent a hood.  You must also order your gradation tickets online prior to graduation.  You will receive information about this from the University via email.