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Graduate School

Dates & Deadlines

May 2025

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: January 17

    Application for Completion of Degree or Certificate and $40 fee: January 17

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: January 17

    Right to Defend: 10 business days prior to planned defense date or last date to defend, whichever is earlier (must be approved at least 7 business days before defense is held)

  • Last Date for Oral Defense:

    Dissertation: March 24
    Thesis: April 7

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: March 31
    Thesis: April 14

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    April 28

  • Degree Completion Date

    May 10

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August 2025

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: May 23

    Application for Completion of Degree or Certificate and $40 fee: May 23

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: May 23

    Right to Defend: 10 business days prior to planned defense date or last date to defend, whichever is earlier (must be approved at least 7 business days before defense is held)

  • Last Date for Oral Defense:

    Dissertation: July 14
    Thesis: July 21

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: July 21
    Thesis: July 28

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    July 28

  • Degree Completion Date

    August 9

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December 2025

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: August 22

    Application for Completion of Degree or Certificate and $40 fee: August 22

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: August 25

    Right to Defend: 10 days before planned defense date (or last day to defend, whichever is earlier)

  • Last Date for Oral Defense:

    Dissertation: October 27
    Thesis: November 10

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: November 3
    Thesis: November 17

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    November 24

  • Degree Completion Date

    December 13

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May 2026

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: January 16

    Application for Completion of Degree or Certificate and $40 fee: January 16

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: January 16

    Right to Defend: 10 days prior to defense date (or last date to defend, whichever is earlier)

  • Last Date for Oral Defense:

    Dissertation: Monday March 23
    Thesis: Monday April 6

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: Monday March 30
    Thesis: Monday April 13

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    Monday April 27

  • Degree Completion Date

    Saturday May 9

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Master's Comprehensive Examination

Academic units submit results to grad.degree.audit@IllinoisState.edu. Master’s students check with their academic unit for exam information and date

Degree Completion Date

Diplomas are mailed approximately 8-10 weeks after this date.

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