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Graduate School

Dates & Deadlines

December 2025

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: August 22

    Application for Graduation: 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 Graduation: 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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August 2026

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: May 22

    Application for Graduation: January 16

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: May 22

    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 13
    Thesis: July 20

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: July 20
    Thesis: July 27

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    July 27

  • Degree Completion Date

    August 8

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December 2026

  • Completion of Degree or Certificate

    Degree Audit: August 21

    Application for Graduation: August 21

  • Thesis/Dissertation

    Proposal Approval Form: August 24

    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: October 26
    Thesis: November 9

  • Final Deposit Filling:

    Dissertation: November 2
    Thesis: November 16

  • Master's Comprehensive Examination

    November 30

  • Degree Completion Date

    December 12

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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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