Graduation Deadlines

Graduation Deadlines Guidance:

As a graduate student** at the University of Maryland, Baltimore it is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate signatures and submit all required forms for graduation by the respective deadlines.

Begin obtaining signatures at five (5) business days before the due date, as most forms require several signatures.
Submit each form only once to the specific contact person or e-mail account listed below. If you have submitted a form electronically, do NOT send a hard copy unless requested.
You will be notified of any missing items after your file has been reviewed. Be patient; there are many graduating students submitting documentation.
Dual degree students must complete all requirements and forms for each degree and submit a separate diploma application for each degree.
Required forms are available on our forms page. Contact information is listed below the chart.

** Nursing MS and Certificate students must submit only the required SON forms to the School of Nursing Registration Office Rm 108.

Spring 2025

Requirements	PhD Deadlines	MS Thesis Deadlines	MS Non-Thesis & DMSc Deadlines	Certificate Deadlines	Accepted Format(s) (submit each form only once)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Doctoral Examination Committee” form	Six months before defense date AND no later than November 13, 2025	NA	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Master’s Examination Committee” form at least	NA	Two months before defense date AND no later than February 13, 2026	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Register for at least one credit of coursework or research through SURFS by...	January 11, 2026	January 11, 2026	January 11, 2026	January 11, 2026	Electronic (SURFS)
Submit “Fulfillment of Course Requirements (Universal)" form by...	February 3, 2026	February 3, 2026	February 3, 2026	February 3, 2026	E-mail, fax, mail or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies.
Apply for your diploma through SURFS Graduation Application by...	February 13, 2026	February 13, 2026	February 13, 2026	February 13, 2026	Electronic (SURFS)
Provide your dissertation or thesis to your entire Committee at least...	One month before defense date	One month before defense date	NA	NA
Submit “Certification of Completion for Doctoral Dissertation" or "Certification of Master's Degree with Thesis" form at least...	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than March 30, 2026	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than March 30, 2026	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the Graduate School
Submit “Announcement of Defense” form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than March 30, 2026	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than March 30, 2026	NA	NA	Electronic via SGS website preferred; e-mail, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies. No faxes or photocopies accepted.
Defense Deadline	No later than April 13, 2026 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	No later than April 13, 2026 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	NA	NA	Submit each form only once.
Submit your dissertation or thesis through ProQuest within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	Electronic
Submit your Approval Sheet within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
(Optional) Register for an ORCID Identifier	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	NA	NA	Visit http://orcid.org/ to learn more and register.
Submit the Electronic Publication Form within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Complete the “Survey of Earned Doctorates”	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	NA	Send Certificate of Completion via e-mail, fax, mail, or delivery to the School of Graduate Studies.
Graduation Ceremonies	May 20, 2026	May 20, 2026	May 20, 2026	May 20, 2026
Spring Semester ends	G term ends May 13, 2026	G term ends May 13, 2026	G term ends May 13, 2026	G term ends May 13, 2026
Dissertations and theses forwarded for publishing by	Mid-June, 2026	Mid-June, 2026	NA	NA
Diplomas	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.

Requirements	PhD Deadlines	MS Thesis Deadlines	MS Non-Thesis & DMSc PhD Deadlines	Certificate Deadlines	Accepted Format(s) (submit each form only once)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Doctoral Examination Committee” form	Six months before defense date AND no later than May 28, 2025	NA	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Register for at least one credit of coursework or research through SURFS by		August 24, 2025	August 24, 2025	August 24, 2025	Electronic (SURFS)
Submit “Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Master's Degree" or "Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Certificate ” form by	NA	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	E-mail, fax, mail or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies.
Submit “Certification of Master's Degree Without Thesis” or "Certificate - Certification of Requirements Form" form by	NA	NA	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the Graduate School
Apply for your diploma through SURFS Graduation Application	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	September 12, 2025	Electronic (SURFS)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Master’s Examination Committee” form at least	NA	Two months before defense date AND no later than September 29, 2025	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Provide your dissertation or thesis to your entire Committee at least	One month before defense date	One month before defense date	NA	NA
Submit "Certification of Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation/Master's Thesis" form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than November 12, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than November 12, 2025	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies.
Submit “Announcement of Defense” form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than November 12, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than November 12, 2025	NA	NA	Electronic via SGS website preferred; e-mail, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies. No faxes or photocopies accepted.
(Optional) Register for an ORCID Identifier	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	NA	NA	Visit http://orcid.org/ to learn more and register.
Defense Deadline	No later than November 26, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	No later than November 26, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	NA	NA	Submit each form only once.
Submit your dissertation or thesis through ProQuest within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense			Electronic
Submit your Approval Sheet within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit the Electronic Publication Form within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Complete the “Survey of Earned Doctorates”	Two weeks after your successful defense				Send Certificate of Completion via e-mail, fax, mail, or delivery to the School of Graduate Studies.
Graduation Ceremonies	Spring 2026	Spring 2026
Fall Semester ends	G term ends December 19, 2025	G term ends December 19, 2025	G term ends December 19, 2025	G term ends December 19, 2025
Dissertations and theses forwarded for publishing by	Mid-January, 2026	Mid-January, 2026	NA	NA
Diplomas	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.

Requirements	PhD Deadlines	MS Thesis Deadlines	MS Non-Thesis Deadlines	Certificate Deadlines	Accepted Format(s) (submit each form only once)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Doctoral Examination Committee” form	At least six months before defense date	NA	NA	NA	E-mail, fax, mail or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Register for at least one credit of coursework or research through SURFS by	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025	Electronic (SURFS)
Submit “Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Master's Degree" or "Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Certificate ” form by		June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025	E-mail, fax, mail or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit “Certification of Master's Degree Without Thesis” or "Certificate - Certification of Requirements Form" form by			June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025	E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Apply for your diploma through SURFS Graduation Application	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025	June 12, 2025	June 12, 2025	Electronic (SURFS)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Master's Examination Committee” form at least		Two months before defense date AND no later than May 8, 2025			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to Erin Golembewski
Provide your dissertation or thesis to your entire Committee at least	One month before defense date	One month before defense date
Submit "Certification of Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation/Master's Thesis" form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than June 23, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than June 23, 2025			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit “Announcement of Defense” form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than June 23, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than June 23, 2025			Electronic via SGS website preferred; e-mail, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies. No faxes or photocopies accepted.
(Optional) Register for an ORCID Identifier	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"			Visit http://orcid.org/ to learn more and register.
Defense Deadline	No later than July 7, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	No later than July 7, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.
Submit your dissertation or thesis through ProQuest within	Two weeks after your successful defense AND no later than July 21, 2025	Two weeks after your successful defense AND no later than July 21, 2025			Electronic
Submit your Approval Sheet within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit the Electronic Publication Form within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates	Two weeks after your successful defense				Send Certificate of Completion via e-mail, mail, or delivery to the School of Graduate Studies
Graduation Ceremonies	May, 2026	May, 2026
Summer Semester ends	July 25, 2025	July 25, 2025	July 25, 2025	July 25, 2025
Dissertations and theses forwarded for publishing by	Week of August 19, 2025	Week of August 19, 2025
Diplomas	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.

Requirements	PhD Deadlines	MS Thesis Deadlines	MS Non-Thesis Deadlines	Certificate Deadlines	Accepted Format(s) (submit each form only once)
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Doctoral Examination Committee” form	At least six months before defense date AND no later than October 21, 2024				E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Register for at least one credit of coursework or research		January 10, 2025 (8-week courses) January 10, 2025 (16-week courses)			SURFS
Submit “Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Master's Degree" or "Fulfillment of Course Requirements for Certificate ” form by		February 3, 2025			E-mail, fax, mail or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit “Certification of Master's Degree Without Thesis” or "Certificate - Certification of Requirements Form" form by			February 3, 2025		E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Apply for your diploma through SURFS Graduation Application	February 3, 2025	February 3, 2025	February 3, 2025	February 3, 2025	SURFS
Submit “Nomination of Members for Final Master's Examination Committee” form at least		Two months before defense date AND no later than March 3, 2025			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to School of Graduate Studies
Provide your dissertation or thesis to your entire Committee at least	One month before defense date	One month before defense date
Submit "Certification of Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation/Master's Thesis" form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than April 7, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than April 7, 2025			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit “Announcement of Defense” form at least	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than April 7, 2025	Two weeks before defense date AND no later than April 7, 2025			Electronic via SGS website preferred; e-mail, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies. No faxes or photocopies accepted.
(Optional) Register for an ORCID Identifier	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"	Before completion of "Electronic Publication form"			Visit http://orcid.org/ to learn more and register.
Defense Deadline	No later than April 21, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.	No later than April 21, 2025 Note: A student must request prior permission from the School of Graduate Studies to defend after this date.
Submit your dissertation or thesis through ProQuest within	Two weeks after your successful defense AND no later than May 5, 2025	Two weeks after your successful defense AND no later than May 5, 2025			Electronic
Submit your Approval Sheet within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Submit the Electronic Publication Form within	Two weeks after your successful defense	Two weeks after your successful defense			E-mail, fax, mail, or deliver to the School of Graduate Studies
Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates	Two weeks after your successful defense				Send Certificate of Completion via e-mail, fax, mail, or delivery to the School of Graduate Studies
Graduation Ceremonies	Week of May 19, 2025	Week of May 19, 2025
Spring Semester ends	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025
Dissertations and theses forwarded for publishing by	Mid-June 2025	Mid-June 2025
Diplomas	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.	Mailed 10-12 weeks after graduation.

Next Steps

Your path to success starts here

Graduation Deadlines

Graduation Deadlines Guidance:

Spring 2025

Fall 2025

Summer 2025

Spring 2025

Next Steps