Graduate Study Timeline

Follow the timeline below to advance through your graduate program in the proper sequence. Using this timeline will help ensure that you meet the necessary requirements for graduation. The process begins after you are admitted to the Graduate College. To track your degree program progress and graduate college forms, please log-in to your VIP Page.

Note: Please submit the original form to the Graduate College; we do not need any additional copies.

1. Receive advisor assignment.
   

   Your department will assign an advisor when you're admitted to the Graduate College. Please contact your department to determine your advisor.



2. Determine if you need an advisory committee.

Not all graduate students require an advisory committee, but most do. To determine whether you need an advisory committee, please check with your graduate coordinator or advisor. If you do require an advisory committee, select this committee after completing 12-16 credit hours and prior to establishing and submitting your proposed degree program. If you do not require an advisory committee, please continue to step #3.

Advisory committee chairs and Graduate College representatives on advisory committees must have full graduate faculty status. Graduate advisory committee members must hold full or associate graduate faculty status. If after establishing a graduate advisory committee there is need to change the composition of the committee, the student should complete and submit the Change in Advisory Committee form to the Graduate College immediately.

Form: Appointment of Advisory Committee (PDF)

Form: Change of Advisory Committee (PDF)



3. Submit proposed degree program to the Graduate College.

Master’s, specialist, and certificate students
Submit both Part 1 and Part 2 of your proposed degree program together before completing 16 hours OR by the sixth week of the first semester of admission if 12+ hours (taken prior to admission) will be considered part of your degree program.

Form: Part 1 – Proposed Master’s & Specialist Degree Program (PDF)
Form: Part 1 – Proposed Graduate Certificate Program (PDF)
Form: Part 2 – Obtain all Part 2 forms from your academic department.

Doctoral students
Submit both Part 1 and Part 2 of your proposed degree program before completing 16 hours OR by the sixth week of the             first semester of admission if 12+ hours (taken prior to admission) will be considered part of your degree program.

Form: Part 1 – Proposed Ph. D. Degree Program (PDF)

Form: Part 1 – Proposed Graduate Certificate Program (PDF)

Form: Part 2 – Obtain all Part 2 forms from your academic department.



4. Submit thesis/dissertation prospectus approval to the Graduate College (applies to thesis track and doctoral students only).
   
   

   Master’s students
   Submit this form, along with an abstract of your proposal, when you submit your proposed degree program (see #3).

Form: Prospectus Approval Form (PDF)

Doctoral students
Submit this form when you submit your proposed degree program, and prior to advancing to candidacy.

Form:Prospectus Approval Form (PDF)



5. Advance to candidacy (applies to doctoral students only).

This step typically occurs after you have completed all course work, passed the comprehensive exam, completed your prospectus, and have had it, along with your description, approved by the Dean of the Graduate College. This sequence may differ by department.

Form: Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy Application (PDF)



6. Apply for graduation.

Refer to the UNLV class schedule for graduation deadlines and application.




Note: Steps 7-13 below apply only to thesis-track and doctoral students.



7. Meet with the Associate Dean for Graduate Student Services for an initial format check of your thesis/dissertation.

If you're writing a thesis/dissertation, the Graduate College suggests completing this step by the eighth week of the semester in which you anticipate graduating.



8. Submit thesis/dissertation draft to committee.

If you're writing a thesis/dissertation, the Graduate College suggests completing this step by the eighth week of the semester in which you anticipate graduating.



9. Submit your completed thesis/dissertation to your committee.

Submit your thesis/dissertation two weeks prior to your scheduled defense.



10. Schedule thesis/dissertation oral defense.

Notify department no later than two weeks prior to your defense.



11. Defend thesis/dissertation or complete comprehensive exams.

These events should occur no later than three weeks prior to the last day of instruction in the semester in which you anticipate graduating. You must be a registered student at this time.



12. Obtain permission to print thesis/dissertation. Contact the associate dean for graduate student services.



13. Submit final copies of thesis/dissertation to the Graduate College.

Complete this step at least two weeks prior to the last day of instruction in the semester in which you anticipate graduating.



14. Submit results of final exam for advanced degree or the oral defense results to the Graduate College.
    If you are taking a final exam, your committee chair or graduate coordinator must submit official results immediately after you receive them. This must be accomplished two weeks prior to the last day of instruction.

Form: Oral Defense Results (PDF)
Form: Final Examination Results (PDF)




15. Graduate.
    This status is granted after you have fulfilled all requirements. You may not participate in commencement prior to completing all degree requirements. Learn more about completing your academic program and preparing for the commencement ceremony.