Dissertation, Specialist Project, and Master’s Thesis Deadlines
Please note that master's thesis and specialist project defenses are not scheduled in the Graduate College. Please contact your committee to schedule a defense.
2023 Dissertation, Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines
Friday, October 13, 2023 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Fall 2023 graduation |
Friday, October 27, 2023 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Fall 2023 graduation |
Friday, November 3, 2023 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Fall 2023 graduation |
Friday, November 10, 2023 | Defended specialist projects and master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Fall 2023 graduation |
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | Fall commencement |
2024 Dissertation Deadlines
Friday, March 1, 2024 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Spring 2024 graduation |
Friday, March 15, 2024 | Last day to hold dissertation defense for Spring 2024 |
Friday, March 22, 2024 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Spring 2024 graduation |
Saturday, April 27. 2024 | Spring Commencement |
Friday, May 3, 2024 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer I 2024 graduation |
Friday, May 17, 2024 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer I 2024 |
Friday, May 24, 2024 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2024 graduation |
Friday, June 21, 2024 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer II 2024 graduation |
Saturday, June 29, 2024 | Summer I commencement |
Friday, July 5, 2024 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer II 2024 |
Friday, July 12, 2024 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2024 graduation |
Friday, August 16, 2024 | Summer II semester ends; no commencement ceremonies |
Friday, October 18, 2024 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defenses for Fal 2024 graduation |
Friday, November 1, 2024 | Last day to hold dissertation defenses for Fall 2024 graduation |
Friday, November 8, 2024 | Defended dissertations due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation |
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | Fall commencement |
2024 Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines
Friday, April 19, 2024 | Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Spring 2024 graduation |
Friday, April 27, 2024 | Spring commencement |
Friday, June 21, 2024 | Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Summer I 2024 graduation |
Friday, June 29, 2024 | Summer I commencement |
Friday, August 9, 2024 | Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Summer II 2024 graduation |
Friday, August 16, 2024 | Summer II session ends, no commencement |
Friday, December 6, 2024 | Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation |
Friday, December 14, 2024 | Fall commencement |
Other Important Dates for Graduate Students
- Academic Year Calendar
- For other program-specific dissertation/thesis deadlines, please contact your WMU department.