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Dissertation, Specialist Project, and Thesis Defense Submission Deadlines

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.

2024 Dissertation Deadlines

 
Friday, October 18, 2024Deadline to schedule dissertation defenses for Fal 2024 graduation 
Friday, November 1, 2024Last day to hold dissertation defenses for Fall 2024 graduation 
Friday, November 8, 2024Defended dissertations due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation 
Saturday, December 14, 2024Fall commencement 

2024 Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines

Friday, December 6, 2024Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation 
Friday, December 14, 2024Fall commencement 

2025 Dissertation Deadlines and

Other Important Dates for Graduate Students

Friday, February 28, 2025Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Spring 2025 graduation
Friday, March 14, 2025Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Spring 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Spring 2025 graduation
Saturday, April 26, 2025Spring commencement
Friday, May 2, 2025Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer I 2025 graduation
Friday, May 16, 2025Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer I 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2025 graduation
Friday, June 20, 2025Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer II 2025 graduation
Saturday, June 28, 2025Summer I commencement
Thursday, July 3, 2025Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer II 2025
Friday, July 11, 2025Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2025 graduation
Friday, August 15, 2025Summer II semester ends; no commencement ceremonies
Friday, October 17, 2025Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Fall 2025 graduation
Friday, October 31, 2025Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Fall 2025 graduation
Friday, November 7, 2025Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Fall 2025 graduation
Saturday, December 13, 2025Fall commencement

2025 Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines

Friday, April 18, 2025Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Spring 2025 graduation
Saturday, April 26, 2025Spring commencement
Friday, June 20, 2025Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2025 graduation
Saturday, June 28, 2025Summer I commencement
Friday, August 8, 2025Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2025 graduation
Friday, August 15, 2025Summer II session ends, no commencement
Friday, December 5, 2025Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Fall 2025 graduation
Saturday, December 13, 2025Fall commencement
  • Academic Year Calendar
  • For other program-specific dissertation/thesis deadlines, please contact your WMU department.