Dissertation deadlines
Spring 2020 graduation
- Deadline to schedule defense: Feb. 28
- Last day to hold defense: March 13
- Defended dissertation to Graduate College: March 20
- Commencement: April 25
Summer I 2020 graduation
- Deadline to schedule defense: May 1
- Last day to hold defense: May 15
- Defended dissertation to Graduate College: May 22
- Commencement: June 27
Summer II 2020 graduation
- Deadline to schedule defense: June 26
- Last day to hold defense: July 10
- Defended dissertation to Graduate College: July 17
- Commencement: —please note: there is no commencement ceremony in August. Students wishing to participate in commencement will walk in December.
Fall 2020 graduation
- Deadline to schedule defense: Oct. 16
- Last day to hold defense: Oct. 30
- Defended dissertation to Graduate College: Nov. 6
- Commencement: Dec. 19
Specialist Project and Master's Thesis deadlines
Please note that Master's thesis defenses are not scheduled in the Graduate College. Please contact your department to schedule a thesis defense.
Spring 2020 graduation
- Defended theses to Graduate College: March 27
- Commencement: April 25
Summer I 2020 graduation
- Defended theses to Graduate College: May 22
- Commencement: June 27
Summer II 2020 graduation
- Defended theses to Graduate College: July 17
Fall 2020 graduation
- Defended theses to Graduate College: Nov. 13
- Commencement: Dec. 19
Other dates to consider
Other important dates for graduate students
- Academic Year Calendar
- For other program-specific dissertation/thesis deadlines, please contact your WMU department.