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, 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, December 6, 2024 | Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation |
Friday, December 14, 2024 | Fall commencement |
2025 Dissertation Deadlines and
Other Important Dates for Graduate Students
Friday, February 28, 2025 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Spring 2025 graduation |
Friday, March 14, 2025 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Spring 2025 |
Friday, March 21, 2025 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Spring 2025 graduation |
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Spring commencement |
Friday, May 2, 2025 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer I 2025 graduation |
Friday, May 16, 2025 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer I 2025 |
Friday, May 23, 2025 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2025 graduation |
Friday, June 20, 2025 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer II 2025 graduation |
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | Summer I commencement |
Thursday, July 3, 2025 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer II 2025 |
Friday, July 11, 2025 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2025 graduation |
Friday, August 15, 2025 | Summer II semester ends; no commencement ceremonies |
Friday, October 17, 2025 | Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Fall 2025 graduation |
Friday, October 31, 2025 | Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Fall 2025 graduation |
Friday, November 7, 2025 | Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Fall 2025 graduation |
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | Fall commencement |
2025 Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines
Friday, April 18, 2025 | Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Spring 2025 graduation |
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Spring commencement |
Friday, June 20, 2025 | Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2025 graduation |
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | Summer I commencement |
Friday, August 8, 2025 | Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2025 graduation |
Friday, August 15, 2025 | Summer II session ends, no commencement |
Friday, December 5, 2025 | Defended master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Fall 2025 graduation |
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | Fall commencement |
- Academic Year Calendar
- For other program-specific dissertation/thesis deadlines, please contact your WMU department.