Doctoral Dissertation Policies and Procedures
Doctoral students on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus should follow their individual program policies and procedures in order to successfully complete their program in a timely manner. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all relevant deadlines and to plan accordingly. Frequent communication with your committee members is essential to ensure that all requirements are met/scheduled in a timely manner to ensure timely completion of all necessary steps. Deadlines cannot be altered and missing one will delay your graduation.
Helpful Guides When Researching/Writing the Dissertation
Preparing to Graduate
The University of Michigan-Dearborn holds a commencement ceremony in December and April/May. Students who have completed a Degree/Diploma application for the term of the ceremony, or the Summer term before or after the ceremony are eligible to participate in commencement.
If you have not completed a Degree/Diploma Application, please visit Applying to Graduate for more information.
If you plan to participate in commencement, you must order your regalia (hood, gown, and tam) from the bookstore at least six weeks before the ceremony. The hood and gown can be rented or purchased. The tam must be purchased.
Deadlines by which a candidate must defend a dissertation and complete all degree requirements are published for each term. The deadline to have the degree conferred in the same term as a final term of enrollment is approximately six weeks before the end of a semester. All students who wish to be considered for graduation and commencement participation must complete a Degree/Diploma application.
For complete information and deadline dates, please see Applying to Graduate/Doctoral Students.
The Certification of Completion of Dissertation and Formatting Requirements for Doctoral Degree form needs to be completed and signatures gathered and submitted to your program as the student’s final step.