Important Dates

Stephen F. Austin statue and fountain with purple water in the campus courtyard

Graduate Students and Faculty

Please remember that the application for thesis/dissertation/exhibition examination, as well as the most complete draft of your document, may be submitted at any time during the semester of intended defense. Defense dates must be at least ten days after submission of documents to both committee members and the graduate school.

Fall 2026

  • Friday, Nov. 20
    • Applications for thesis/dissertation examinations are due.
    • Thesis/dissertation drafts must be submitted and checked for graduate/doctoral students completing work for degrees in fall 2026.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 8
    • Last day to have a thesis/dissertation/comprehensive exam. Results of examinations to be filed by academic unit head.
  • Friday, Dec. 18
    • Deadline for all theses/dissertations/comprehensive exams/deficient coursework to be submitted to appropriate offices.

Spring 2027

  • Friday, April 16, 2027
    • Applications for thesis/dissertation examinations are due.
    • Thesis/dissertation drafts must be submitted and checked for graduate/doctoral students completing work for degrees in spring 2027
  • Tuesday, April 27, 2027
    • Last day to have a thesis/dissertation/comprehensive exam. Results of examinations to be filed by academic unit head.
  • Thursday and Friday, May 13-14, 2027
    • Graduation
  • Friday, May 14, 2027
    • Deadline for all theses/dissertations/comprehensive exams/deficient coursework to be submitted to appropriate offices.