Graduation submission deadlines
When to submit
It is important that you appropriately plan to defend and submit your thesis or dissertation in the approved and accepted format to the Graduate School. Upon submission, your manuscript will undergo review for final acceptance by the University.
The Thesis and Dissertation deadlines allow time for review, editing and approval by the Graduate School. Once it is approved by the Graduate School, it is sent for final review by the respective College Dean's office.
These deadlines are firm dates
Defending and/or submitting your thesis or dissertation after the deadline dates will result in you not graduating in the semester you planned. Also, this can incur additional expenses, based on the need to register for a subsequent semester. Note these dates and plan accordingly to defend and submit in the semester you plan to complete your manuscript.
The following are the specific deadlines for each type of degree and term.
There are two sets of deadlines per semester.
Primary and Secondary Graduation Deadlines
Primary Graduation Deadlines allow for graduation in the correct term as long as everything is completed according to the due dates. If you fail to meet the primary deadlines, you then move to the Secondary (Courtesy) deadlines. Please notify your academic department and Graduate School Liaison if you miss the primary deadlines, as your anticipated graduation date will need to be moved to the next semester.
The Secondary (Courtesy) Deadlines mean your anticipated graduation date will be moved to the subsequent semester, and if everything is completed by the appropriate dates, you will not be required to register for additional Thesis/Dissertation hours during the final semester.
If you miss any of the Secondary (Courtesy) Deadlines, you will have to register for 2 credits of Thesis/Dissertation and complete your degree requirements (manuscript, any applicable defenses or other requirements) the following semester.
Deadlines for Doctoral programs
These deadlines are for Doctoral programs that include a dissertation requirement.
- Fall 2024
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
June 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for December graduation.
September 27 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
October 11
Last day to defend your dissertation.
October 28
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school for December graduation. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
December 3
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
December 13
Graduate Student Commencement.
Courtesy Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Fall deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in spring 2025 without being required to register for dissertation credits for the spring semester.
June 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for December graduation.
October 28 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
November 11
Last day to defend your dissertation.
November 18
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
December 13
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
December 13
Graduate Student Commencement. You will need to request permission to walk in commencement if your dissertation has been approved by the graduate school prior to the commencement date.
December 30
If the dissertation is completely approved on this date, you may graduate spring 2025, but will not be required to register for dissertation credit in spring 2025.
- Spring 2025
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
October 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for May graduation.
February 21 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
March 7
Last day to defend your dissertation.
March 31
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school for Spring graduation. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
April 21
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
May 2
Graduate Student Commencement.
Courtesy Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Spring deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in Summer 2025 without being required to register for dissertation credits for the summer semester.
October 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for May graduation.
March 14 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
March 28
Last day to defend your dissertation.
April 4
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
May 2
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
May 2
Graduate Student Commencement. You will need to request permission to walk in commencement if your dissertation has been approved by the graduate school prior to the commencement date.
May 9
If the dissertation is completely approved on this date, you may graduate summer 2025, but will not be required to register for dissertation credit summer 2025.
- Summer 2025
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
March 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for August graduation.
June 6 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
June 20
Last day to defend your dissertation.
July 11
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school for August graduation. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
July 14
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
August 9
Degrees Awarded. No summer commencement ceremony.
December Graduation
Graduate Student Commencement. Student may walk in Fall commencement if dissertation is accepted.
Courtesy Deadlines for Dissertation Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Summer deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in Fall 2025 without being required to register for dissertation credits for the Fall semester.
March 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Candidacy Application to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for August graduation.
June 27 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
July 11
Last day to defend your dissertation.
July 25
Deadline to submit dissertation and dissertation exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your dissertation are located here. Dissertations are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
August 4
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
August 9
Degrees Awarded. No summer commencement ceremony.
August 11
If the dissertation is completely approved on this date, you may graduate in the Fall 2025 semester, but will not be required to register for dissertation credit during the Fall 2025 semester.
Deadlines for Master’s/EdS Thesis Programs
These deadlines are for Master’s or Specialist in Education programs that include a thesis requirement.
- Fall 2024
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Thesis Submission
June 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for December graduation.
October 4 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
October 18
Last day to defend your thesis.
November 4
Deadline to submit thesis and thesis exam results to the graduate school for December graduation. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
December 3
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
December 13
Graduate Student Commencement.
Courtesy Deadlines for Thesis Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Fall deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in spring 2025 without being required to register for thesis credits for the spring semester.
June 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for December graduation.
October 28 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
November 11
Last day to defend your thesis.
November 25
Deadline to submit thesis and thesis exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
December 13
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
December 13
Graduate Student Commencement. You will need to request permission to walk in commencement if your thesis has been approved by the graduate school prior to the commencement date.
December 30
If the thesis is completely approved on this date, you may graduate spring 2025, but will not be required to register for thesis credit in spring 2025.
- Spring 2025
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Thesis Submission
October 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for May graduation.
February 21 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
March 7
Last day to defend your thesis.
April 4
Deadline to submit thesis and Thesis exam results to the graduate school for Spring graduation. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
April 21
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
May 2
Graduate Student Commencement.
Courtesy Deadlines for Thesis Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Spring deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in Summer 2025 without being required to register for thesis credits for the summer semester.
October 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for May graduation.
March 7 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
March 21
Last day to defend your Thesis.
April 11
Deadline to submit Thesis and Thesis exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC.
May 5
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
May 2
Graduate Student Commencement. You will need to request permission to walk in commencement if your thesis has been approved by the graduate school prior to the commencement date.
May 9
If the thesis is completely approved on this date, you may graduate summer 2025, but will not be required to register for thesis credit in summer 2025.
- Summer 2025
Primary Graduation Deadlines for Thesis Submission
March 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for August graduation.
June 13 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
June 27
Last day to defend your thesis.
July 18
Deadline to submit thesis and thesis exam results to the graduate school for August graduation. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
July 25
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
August 9
Degrees Awarded. No summer commencement.
Courtesy Deadlines for Thesis Submission
These deadlines are for students who cannot meet the regular Summer deadline dates. Fulfilling these obligations will allow you the opportunity to graduate in Fall 2025 without being required to register for thesis credits for the Fall semester.
March 15
Deadline to submit the graduate student Graduation Audit For Degrees and Certificates Form to the Graduate School and the online graduation application for August graduation.
June 27 (last day to schedule your defense)
Submit your Notice of Scheduled of Defense to the Graduate School at least two weeks before your defense. This date has to be approved by your committee and usually by the program coordinator.
July 11
Last day to defend your thesis.
July 25
Deadline to submit thesis and thesis exam results to the graduate school. Instructions on submitting your thesis are located here. Theses are submitted to UTC Scholar. The manuscript will be reviewed by the graduate school and then the Dean of your College before final acceptance.
August 4
Last day for final edits to be submitted and accepted as requested by the graduate school. There may be multiple rounds of edits required from the date of your submission. Once edits are complete, it is forwarded to the Dean's Office of your college for final review.
August 9
Degrees Awarded. No summer commencement.
August 11
If the thesis is completely approved on this date, you may graduate in the Fall 2025 semester, but will not be required to register for thesis credit during the Fall 2025 semester.
If you have questions, please contact the Graduate School.
Start here: Information about what to do before submitting
- Read “Thesis and Dissertation Standards”
- Complete and submit the Committee Appointment Form
- Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care Use Committee
Submit permission request if required - Attend a “Thesis and Dissertation Standards” workshop. A recorded workshop is available in Graduate School - Graduate Students UTC Canvas. The next live workshops will be available from 3pm-4:30pm on September 8, 2023 and January 19, 2024.
- Write your manuscript according to the “Thesis and Dissertation Standards”
- At least two weeks prior to defense, submit Notice of Defense Form – Discuss defense time, date and location with Committee members (make sure your committee has a copy of your manuscript for review) and submit this form two weeks prior to your defense.
Click this link to complete the form: Notice of Scheduled Defense
Review and verify that your manuscript is written in accordance with the “Thesis and Dissertation Standards”
When to Submit
It is important that you appropriately plan to defend and submit your thesis or dissertation in the approved and accepted format to the Graduate School according to the dates and deadlines published above.
Defending and/or submitting your thesis or dissertation after the deadline date may result in you not graduating in the semester you planned, an additional expense to register for a subsequent semester and your degree not being conferred as planned. Note these dates and plan accordingly to defend and submit in the semester you plan to complete your manuscript.
Instructions for Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation
The following is a listing of the steps required for submitting a thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School for formal review and approval.
Theses and dissertations are not considered complete until the document has been approved by the Graduate School; therefore, transcripts and diplomas are not released until all of the following steps are completed in the sequence provided.
Deadlines for submission of documents for review by Graduate School staff are published on the Graduate School site and the Graduate School Academic Calendar; these deadlines cannot be waived. However, if the deadline falls on a weekend, the thesis or dissertation must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on the following Monday.
To meet the first submission deadline (the first review of the document), the following verification forms or pages must be received by the Graduate School prior to the thesis or dissertation. Links are provided to each of the forms or pages.
- A completed Graduate Degree Examination Results form with all required signatures indicating that the defense of the thesis or dissertation was passed and the thesis or dissertation has been accepted by the examining committee. This form should be delivered to the Graduate School, preferably in electronic form.
- If a graduate program requires it, the student must submit the “Verification of Standards and Bibliography Management Software form”, which indicates that the Standards for formatting were followed, verifies the bibliography management software used, provides the name of the software, and indicates the word processing software used to produce the thesis or dissertation. Students should check with their major professor or chairperson for program specific requirements.
The thesis or dissertation is submitted electronically to UTC Scholar, (submissions guidelines at http://scholar.utc.edu/theses/) The thesis or dissertation should not be submitted until all committee editorial comments and corrections are appropriately addressed.
- Make sure your paper is in an acceptable format. UTC Scholar accepts papers in Microsoft Word (DOC) or (DOCX), Rich Text Format (RTF), or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). MS Word or Rich Text Format is preferred.
- Upon completion of the initial format review, the thesis or dissertation will be accepted or returned to the student for corrections. If the document is not accepted, the student must make the requested corrections and re-submit a revised electronic copy for review. The review process continues until the document is deemed acceptable.
- When the document is accepted, the graduate dean will post the manuscript for the general public on UTC Scholar. The student will receive an email that the document has been posted which means the dean has accepted the document and the Theses or Dissertation requirement has been fulfilled.
To submit to UTC Scholar follow the instructions at: http://scholar.utc.edu/theses/guidelines.html.
In addition to UTC Scholar, the students has the option of submitting their research to the UMI ETD Administration site (ProQuest) at http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/main/submitting.
Formal Degree Names for page ii of the thesis/dissertation
College of Arts and Sciences | |
| Master of Arts: English | Master of Music |
| Master of Public Administration | Master of Science: Environmental Science |
| Master of Science: Mathematics | Master of Science: Psychology |
| Master of Science in Criminal Justice | |
College of Engineering and Computer Science | |
| Master of Science: Engineering | Master of Science: Engineering Management |
| Master of Science: Computer Science | |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Science | |
College of Business | |
| Master of Accountancy | Master of Business Administration |
College of Health, Education and Professional Studies | |
| Master of Education: Counseling | Master of Education: Elementary Education |
| Master of Education: School Leadership | Master of Education: Secondary Education |
| Master of Education: Special Education | Master of Science: Athletic Training |
| Master of Public Health: Chronic Disease | |
| Prevention and Control | |
| | |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | Doctor of Physical Therapy |
| Occupational Therapy Doctorate | |
| Doctor of Education: Leadership and Instructional Practice | Doctor of Philosophy: Leadership and Decision-Making |
| Doctor of Education: Learning and Leadership | Doctor of Philosophy: Learning and Leadership |
