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.

2023 Dissertation, Specialist Project, and Master's Thesis Deadlines

Friday, October 13, 2023

Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Fall 2023 graduation

Friday, October 27, 2023

Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Fall 2023 graduation

Friday, November 3, 2023

Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Fall 2023 graduation

Friday, November 10, 2023

Defended specialist projects and master’s theses due in the Graduate College for Fall 2023 graduation

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Fall commencement

2024 Dissertation Deadlines

Friday, March 1, 2024

Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Spring 2024 graduation

Friday, March 15, 2024

Last day to hold dissertation defense for Spring 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024

Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Spring 2024 graduation

Saturday, April 27. 2024

Spring Commencement 

Friday, May 3, 2024

Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer I 2024 graduation

Friday, May 17, 2024

Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer I 2024

Friday, May 24, 2024

Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer I 2024 graduation 

Friday, June 21, 2024

Deadline to schedule dissertation defense for Summer II 2024 graduation 

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Summer I commencement 

Friday, July 5, 2024

Last day for doctoral candidates to hold dissertation defense for Summer II 2024

Friday, July 12, 2024

Defended dissertations due in the Graduate College for Summer II 2024 graduation 

Friday, August 16, 2024

Summer II semester ends; no commencement ceremonies

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, April 19, 2024

Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Spring 2024 graduation 

Friday, April 27, 2024

Spring commencement 

Friday, June 21, 2024

Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Summer I 2024 graduation 

Friday, June 29, 2024

Summer I commencement 

Friday, August 9, 2024

Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Summer II 2024 graduation 

Friday, August 16, 2024

Summer II session ends, no commencement 

Friday, December 6, 2024

Defended master's theses due in Graduate College for Fall 2024 graduation 

Friday, December 14, 2024

Fall commencement 

Other Important Dates for Graduate Students

  • Academic Year Calendar
  • For other program-specific dissertation/thesis deadlines, please contact your WMU department.