{"id":6407,"date":"2010-08-04T12:19:41","date_gmt":"2010-08-04T16:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/?page_id=6407"},"modified":"2023-10-30T13:26:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T17:26:13","slug":"academic-progress-and-graduation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sph\/policies\/academic-progress-and-graduation\/","title":{"rendered":"Academic Progress and Graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"

University Policy<\/a><\/h2>\n

School of Public Health Graduation Policy<\/h2>\n

To qualify for graduation at the School of Public Health, a degree candidate must have completed the degree requirements within the time frame specified for their degree program and must submit a Graduation Application (available on our SPH Forms<\/a> page) by the graduation deadlines posted on the graduation<\/a> page. Students in all degree programs must have an SPH grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above and fulfill the minimum grade requirements as outlined in the SPH Grading Policy<\/a>. Regardless of whether graduation requirements are completed, students will not officially graduate from the University without submitting a graduation application.<\/p>\n

Boston University holds an All-University Commencement every May. University officials announce specific dates for commencement well in advance. The School of Public Health has its own convocation ceremony, also in May that coincides with the All-University Commencement weekend.\u2009A reception for the graduates, faculty, and guests is held following the ceremony. August graduates are encouraged to participate in the May ceremony of their choice. January graduates may attend the ceremony held in May following their graduation.<\/p>\n

Tentative graduates must enter their diploma name and address to which the diploma is to be mailed on the Diploma and Graduation Information link under the MyBU Student Portal<\/a> Academics tab\u00a0prior to the published deadline for that graduation period.<\/p>\n

SPH Doctoral Programs Graduation Procedures<\/h2>\n

There are opportunities for PhD students to graduate in January, May, and August of each year. Students must register in the fall and spring, keeping in mind program, school, and University procedures and deadlines. This Bulletin page provides students with an overview of these procedures. Some programs produce additional materials to guide students.<\/p>\n

Graduation Application<\/h3>\n

Once students have secured the approval of their program director, they apply for graduation via the graduation application on the SPH Registrar\u2019s office forms<\/a><\/a> website. Students must apply by the graduation deadlines posted on the graduation<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>page. Students should also adhere to the Oral Exam\/Defense and Thesis\/Dissertation submission guidelines outlined on the Doctoral Workflow<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>page.<\/p>\n

Oral Exam\/Defense<\/h3>\n

Students\u00a0must successfully defend their\u00a0thesis or dissertation in an oral presentation. Please consult with your program director and program guidebook regarding requirements.<\/p>\n

Thesis\/Dissertation Submission to Mugar Memorial Library<\/h3>\n

Dissertations and theses are submitted to the Mugar Library electronically via ProQuest ETD Administrator<\/a>. Review the final draft of your dissertation or thesis as early as possible with the Thesis & Dissertation Coordinator<\/a>, Mugar Memorial Library, Room 306.<\/p>\n

Your dissertation or thesis must be in PDF format with embedded fonts and no password restrictions; otherwise the system will not accept the upload. The library has produced a guide<\/a> and a series of videos<\/a> to describe the process.<\/p>\n

Reader Signatures<\/h4>\n

The signed approval page will be uploaded separately from your dissertation as an administrative document. The approval page (page IV) on the uploaded dissertation should remain blank.<\/p>\n

Dissertation Fee<\/h4>\n

The dissertation fee can be sent directly to the Thesis & Dissertation Coordinator in Mugar Library, Room 306. Checks should be made payable to Boston University.<\/p>\n

Embargoing Your Work<\/h4>\n

Upon submission, dissertations and theses are made publicly available via OpenBU and ProQuest. In limited cases, it may be necessary to delay publication of your work. Reasons for an embargo include:<\/p>\n