{"id":2022,"date":"2012-01-06T16:16:45","date_gmt":"2012-01-06T21:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/?page_id=2022"},"modified":"2026-07-28T09:49:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:49:05","slug":"graduation-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/academics\/phd-and-mfa-academics\/graduation-information\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD Graduation Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

PhD Graduation Information<\/h3>\n

The following information and deadlines apply to students who anticipate receiving their PhD degrees at one of the following graduation cycles. Departments\/programs may impose additional deadlines.<\/p>\n

We only guarantee that we’ll make students official before their graduation date. We cannot rush any graduation procedures for any individual student. Please be patient, and know that you’ll be made official before your graduation date.<\/p>\n

Students looking towards their defense should have completed their degree requirements as outlined in the Boston University Bulletin, including the Dissertation Prospectus.<\/p>\n

When finishing a degree, students must be registered in the semester in which the final degree requirements are completed; PhD students must also be registered in the preceding semester.<\/p>\n

Please contact the GRS Records office with any questions that are unanswered on this page by emailing grsrec@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Graduation Checklist<\/h3>\n

Prior to Defense<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

The Dissertation Prospectus Approval Page<\/a> should be delivered to GRS as soon as it is approved, but no later than 6 months before your dissertation defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nAugust 25, 2026<\/strong><\/td>\nJanuary 15, 2027<\/strong><\/b><\/td>\nMay 16, 2027<\/strong><\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intent to Graduate<\/a><\/td>\nMay 29, 2026<\/td>\nSeptember 17, 2026<\/td>\nJanuary 21, 2027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Formatted draft of dissertation submitted to grsrec@bu.edu<\/a><\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.*<\/span><\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.*<\/span><\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.*<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Special Service Appointments (if applicable)<\/a><\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.<\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.<\/td>\nAt least three weeks prior to the dissertation defense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Last Date to Hold Final Oral Exam<\/td>\nJuly 10, 2026<\/td>\nDecember 3, 2026<\/td>\nApril 8, 2027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Following Defense<\/h4>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nAugust 25, 2026<\/strong><\/td>\nJanuary 15, 2027<\/strong><\/b><\/td>\nMay 16, 2027<\/strong><\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Last date for submission of final dissertation to Pro QuestETD<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Signed Reader Approval Page with Original Signatures via DocusSign<\/a><\/p>\n

$115.00 Dissertation Processing Fee<\/a><\/p>\n

PhD Contact Information form<\/a><\/p>\n

BU Doctoral Exit Survey<\/p>\n

Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)<\/td>\n

July 17, 2026<\/td>\nDecember 10,\u00a02026<\/td>\nApril 15, 2027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Last date for submission to ETD for graduation in the next semester without registering for that semester<\/td>\nAugust 7, 2026<\/td>\nJanuary 7, 2027<\/td>\nMay 6, 2027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Please find more information about these requirements below<\/em><\/strong><\/h7><\/p>\n