Graduate Program Deadlines
The following deadlines apply to students who anticipate receiving their advanced degrees at the time indicated. The deadlines are for graduate programs only, which are separate from student benefit/health insurance end dates.
International students, who wish to request a Reduced Courseload in their final semester, should apply for graduation before the start of the final semester to ensure compliance with ISSO guidelines.
| Official Graduation | Jan 16, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | Aug 25, 2025 |
| Graduation Application due at GPO | Nov 1, 2025 | Mar 1, 2026 | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Master’s Students | |||
| Thesis Proposal | Aug 15, 2025 | Dec 10, 2025 | Apr 30, 2025 |
| Thesis defense | Dec 19, 2025 | Apr 17, 2026 | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Approved thesis due in the department/division and BU library |
Jan 2, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | Aug 8, 2025 |
| Doctoral Students | |||
| Dissertation defense | Dec 19, 2025 | Apr 17, 2026 | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Approved dissertation due in the department/division and BU library |
Jan 2, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | Aug 8, 2025 |
* The graduation application is valid only for the graduation date specified; a new application must be filed as soon as possible if the student cannot graduate as planned.
** Thesis defense and PhD dissertation defense must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of defense date. A Master’s Thesis/PhD dissertation announcement document must be submitted to the department/division.
*** All PhD degree requirements are complete only when both copies of the dissertation have been approved by the department/division and accepted by the library. A request for an extension must be made through the department, not the library.