Forms Needed to Apply to Graduate: 

Prior to November 21, 2025: Master’s thesis and PhDs must submit an Advisor/Committee form
By no later than November 21, 2025: Certificate, Master’s Thesis, and PHD students must submit Degree Audit form and PhDs must submit Admission to Candidacy form 

MAY CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST AND DEADLINES

Spring 2026 Registration Required

Application to Graduate:
Deadline to Apply to Graduate in Trailhead for Spring 2026 graduation, is the first day of classes for the Spring 2026 term, January 12, 2026. Students will then be enrolled in a CANVAS Graduation Check-Out Course when it is ready.

Non-Thesis Master’s Students
April 27, 2026: Complete CANVAS Check-Out Course

Master’s Thesis & PhD Students

Deadlines to participate in Spring Commencement:

April 27, 2026: Complete Graduation Check-Out Course in CANVAS
April 27, 2026: Submit signed Thesis Defense Form to OGS in person or via the Submit Form Button
-Thesis Defense Form is available only at the end of the 1st quiz in the Graduation Check-Out Course
-Thesis Defense Form should only be signed by advisor/committee after the student has defended, passed the defense and completed all revisions.
April 27, 2026: Upload content approved thesis in ProQuest
– Format of thesis should follow OGS guidelines.
– Formatting Checklist and templates available here.
– Only after you have completed all the steps above, will the format review begin.
– Respond to any format revisions requested by OGS.
May 8, 2026: Thesis Formatting Approval

Deadlines if not participating in Spring Commencement, but can request to walk in Fall:

Note, all requirements should be met by May 15, 2026, as this is the last day of Spring term. Under certain conditions, exceptions may be considered; please contact Assistant Dean Jenny Briggs (jsbriggs@mines.edu) with questions.

May 15, 2026: Complete Graduation Check-Out Course in CANVAS
May 15, 2026: Submit signed Thesis Defense Form to OGS in person or via the Submit Form Button
-Thesis Defense Form is available only at the end of the 1st quiz in the Graduation Check-Out Course
-Thesis Defense Form should only be signed by advisor/committee after the student has defended, passed the defense and completed all revisions.
May 15, 2026: Upload content approved thesis in ProQuest
– Format of thesis should follow OGS guidelines.
– Formatting Checklist and templates available here.
– Only after you have completed all the steps above, will the format review begin.
– Respond to any format revisions requested by OGS.
May 29, 2026: Thesis Formatting Approval

Deadline to Apply to Graduate in Trailhead for Summer 2026 graduation, was April 15, 2026 but has been extended to July 1, 2026.

There is no commencement ceremony in the Summer – Students may walk in the Fall commencement ceremony (degree award date of August 15, 2026 will be on transcript).

Degree awarding process will occur approximately 10 business days after the August 15 award date.

All Summer Graduates must meet these deadlines:

By no later than March 1, 2026: Submit an Advisor/Committee form (Master’s Thesis and PhD students)
By no later than March 1, 2026: Submit a Degree Audit form (Certificate, Master’s Thesis and PhD students)
By no later than March 1, 2026: Submit an Admission to Candidacy form (PhD only)

Office of Graduate Studies will enroll the students in a CANVAS Graduation Check-Out Course for the term they plan to graduate.

AUGUST CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST AND DEADLINES

Summer registration required

Non-Thesis Master’s Students
August 10, 2026: Complete CANVAS Graduation Check-Out Course

Thesis & PhD Students
August 10, 2026:Complete Graduation Check-Out Course in CANVAS
August 15, 2026: Submit signed Thesis Defense Form to OGS in person or via the Submit Form Button
-Thesis Defense Form is available only at the end of the 1st quiz in the Graduation Check-Out Course
-Thesis Defense Form should only be signed by advisor/committee after the student has defended, passed the defense and completed all revisions.
August 15, 2026: Upload content approved thesis in ProQuest
– Format of thesis should follow OGS guidelines.
– Formatting Checklist and templates available here.
– Only after you have completed all the steps above, will the format review begin.
– Respond to any format revisions requested by OGS.
August 31, 2026: Thesis Formatting Approval

If you have any questions about these deadlines, please contact grad.services@mines.edu

The deadline to apply to graduate is October 1, 2026, however, we recommend applying by September 15 if you would like to order the hat for commencement. For instructions on how to apply, click here.

Forms to Submit Prior to Applying to Graduate:

Prior to August 31, 2026: Master’s thesis and PhDs must submit Committee form  
Prior to August 31, 2026: All graduate students must submit Degree Audit form
PhD Only: Prior to August 31, 2026: All PhD students must submit Admission to Candidacy form 

• OGS will send an invite for the student to enroll in the CANVAS Graduation Check-Out Course
• Degrees will be awarded approximately 10 business days after final grades are due.
• Students may walk in December commencement ceremony.

DECEMBER CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST AND DEADLINES

Fall registration required

Non-Thesis Master’s Students
Submit Master’s Non-Thesis Course Exception Form only if applicable. Students need to check degree evaluation in Degree Works to make sure they are meeting all degree requirements and have all the credits needed to graduate.
November 30, 2026: Complete CANVAS Graduation Check-Out Course

Thesis & PhD Students
November 30, 2026: Complete Graduation Check-Out Course in CANVAS
November 30, 2026: Submit signed Thesis Defense Form to OGS in person or via the Submit Form Button
-Thesis Defense Form is available only at the end of the 1st quiz in the Graduation Check-Out Course
-Thesis Defense Form should only be signed by advisor/committee after the student has defended, passed the defense and completed all revisions.
November 30, 2026: Upload content approved thesis in ProQuest
– Format of thesis should follow OGS guidelines.
– Formatting Checklist and templates available here.
– Only after you have completed all the steps above, will the format review begin.
– Respond to any format revisions requested by OGS.
December 11, 2026: Thesis Formatting Approval