Important Dates

Stephen F. Austin statue and fountain with purple water in the campus courtyard

Graduate Students and Faculty

Please remember that the application for thesis/dissertation/exhibition examination, as well as the most complete draft of your document, may be submitted at any time during the semester of intended defense. Defense dates must be at least ten days after submission of documents to both committee members and the graduate school.

Spring 2026

  • Monday, April 6
    • Applications for thesis/dissertation examinations are due.
    • Thesis/dissertation drafts must be submitted and checked for graduate/doctoral students completing work for degrees in spring 2026.
  • Friday, April 24
    • Last day to have a thesis/dissertation/comprehensive exam. Results of examinations to be filed by academic unit head.
  • Saturday, May 9
    • Deadline for all theses/dissertations/comprehensive exams/deficient coursework to be submitted to appropriate offices.

Summer 2026

  • Friday, July 10
    • Applications for thesis/dissertation examinations are due.
    • Thesis/dissertation drafts must be submitted and checked for graduate/doctoral students completing work for degrees in summer 2026.
  • Friday, July 24
    • Last day to have a thesis/dissertation/comprehensive exam. Results of examinations to be filed by academic unit head.
  • Friday, Aug. 7
    • Deadline for all theses/dissertations/comprehensive exams/deficient coursework to be submitted to appropriate offices.

Fall 2026

  • Friday, Nov. 13
    • Applications for thesis/dissertation examinations are due.
    • Thesis/dissertation drafts must be submitted and checked for graduate/doctoral students completing work for degrees in fall 2026.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 1
    • Last day to have a thesis/dissertation/comprehensive exam. Results of examinations to be filed by academic unit head.
  • Friday, Dec. 11
    • Deadline for all theses/dissertations/comprehensive exams/deficient coursework to be submitted to appropriate offices.