Graduate Handbook and Forms

Graduate Student Handbook

The Department of Geography and Environmental Systems releases a yearly Graduate Student Handbook with policies and procedures specific to the department, including potential timelines for graduate progression. The most recent handbook can be downloaded below.

Graduate Student Handbook 2021-2022

Ph.D. Progression and Forms

Form/Deadline

Due Date

Annual Report *

Last Day of the Final Exams of each Spring Semester

Initial Ph.D. Advisory Committee Meeting Report *

End of the 2nd semester of enrollment

Pre-Comprehensive Exam Advisory Committee Meeting Report *

End of the 3rd semester of enrollment

Report on the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination *

End of the 4th semester of enrollment

Report on the Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal *

End of the semester following passing the Comprehensive Examination

Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Upon Passing the Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal

Application for Diploma for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Enrollment Day 10 of terminal semester

Nomination of Members For The Final Examination Committee

6 months prior to defense

Deliver Dissertation to Readers

20 business days prior to the defense

Announcement of Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

2 weeks prior to the defense

Certification of Completion of Doctoral Dissertation

10 business days prior to the defense

Deliver Dissertation to the Committee

10 business days to the defense

Report on the Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation *

7 weeks prior to commencement

Approval Sheet

3 weeks prior to commencement

* Departmental form; all others are submitted to the Graduate School

Master’s Degree Progression and Forms

Form/Deadline

Due Date

Annual Report*

Last Day of the Final Exams
of each Spring Semester

Initial M.S. Advisory Committee Meeting Report*

End of the 2nd semester of enrollment

Application for Diploma for Master’s Degree

Enrollment Day 10 of terminal semester

Nomination of Members For The Final Examination Committee

2 months prior to defense

Deliver Thesis to Readers

20 business days prior to the defense

Certification of Completion of Master’s Thesis

10 business days prior to the defense

Deliver Thesis to the Committee

10 business days prior to the defense

Report on the Defense of the Master’s Thesis*

7 weeks prior to commencement

Certification of Completion of Master’s Degree Requirements

3 weeks prior to commencement

Approval Sheet

3 weeks prior to commencement

* Departmental form; all others are submitted to the Graduate School

5-Year Pathway

5 year pathway advising report                                                                       Final semester of Senior year

Scholarly paper approval form                                                                        3 weeks prior to commencement