Statutory Deadlines

Students Enrolled in July 2026

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: July 31, 2027
Deadline for qualification exam: March 31, 2028
Deadline for credit completion: July 31, 2028
Deadline for defense: July 31, 2028

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: July 31, 2027
Deadline for credit completion: July 31, 2028
Deadline for thesis progress exam: September 30, 2028
Deadline for qualification exam: July 31, 2029
Deadline for defense: July 31, 2030

Students Enrolled in February 2026

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2027
Deadline for qualification exam: October 29, 2027
Deadline for credit completion: December 29, 2027
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original dissertation: January 29, 2028
Deadline for defense: February 29, 2028

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2027
Deadline for credit completion: February 29, 2028
Deadline for thesis progress exam: April 30, 2028
Deadline for qualification exam: February 28, 2029
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original thesis: January 30, 2030
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2030

Students Enrolled in February 2025

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2026
Deadline for qualification exam: October 29, 2026
Deadline for credit completion: December 29, 2026
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original dissertation: January 29, 2027
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2027

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2026
Deadline for credit completion: February 28, 2027
Deadline for thesis progress exam: April 30, 2027
Deadline for qualification exam: February 29, 2028
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original thesis: January 30, 2029
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2029

Students Enrolled in September 2024

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: September 5, 2025
Deadline for credit completion: September 5, 2026
Deadline for thesis progress exam: November 5, 2026
Deadline for qualification exam: September 5, 2027
Deadline for defense: September 5, 2028

Students Enrolled in February 2024

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2025
Deadline for qualification exam: October 29, 2025
Deadline for credit completion: December 29, 2025
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original dissertation: January 29, 2026
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2026

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 28, 2025
Deadline for credit completion: February 28, 2026
Deadline for thesis progress exam: April 30, 2026
Deadline for qualification exam: February 28, 2027
Deadline for defense scheduling and submission of the original thesis: January 30, 2028
Deadline for defense: February 29, 2028

Students Enrolled in July 2023

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: July 31, 2024
Deadline for qualification exam: March 31, 2025
Deadline for credit completion: July 31, 2025
Deadline for defense: July 31, 2025

Doctorate
Deadline for initial work plan: July 31, 2024
Deadline for proficiency exam: July 31, 2024
Deadline for credit completion: July 31, 2025
Deadline for thesis progress exam: September 30, 2025
Deadline for qualification exam: July 31, 2026
Deadline for defense: July 31, 2027

Students Enrolled in February 2023

Master's
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 29, 2024
Deadline for qualification exam: October 31, 2024
Deadline for credit completion: February 28, 2025
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2025

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: February 29, 2024
Deadline for initial work plan: February 29, 2024
Deadline for credit completion: February 28, 2025
Deadline for thesis progress exam: April 30, 2025
Deadline for qualification exam: February 28, 2026
Deadline for defense: February 28, 2027

Students Enrolled in October 2022

Doctorate
Deadline for proficiency exam: October 31, 2023
Deadline for initial work plan: October 31, 2023
Deadline for credit completion: October 31, 2024
Deadline for thesis progress exam: December 31, 2024
Deadline for qualification exam: October 31, 2025
Deadline for defense: October 31, 2026