Milestone 6: Submission of Dissertation and Graduation

The final steps of the doctoral journey are to submit the final dissertation and complete all remaining graduation steps. For Doctoral Candidates who have successfully defended their dissertation, this is the final step to earning the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Doctoral Candidates may begin using the title “Dr.” once their degree has been conferred.

Submission of the final dissertation requires adherence to Graduate School Formatting norms and requires a signed “Thesis/Dissertation Deposit Agreement” that allows the dissertation to be published in ProQuest. Students may also elect to “embargo” their dissertation for ethical, commercial, or publishing reasons. An embargoed dissertation is considered complete but will not be published until the embargo is lifted. Students may consult with their advisor and read Graduate School Guidance on delaying publication of dissertations.

Once all graduation steps are completed, students will receive notification by email that they have completed their degree by the end of the month of the final submission. At this time, Candidates may begin to use the title “Doctor” and add “Ph.D.” to their title. Graduates’ diplomas will arrive by mail in the address on file with the University of Minnesota after the graduation month, but transcripts are available online immediately.

A final consideration for graduates is to attend CEHD’s Commencement ceremony, which occurs each May. Commencement is a formal celebration of accomplishments. At this ceremony, Doctors of Philosophy are ceremonially “hooded” by their advisors. In this ceremonial act, new graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) walk across the stage and hand their doctoral hood to their advisor, who places the hood on their shoulders to mark completion of the Doctorate. CEHD typically begins advertising commencement details in early Spring semester. Commencement regalia is available for sale or rent at the University of Minnesota bookstore. May commencement ceremonies are intended for any student who graduated, or will graduate, in the same calendar year as the commencement ceremony. Note that the Graduate School itself does not hold a separate ceremony, as is done at some institutions.