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Master's Students

As a master’s degree student, you are encouraged to plan ahead and submit your manuscript as early as possible to ensure ample time for necessary revisions. Delay in submission will result in postponement of your graduation date. 

Thesis and Dissertation Forms Nominate your mentor 3MT & GSS
Important dates

Summer 2023 semester

  • July 14
    • Last day to defend thesis
      • If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Summer 2023 and must update your graduation semester.
  • July 21
    • Last day to obtain thesis format approval from the Graduate School
      • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
      • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than JULY 21.  
  • July 28
    • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.   

Fall 2023 semester

  • November 3
    • Last day to defend thesis
      • If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Fall 2023 and must update your graduation semester.
  • November 10
    • Last day to obtain thesis format approval from the Graduate School
      • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
      • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than NOVEMBER 10.  
  • November 17
    • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.   

Winter 2024 semester

  • March 13
    • Last day to defend thesis
      • If you do not defend by this date, you will be denied graduation for Winter 2024 and must update your graduation semester.
  • March 20
    • Last day to obtain thesis format approval from the Graduate School
      • You must meet with the thesis/dissertation coordinator for final draft review.
      • You must complete all format corrections and attain format approval from the Graduate School, no later than MARCH 20.  
  • March 27
    • Last day to submit required copies of approved thesis to the Graduate School for binding in fulfillment of degree requirements.   

Please visit the OU calendar page for additional information and deadlines.

Thesis process

When submitting a thesis, you have the option to meet with a thesis and dissertation coordinator. Meetings are by appointment only; no walk-ins are accepted. Review the whole thesis process by visiting the Thesis and Dissertation page.

Helpful tools

In addition to the graduate program catalog, graduate course description catalog (which is updated daily) and the graduate student policy, these tools will help you to maintain good academic standing at OU.

Please contact your adviser or graduate program coordinator for specific program requirements.

Graduate School

O'Dowd Hall, Room 520
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2700


Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.