Diplomas
The Registrar's Office distributes diplomas. Diplomas are not available until after the degree is conferred. Because there is no commencement in August or December, graduates complete a diploma/in absentia form to obtain their diploma. Students may opt to pick up their diploma, have the diploma mailed, or request that the diploma be held by the Registrar's Office until commencement.
May graduates complete the diploma form only if they do not intend to participate in commencement. Diplomas will be distributed after the unified ceremony on Saturday. To assist the SSE Graduate Studies office in providing you with important information, your current, valid mailing address and a current email address should be on file with this office. This information should be included on the diploma form (printed in maroon ink). This form is required to complete the application for degree process. The form can be obtained from the SSE Graduate Studies office. The information on the diploma form is also provided to the University Registrar for mailing your diploma if you wish it to be mailed to you. An acceptable mailing address, not a post office box number, must be provided on this form. The address can be used by all university offices to provide you with information about graduation.
Required Forms
Students who wish to graduate must complete an application for degree. Applications for degree must be filed for the current term. Applications filed in previous terms are not valid.
Students earning a Master's Degree must complete the following forms:
| Forms | Information |
| Application for Degree | Filed for the current term; available in Science and Engineering Dean's office |
| Final Examination/Oral Defense Form | For students who completed a thesis |
Ph.D. students are required to complete the following forms:
| Forms | Information |
| Application for Degree | Filed for the current term; available in Science and Engineering Dean's office |
| Final Examination/Oral Defense Form | Required |
| UMI Form | Required |
| Survey of Earned Doctorates | Required |
Thesis/Dissertation Submission
Understandably, submitting a thesis or dissertation can be the most challenging and stressful part of completing one's degree requirements. Students should allow themselves ample time to defend their theses/dissertations and complete any necessary revisions before the submission deadline posted by the School of Science and Engineering Graduate Studies office. The thesis submitted to the SSE Graduate Studies office must be the final copy, on archival quality paper, with original signatures of the committee.
Theses/Dissertations have to be in a specific format. Formatting instructions can be found in the Guideline for Preparing Theses and Dissertations. Students may have their dissertations reviewed for formatting prior to submitting the final copy.
Dissertations are not accepted after the submission deadline.
Minority and Women Graduates
Minority and Women Doctoral Directory is a registry which maintains up-to-date information on employment candidates who have recently received, or are soon to receive, a Doctoral or Master's degree in their respective fields.
National Minority Faculty Identification Program is a service for member institutions and minority candidates seeking first-time or advanced faculty positions in higher education.