Forms for Graduating Students
Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) — MS, MEng, and PhD
This online form is used to declare that you plan to graduate in a given semester.
All graduate students must complete this online form during the semester in which
they plan to graduate by the deadline set by the Graduate School. This serves as a
declaration of intent to graduate and an application for degree completion.
Fall 2019
Recommended Deadline to submit GAFD for Fall 2019: November 1st, 2019
Absolute Deadline to submit GAFD for Fall 2019: November 26th, 2019
Proposed Course of Study (PCOS) Forms — MS, MEng only
Used to check progress toward a degree and, at the time of graduation, to show which courses are being counted toward your degree. Forms for each graduate program are available electronically below, and can also be obtained from your department or the Director of Graduate Affairs.
The Director of Graduate Affairs submits this form, along with your "Recommendation for Award of Master's Degree", to the Graduate School at the time of graduation.
Award of Degree Forms
Recommendation for Award of Master's (MS, MEng) Degree
Used at time of graduation to submit proof of degree completion to the Graduate School.
Form to be signed by a faculty adviser and Graduate Director, and then submitted to Ellen Tilden (Director of Graduate Affairs) who will submit this form, along with your “Proposed Course of Study/Graduation Check,” to the Graduate School at the time of graduation. All MS/MEng candidates must complete this form.
Recommendation for Award of Doctoral (PhD) Degree
Used at time of graduation to submit proof of degree completion to the Graduate School.
Form to be signed by student's examining committee and Graduate Director, and then submitted to Ellen Tilden (Director of Graduate Affairs) who will submit this form to the Graduate School at the time of graduation.
All PhD candidates must complete this form. PhD students should submit their 'Survey of Earned Doctorates' (SED) and other requirements directly to the Graduate School (AD 134).
Forms for Ph.D. Students
Copies of these forms should be sent to the Director of Graduate Affairs to be placed in the student's permanent file.
Principal Adviser/Guidance Committee
Used generally during the first year of Ph.D. study to designate the student's principal
doctoral adviser and other faculty who will serve on the student's dissertation committee.
This form is also used to notify the Graduate School of a change to the student's Principal Adviser/Guidance Committee.
Statement of PhD Research Interest
Used along with the Principal Adviser/Guidance Committee form to state the research interests which the student expects to pursue, and proposed members of the Ph.D. Guidance Committee.
Learning Contract (Recommended Format)
Sample paper document used to show the recommended format for the Learning Contract,
which outlines the requirements for passing the Comprehensive Exam.
Students should work with their faculty adviser and guidance committee to prepare their Learning Contract.
Recommendation for Admission to Candidacy (ABD Form)
This form is used generally after the student has completed their Comprehensive Exam(s)
to declare to the Graduate School that a student is being admitted to candidacy (ABD)
for the doctoral degree.
This form should be submitted to the Graduate School at least one month prior to the student's dissertation defense.
Other Forms
Late Add/Change/Withdraw
Used to add, drop or change a course after the add/drop deadline.
Each change after the add/drop deadline will incur a $20 late fee.
Leave of Absence
This form is to be used by students who are requesting a leave of absence from graduate
studies for up to one academic year.
The form is to be completed and submitted to the Graduate School at least one month prior to the start of the semester for which the leave is requested.
Note: A leave of absence will be granted by the Graduate School "only in exceptional circumstances, such as illness or other unusual personal hardship, and requires detailed justification." A copy of this form should be sent to the Coordinator of Graduate Affairs to be placed in the student's permanent file.
