Graduate School Deadlines

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Degree Checklist

All event dates below are subject to change per KU Coronavirus policies.

Spring 2026 

DateDescription
January 20Classes begin
February 3

Students who were enrolled in Fall 2025 and who meet all degree requirements for Spring 2026 graduation by February 3 will not be required to enroll for Spring 2026.

You must complete all requirements listed for May 15 by February 3.

February 27

Last date to submit the online application for degree form for commencement program. Download the form on Enroll & Pay under "Degree Progress/Graduation."

  • Doctoral students must complete the online application for degree form for the master’s upon completion of the comprehensive oral for doctorate. This is required by the University Registrar’s office.
Early MarchRSVP at Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
April 22
Or, three weeks prior to defense

Last day for master’s and doctoral candidates to report defense date to the School of Pharmacy at psteffan@ku.edu.

  • Requirements include name, title, date, and location of defense.
  • Doctoral students must include outside member name, campus address and email address.

You must notify the school at least three weeks before your defense date.

May 13Last day to defend thesis or dissertation
May 15

Last day for Spring 2026 master’s and doctoral candidates to submit the following materials to the School of Pharmacy. You may submit them in-person to Patti Steffan in the School of Pharmacy Dean’s Office or via email at psteffan@ku.edu.

1. ONLINE APPLICATION FOR DEGREE FORM

  • Complete the online form on Enroll & Pay under "Degree Progress/Graduation."
    • Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry doctoral students must complete the online application for degree form for the master’s upon completion of their comprehensive oral for doctorate.
    • Pharmacology and Toxicology doctoral students do not need to complete the online application for degree form for the master’s degree.

2. ONLINE SUBMISSION OF THESIS OR DISSERTATION

3. SIGNED ACCEPTANCE AND TITLE PAGE

4. ETD RELEASE FORM

5. (DOCTORAL CANDIDATES ONLY) - COPY OF CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR DOCTORAL COMPLETION SURVEY

May 16RSVP at Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
May 17Commencement

Summer 2026

DateDescription
June 1Classes begin
June 8

Students who were enrolled in Spring 2026 and who meet all degree requirements for Summer 2026 graduation by June 8 will not be required to enroll for Summer 2026.

You must complete all requirements listed for July 24 by June 8.

July 8,
Or, two weeks prior to defense

Last day for master’s and doctoral candidates to report defense date to the School of Pharmacy at psteffan@ku.edu.

  • Requirements include name, title, date, and location of defense.

  • Doctoral students must include outside member name, campus address and email address.

    You must notify the school at least two weeks before your defense date.

July 20Last day to defend thesis or dissertation
July 24

Last day for Summer 2026 master’s and doctoral candidates to submit the following materials to the School of Pharmacy. 

You may submit them in-person to Patti Steffan in the School of Pharmacy Dean’s Office or via email at psteffan@ku.edu.

1. ONLINE APPLICATION FOR DEGREE FORM

  • Complete the online form on Enroll & Pay under "Degree Progress/Graduation."
    • Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry doctoral students must complete the online application for degree form for the master’s upon completion of their comprehensive oral for doctorate.
    • Pharmacology and Toxicology doctoral students do not need to complete the online application for degree form for the master’s degree.

2. ONLINE SUBMISSION OF THESIS OR DISSERTATION

3. SIGNED ACCEPTANCE AND TITLE PAGE

4. ETD RELEASE FORM

5. (DOCTORAL CANDIDATES ONLY) - COPY OF CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR DOCTORAL COMPLETION SURVEY

Early MarchRSVP for the 2027 at Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.
August 1August degrees are awarded, to be formally conferred at May 2027 Commencement Ceremony.

Fall 2026 

DateDescription
August 24Classes begin
September 8

Students who were enrolled in Summer 2026 and who meet all degree requirements for Fall 2026 graduation by Sept. 8 will not be required to enroll for Fall 2026.

You must complete all requirements listed for Dec. 18 by Sept. 8.

November 25
Or, three weeks prior to defense

Last day for master’s and doctoral candidates to report defense date to the School of Pharmacy at psteffan@ku.edu.

  • Requirements include name, title, date, and location of defense.
  • Doctoral students must include outside member name, campus address and email address.

You must notify the school at least three weeks before your defense date.

December 14Last day to defend thesis or dissertation
December 18

Last day for Fall 2026 master’s and doctoral candidates to submit the following materials to the School of Pharmacy. You may submit them in-person to Patti Steffan in the School of Pharmacy Dean’s Office or via email at psteffan@ku.edu.

1. ONLINE APPLICATION FOR DEGREE FORM

  • Complete the online form on Enroll & Pay under "Degree Progress/Graduation."
    • Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry doctoral students must complete the online application for degree form for the master’s upon completion of their comprehensive oral for doctorate.
    • Pharmacology and Toxicology doctoral students do not need to complete the online application for degree form for the master’s degree.

2. ONLINE SUBMISSION OF THESIS OR DISSERTATION

3. SIGNED ACCEPTANCE AND TITLE PAGE

4. ETD RELEASE FORM

5. (DOCTORAL CANDIDATES ONLY) - COPY OF CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR DOCTORAL COMPLETION SURVEY

Early MarchRSVP at Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
December 31December degrees are awarded, to be formally conferred at May 2027 Commencement Ceremony.