Case Western Reserve University: School of Graduate Studies: Instructions for Masters Graduation

Students who fail to meet the established deadlines must reapply to graduate. Do this by submitting another application. Adhere to deadline dates. Check the graduation calendar.

You will need a graduation packet -
The packet contains all the necessary forms and instructions for graduation.

Download: Master’s Plan A Graduation Packet

Download: Master’s Plan B Graduation Packet

GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MASTER’S PLAN A CANDIDATES

Download the Master’s Plan A Graduation Packet

Please consult the Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin for an explanation of all the requirements for the Master’s degree. When you apply for graduation, your file will be reviewed for completion of these requirements. You should consult your adviser or department chair regarding departmental requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

The Master’s Plan A Graduation Packet Includes:

Application for Graduation. Must be completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the deadline indicated on the calendar. Please note that you must have your adviser and department chair sign the form. If you are reapplying, you only need to obtain your adviser’s signature. It is best to discuss plans for completion, including your defense and the availability of committee members at the time your adviser signs the form.
Final Certification of the Master's Degree. Two duplicate certification forms requiring all the relevant signatures necessary for graduation. Both forms are then submitted to the School of Graduate Studies with your other final materials.
Signature Sheets. Two copies must be signed by each of the members of your committee and must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies with your other final materials. Obtain the signatures at your defense.
Formatting Your ETD Instructions and Submission Checklist. Includes all information regarding format requirements and submission of the thesis. These instructions supersede any format specifications available in your department, the library, previously published theses or by fellow students.
Request for Waiver of Registration. If you cannot meet the deadlines to complete all the requirements to graduate in one term but can finish before the next term begins, you can apply for a waiver of registration for the next term. You must be registered for at least one credit hour in the semester preceding the one for which you intend to use the waiver. Complete the waiver form and submit it by the deadline noted on the calendar.
Copyright Registration Instructions (Optional). See Formatting your ETD for more information.
Student Status Form. Required at time of submission of Application for Graduation.

STEPS TO COMPLETION

Complete, obtain the appropriate signatures, and submit the Application for Graduation to the School of Graduate Studies by the established deadline for the term.
Working with your adviser and committee members, decide on a date, time and place for your final oral exam (defense), making certain that the defense date occurs before the established deadline for the term. (Note that the advisor has to agree that the thesis is ready to defend.)
Submit copies of your thesis to the members of your defense committee at least ten days before your defense date.
At the conclusion of your successful defense, have your adviser sign the two Final Certification for the Master’s Degree forms and have your committee sign the two signature sheets.
If you are required to make corrections to your thesis manuscript, make the corrections and then have your adviser sign the certification forms where indicated. If no corrections are required, have your adviser sign the forms at your defense.
Once your adviser has signed the certification forms, then you can obtain your department chair’s signature. Do not wait until the last minute to do this.
Submit a completed copy of your thesis to the School of Graduate Studies for a format check. See ETD Instructions and Checklist.
Upload the final, approved copy of the completed thesis as a PDF file to OhioLink. See Formatting Your ETD and ETD Submission Checklist.

FINAL MATERIALS

Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies by the established deadlines:

Two Certification forms with all appropriate signatures (The signature of the Dean of Graduate Studies will be provided after submission.)
Two signature sheets (both originals) with committee signatures and date of defense
Two printed copies of your Title Page and Abstract
One completed Student Status Form (for students continuing on for Ph.D.)

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

All master’s students must be registered for at least one credit hour of 651 in the term in which they defend and/or graduate, unless eligible for the Waiver of Registration.

Each graduate student must have on file an approved Planned Program of Study. If you have already filed a Planned Program of Study, but there have been changes in the courses taken from those listed on your form, please complete a revision form and submit it along with your Application for Graduation.

It is the policy of the university to hold diplomas and final transcripts until all financial obligations are met. Be sure you have cleared all financial obligations at least one week prior to graduation to avoid any delay in receiving your diploma and final transcript.

Should you have questions or need more information, please contact the School of Graduate Studies at 368-4400 or 368-4401.

GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MASTER’S PLAN B CANDIDATES

Download the Master’s Plan B Graduation Packet

First make sure that you will be able to graduate this term. Please look carefully at the calendar, noting the various deadlines. It takes planning and coordination with your adviser to be able to meet these deadlines. If you cannot finish by the established deadline, you may qualify for the registration waiver for the following semester. Please notify the School of Graduate Studies if you will not graduate in the term of application, in which case, you must submit a new application for graduation for the subsequent semester.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

The Master’s Plan B Graduation Packet Includes:

Calendar. Includes all the relevant dates for the term of application. Please review carefully and plan accordingly.
Application for Graduation. The Application for Graduation must be completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the deadline indicated on the calendar. Please note that you must have your adviser and department chair sign the form. If you are reapplying, you only need to obtain your adviser’s signature.
Final Certification of the Master’s Degree. Two duplicate certification forms containing all the relevant signatures necessary for graduation. Note that a date must be entered for your Comprehensive Final Oral Examination and completion of your Project (if required). Your adviser and department chair must sign. The cards are then submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
Request for Waiver of Registration. If you cannot meet the deadlines to complete all the requirements to graduate in one term but can finish before the next term begins, you can apply for a waiver of registration for the next term. You must be registered for at least one credit hour in the term preceding the one for which you intend to use the waiver. Complete the waiver form and all requirements by the deadline noted on the calendar. You will then be eligible to graduate at the end of the next term.
Student Status Form. Required at time of submission of Application for Graduation.

STEPS TO COMPLETION

Complete, obtain the appropriate signatures, and submit the Application for Graduation to the School of Graduate Studies by the established deadline for the term. If you have not previously completed a Planned Program of Study, you must submit it with your application.
Working with your adviser, decide on a date for your comprehensive or final oral examination. If not required for your program, then decide on a date for completion of your project. Note: Graduate Studies does not need to approve or be informed about the particulars of the exam scheduling.
At the successful completion of your exam or project, have your adviser sign the two yellow cards.
Once your adviser has signed the certification forms, then you can obtain your department chair’s signature.
Don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Department chairs are not always available to sign on the last day to submit the certification forms. Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies by the established deadline:
• Two certification forms with all appropriate signatures except for the Graduate Dean’s.

FINAL MATERIALS

Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies by the published deadlines:

Two Certification forms with all appropriate signatures (the signature of the Dean of Graduate Studies will be provided after submission.)
One completed Student Status Form (applicable to students continuing into PhD program)

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

All Master’s Plan B students must be registered for at least one credit hour for the term in which they graduate, unless eligible for the Registration Waiver.

Each graduate student must submit an approved Planned Program of Study on-line. If you have already filed a Planned Program of Study on-line, but there have been changes in the courses taken from those approved, please complete a new version and submit it prior to submitting your application for graduation.

Please consult the Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin for an explanation of all the requirements for the Master’s degree. When you apply for graduation, your file will be reviewed for completion of these requirements. You should consult your adviser or department chair regarding departmental requirements.

The deadlines on the calendar are firm. If, for any reason, you are unable to meet the specified deadlines, you will be ineligible to graduate in the term for which you have applied, and you must reapply for a subsequent term. Please notify the School of Graduate Studies if you will not graduate in the term of application.

It is the policy of the university to withhold diplomas and final transcripts until all financial obligations are met. Be sure you have cleared all financial obligations at least one week prior to graduation to avoid any delay in receiving your diploma and final transcript.

Should you have questions or need more information, please contact the School of Graduate Studies at 368-4390.

graduation fees

No graduation fees are required for Master’s students.

Commencement

Vist the CWRU Commencement pages http://www.cwru.edu/commencement/index.html