Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Graduation Deadlines & Checklist (2025–2026)

Key Dates at a Glance

Task	Fall 2025	Spring 2026	Summer 2026
Defend thesis/dissertation	Oct 24	Mar 27	June 26
Final ETD submission	Oct 31	Apr 3	July 6
Remove all I/PR grades	Nov 10	Apr 17	July 10
Official graduation date (on diploma)	Dec 12	May 8	Aug 6

Step-by-Step Checklist

1. 1. Approval to Defend & File Intent to Graduate
   Deadline → Fall: Sep 5 | Spring: Feb 1 | Summer: June 3
   
   • Submit Approval to Schedule Defense form to your Student Affairs Advocate
      → PhD students: publication must be accepted/in-press/published
      → Select your Dean’s Representative on the form. The Dean’s Representative must hold a primary GSBS graduate faculty appointment outside the student’s concentration.
   
   • Review the Suggested Guidelines for the Final Oral Examination for additional information.
   
   • File Statement of Intention to Graduate (submit a new one every time your date changes). Students in non-thesis option do not require a signature.
2. 2. Defense Notification & Share Thesis/Dissertation
   
   • 3 weeks before defense: Provide defense notification to department coordinator and GSBS Student Affairs Advocate. Use the template link for the notification.
   • 2 weeks before defense: Debbie Martinez emails title page for review.
   • Email full thesis/dissertation to all committee members + Dean’s Rep.
3. 3. Apply to Graduate, Order Regalia & Pay Fees
   Most deadlines → Fall: Nov 12 | Spring: Feb 1 | Summer: July 6
   
   • TTUHSC Graduation Application (double-check diploma mailing address)
   • Order cap & gown (only if participating in May commencement): westtexasgrad.com
   • Pay Graduation Fee + one-time $50 ETD fee at HSC Bursar’s Office
4. 4. Defend & Turn in Signature Forms
   Defense by Oct 24 | Mar 27 | June 26  Signature forms due Oct 31 | Apr 3 | July 6
   
   • Bring correct signature pages to defense:
      → MS: Written Thesis Signature Form
      → PhD: Written Dissertation Signature Form and Dissertation Evaluation Rubric
   • Submit signed Oral Defense + Approval forms to GSBS immediately following defense
5. 5. Final ETD Submission & Clear Grades
   ETD due Oct 31 | Apr 3 | July 6  I/PR grades removed by Nov 10 | Apr 17 | July 10
   
   • Review the Final ETD Checklist before submission.
   • Email final PDF + ETD submission form to pamela.johnson@ttuhsc.edu
   • Follow official formatting manual
   • PhD only: Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
6. 6. Diplomas & Optional Binding
   
   • GSBS no longer requires a bound copy of the thesis/dissertation.
   • If copies are required for mentor/advisory committee or personal copies, order at thesisondemand.com after ETD approval.
   • Diploma pickup:
      → May grads: at commencement
      → Dec/Aug grads: contact Registrar’s Office
7. 7. Commencement (Spring only)
   Friday, May 8, 2026
   Time & location will be emailed ~1 month prior