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Graduation Requirements

Smiling doctoral student in regalia being hooded on stage at Commencement

Overview

Below are program completion and graduation deadlines for graduate students enrolled in quarter programs ONLY. Please note that individual programs, colleges or schools may have EARLIER deadlines than those listed below. Please consult with your program officials. Semester program students should consult their individual program, college or school for graduation requirements and deadlines.

Graduation Dates & Deadlines

Summer Quarter 2025

  • Complete and submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Monday, July 21, 2025.*
  • Complete a successful oral defense by the last day of classes (to allow ample time for revisions and eForms submission by the deadline below) by Saturday, August 30, 2025.
  • Summer term degree conferral date is Saturday, September 6, 2025.
  • For PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option students ONLY: Complete the ProQuest and eForms submission process with all approvals by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Fall Quarter 2025

  • Complete and submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Monday, October 20, 2025.
  • Complete a successful oral defense by the last day of classes (to allow ample time for revisions and eForms submission by the deadline below) by Saturday, December 6, 2025.
  • Fall term degree conferral date is Saturday, December 13, 2025.
  • For PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option students ONLY: Complete the ProQuest and eForms submission process with all approvals by 4 p.m. EST Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Winter Quarter 2026

  • Complete and submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Monday, February 2, 2026.
  • Complete a successful oral defense by the last day of classes (to allow ample time for revisions and eForms submission by the deadline below) by Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • Winter term degree conferral date is Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • For PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option students ONLY: Complete the ProQuest and eForms submission process with all approvals by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Spring Quarter 2026

  • Complete and submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Friday, May 1, 2026.*
  • Complete a successful oral defense by the last day of classes (to allow ample time for revisions and eForms submission by the deadline below) by Saturday, June 6, 2026.
  • Spring term degree conferral date is Saturday, June 13, 2026.
  • For PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option students ONLY: Complete the ProQuest and eForms submission process with all approvals by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

*You MUST submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Friday, May 1, 2026 in order to be listed in the official 2026 Commencement program. No exceptions. For summer graduates who wish to participate in the June 2026 Commencement ceremonies and be listed in the official program as a walkthrough, please refer to the Walkthrough Information.

Summer Quarter 2026

  • Complete and submit an Application for Degree via DrexelOne by Monday, July 20, 2026.*
  • Complete a successful oral defense by the last day of classes (to allow ample time for revisions and eForms submission by the deadline below) by Saturday, August 29, 2026.
  • Summer term degree conferral date is Saturday, September 5, 2026.
  • For PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option students ONLY: Complete the ProQuest and eForms submission process with all approvals  by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

*If you wish to participate in the June 2026 Commencement ceremonies and be listed in the official program, you MUST submit an Application for Degree for summer term by Friday, May 1, 2026. You must also meet the eligibility criteria and follow all instructions outlined in the Walkthrough Information.

Graduation Requirements Checklist

The following graduation checklist is for graduate students enrolled in quarter programs. Graduate students should also contact their program officials for additional graduation requirements and deadlines. Semester program students should consult their individual program, college or school for graduation requirements and deadlines.

Step 1: Satisfy the Degree Requirements

In order to be considered a degree candidate, you must satisfy all academic degree and other requirements established by your program. Please consult your supervising professor(s) and assigned faculty and/or professional staff graduate academic advisor(s) about your degree requirements and progress to degree. Please also refer to the Graduate Degree Requirements on the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Step 2: Submit an Application for Degree in DrexelOne

Submit an Application for Degree in your DrexelOne portal by the posted deadline. You MUST submit an Application for Degree by the posted deadline in order to be cleared for graduation, request official transcripts or degree verification, and receive your diploma by mail regardless of whether you plan to participate in a Commencement ceremony or not.

Step 3: Resolve any Institutional Holds

Check your DrexelOne account for any institutional holds on your record. If so, please contact the appropriate office or your academic advisor to resolve any institutional holds.

Step 4: Resolve any Financial Holds

Check your DrexelOne account for any financial holds on your record. You will not receive your diploma or be able to request an official transcript with proof of degree until all holds are resolved. Please contact Drexel Central or the appropriate office to resolve any financial holds.

Step 5: RSVP for Commencement

Commencement occurs once per year in June. All graduates from the current academic year (summer through spring, and walkthroughs from the subsequent summer term who are eligible) will receive information about how to RSVP for Commencement in their DrexeOne portal. Students MUST submit an Application for Degree by the posted deadlines in order to receive information about Commencement and be listed in the official program. There are no exceptions.

Students are welcome and encouraged to attend both their individual college or school ceremony and the University-wide Commencement ceremony. Students planning to complete their degree requirements in the subsequent summer term and who wish to participate in June ceremonies must meet the eligibility criteria and follow all instructions outlined in the Walkthrough Information.

Each spring, the Office of Graduate Studies hosts a Doctoral Student Celebration to celebrate and honor our graduating doctoral candidates. Eligible students will receive an email invitation and deadline to RSVP which is separate from the Commencement deadline.

For a list of individual college and school ceremonies and for more information about University-wide Commencement, including dates, times, locations, parking, tickets, regalia, where to report, etc. please visit the Commencement website or email commencement@drexel.edu.

Step 6: Complete the eForms Process

This step is for PhD, professional doctoral degree, and master's thesis option student ONLY. Please review the deadlines listed above and requirements outlined below.

Diploma Information & Academic Records

See Diploma Information.

See also Transcripts and Certifications and Certified Electronic Credential Overview.

For Doctoral Degree Candidates

Registration Requirements

All doctoral students must be registered for at least one credit hour, either research or dissertation, in the quarter in which they plans to defend their thesis or dissertation and be cleared for graduation.

Electronic Forms (eForms) Process

All PhD and professional doctoral degree students and master's thesis option students must follow the eForms process for tracking their program progression and milestones through completion. Please also review the information and deadlines above and on the Theses, Dissertations and Projects page, as well as on the Libraries' website. Students in the College of Medicine and Kline School of Law should consult with their college or school officials.

Please Note: You must be connected to the VPN to access the eForms system.

Access eForms System

For a copy of the Doctoral (D) Forms, which are no longer is use, please visit the Forms page.

Please refer to the Drexel University Thesis Manual [PDF] for information about formatting your thesis or dissertation, which is ultimately approved by your advisor. You should also consult your program officials for any additional requirements.

Submission Instructions

Please review the detailed submission instructions on the Libraries' website.

    Required Doctoral Surveys

    PhD and professional doctoral degree candidates MUST complete and submit the following exit surveys:

    • Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)
    • Drexel Doctoral Exit Survey - The survey link will be sent when you submit an Application for Degree in DrexelOne. You will receive the link around Week 4 of the spring quarter and Week 6 in the fall, winter and summer quarters.