Completing Your Degree

Congratulations! You're so close to the end! Below are the final steps to completing your degree. 

Exit Seminar

MCIP students are required to present an Exit Seminar. The Exit Seminar is a formal public presentation of the student’s research before the program faculty and students. The Dissertation Committee will not sign the Dissertation until after the exit seminar has taken place.

Students should work with their dissertation committee to determine a date and time for the seminar. It is up to the student to reserve a location for the seminar. There are also rooms available in Green Hall, Walker Hall, Tupper Hall, and Genome CenterRemote and hybrid seminars are allowed. Because faculty and room schedules fill quickly, it is recommended that students schedule their exit seminars at least two months prior to their intended seminar date.

One month prior to the seminar, the student should email details to the graduate program coordinator for advertisement. A flyer template is available. 

Filing Your Dissertation

Filing deadlines vary each quarter, so check dates carefully. 

Graduate Studies oversees the filing process. Their website explains the process in great detail. Additionally, Graduate Studies offers quarterly Filing Workshops and individual appointments to help students understand the process. 

The Graduate Studies Academic Services unit will email you a PDF degree conferral letter after they have received your final documents, accepted your thesis or dissertation in ProQuest ETD, and have filed you to graduate. The conferral letter, signed by the Dean of Graduate Studies, confirms you have completed all graduation requirements and will be awarded your master's or doctoral degree on the conferral date.

Do you need a little more time to complete final edits after the filing deadline? Filing fee may be an option for you. Contact your graduate program coordinator for assistance.