The Graduate College Handbook for Students, Faculty and Staff
Chapter IV: General Graduate Degree Requirements
D. Degree Conferral
Master's degrees are conferred in May, August, October, and December. Doctoral degrees are conferred in May, October, and December. In order to receive a degree, a student must apply to be on the degree list for the appropriate graduation date. Until the tenth day of classes in a given semester, students may use the UI Integrate Self-Service system to apply to be on the degree list. After the tenth day, students should complete an Application for Degree form and submit it to their graduate department office. Deadlines for applying to be on the list for each graduation date are noted on the Thesis Office Deadlines Web page.
A student may not receive a degree with a grade of DFR on their graduate record in any course except thesis research, without an approved petition to request that the grade remain permanently as deferred (DFR).
A student who has fulfilled all of the degree requirements sometime before the next conferral date may need certification for employment or to meet visa requirements. To request a letter of certification, the student should use the Request for Certification of Degree Letter form, or pick up the form at the Graduate College Thesis Office. A student who owes money to the University may not receive a letter of certification.
