Thesis and Dissertation Deadlines

December 2025 Graduation

August 25, 2025: Classes begin

September 15, 2025: Last day to submit Application for Graduation for fall 2025 in MyNIU

October 10, 2025: Last day for fall 2025 graduates to submit a Request for Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

October 31, 2025: Last possible day for fall 2025 graduates to hold an Oral Defense

November 7, 2025: Last day for fall 2025 graduates to submit Results of Oral Defense form

November 7, 2025: Last day for fall 2025 graduates to submit post-defense version of thesis or dissertation

November 15, 2025: Last day for departments to submit Certificate of Graduate Study forms

December 5, 2025: Last day for departments to submit Comprehensive Exam Report forms

December 6, 2025: Classes end

December 8-13, 2025: Final examinations

December 13, 2025: Fall graduate commencement ceremony

May 2026 Graduation

January 12, 2026: Classes begin

February 14, 2026: Last day to submit Application for Graduation in MyNIU for spring 2026

March 6, 2026: Last day for spring 2026 graduates to submit Request for Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

March 27, 2026: Last possible day for spring 2026 graduates to hold an Oral Defense

April 3, 2026: Last day for spring 2026 graduates to submit Results of Oral Defense form

April 3, 2026: Last day for spring 2026 graduates to submit post-defense version of thesis or dissertation

April 15, 2026: Last day for departments to submit Certificate of Graduate Study completion forms

April 30, 2026: Classes end

May 1, 2026: Last day for departments to submit Comprehensive Exam Report forms

May 2, 4-8, 2026: Final examinations

May 8, 2026: Spring 2026 graduate commencement ceremony

August 2026 Graduation

There is no August commencement. August graduates are invited to the December commencement.

June 5, 2026: Last day to submit the Application for Graduation in MyNIU

June 5, 2026: Last day to submit a Request for Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

June 26, 2026: Last day to hold an Oral Defense

July 6, 2026: Last day to submit a Results of Oral Defense form

July 6, 2026: Last day to submit the post-defense version of a Thesis or Dissertation

Contact Us

The Graduate School
Williston Hall 100

815-753-0395
gradsch@niu.edu

Northern Illinois University
1425 West Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115

Directions and Maps

Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.