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Current Students Milestones for Graduate Students

Graduate College Division of Research

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Current Students - Related Links

  • Accelerated Online
  • Academic Probation and Suspension
  • Appealing a Grade
  • Newly Admitted Students
  • Forms
  • Degree Works
  • Registration Instruction
  • Thesis and Dissertation
    • Survey of Earned Doctorates
    • Schedule an Appointment for Thesis and Dissertation Formatting
    • Thesis & Dissertation Defense
    • Doctoral Writing Specialist
  • Support Services & Workshops
    • Graduate Student Research Showcase
      • Past Events
    • Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)
    • Workshops
    • Campus Services and Resources
  • Travel Award
  • Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
  • Graduation Information
  • Transfer of Graduate Credit
  • Schedule an Appointment with the Grad College Team
  • Milestones for Graduate Students

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Graduate College
Edinburg Campus: Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
Brownsville Campus Sabal Hall 1.202
Email: gradcentral@utrgv.edu
Phone: 1-833-887-4842
Text: 956-446-0116
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Milestones for Graduate Students

Milestones for the Master’s Student

Procedure Time
1. Apply for admission. Submit all program requirements, official transcripts, and an official copy of the appropriate standardized test score if it is required. At least 6 weeks prior to registration (7 to 8 months prior to registration for foreign students).
Note: Some programs have specific deadlines in advance of these suggested time periods.
View the Graduate Programs page for program deadlines.
2. Become familiar with general regulations, campus services, and the degree plan for your program.
Visit the Academic Resources page for more information.
Before registration.
3. Meet with Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to plan a course of study for the first semester. Before first semester registration.
4. Submit degree plan to the Graduate College for approval. Visit with your Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to start this process. Complete within the 1 st semester of your Master’s program.
5. If the thesis route is chosen, submit the  Application for Thesis Committee. Deadlines vary per semester. Review the Thesis & Dissertation page.
6. Apply for graduation. Approximately 9 months prior to commencement. See graduation application deadlines.
7. Check to be sure the degree plan is up to date and all course work is complete. Well before the final comprehensive examination. Follow regular procedures for updates or substitutions with the  Program Director of Academic Program Coordinator.
8. Schedule and complete final comprehensive examination or schedule a final defense of the thesis. Deadlines vary per department. Visit with your Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to start this process.
9. Submit a final defended copy of the thesis. By deadline date.
10. Arrange for cap and gown at University Bookstore. By deadline date for placing order.
Edinburg Campus: (956) 665-2252
Brownsville Campus: (956) 882-8249
Email: utrgv@bkstr.com

Milestones for the Doctoral Student

Procedure Time
1. Apply for admission. Submit all program requirements, official transcripts, and an official copy of the appropriate standardized test score if it is required. Doctoral programs have specific deadlines. View the Graduate Programs page for program deadlines.
2. Become familiar with general regulations, campus services, and the degree plan for your program.
Visit the Academic Resources for more information.
Before registration.
3. Meet with Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to plan a course of study for the first semester. Before first semester registration.
4. Submit degree plan to the Graduate College for approval. Visit with your Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to start this process. Complete within the 1st semester of your doctoral program.
5. Complete coursework detailed on the proposed degree program.
6. Take written/oral qualifying examination. Per departmental requirements. Visit with your Program Director or Academic Program Coordinator to review this process.
7. Submit an application for Dissertation Committee. Review Thesis & Dissertation Manual for further instructions. Well in advance of dissertation proposal presentation. Typically around the 2nd semester of the doctoral program.
8. Submit a proposal for the dissertation with Dissertation Committee. Well in advance of the expected graduation date.
9. Prepare dissertation. Per departmental requirements.
10. Apply for graduation. Approximately 9 months prior to commencement. See graduation application deadlines.
11. Schedule the final defense of the dissertation. Time varies. Schedule with Dissertation Committee.
12. Submit a final defended copy of the dissertation. See deadline date.
13. Arrange for cap and gown at University Bookstore. By deadline date for placing order.
Edinburg Campus: (956) 665-2252
Brownsville Campus: (956) 882-8249
Email: utrgv@bkstr.com
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