Graduation and Commencement Checklists

As you work toward your target graduation date, the checklists below will help you fulfill all requirements by their respective deadlines. You must fulfill certain requirements to graduate (earn your degree), and there are additional actions to complete if you wish to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Summer 2025

Masters and doctoral students

AUGUST 19 - deadline to complete all requirements to graduate in the summer

Use a checklist!
You may find it helpful to use a printable checklist (pdf) to keep track of your progress, but it is recommended that you also refer to the web-based checklists below to access additional instructions, forms, and surveys.

Graduation requirements

Complete requirements by deadlines listed below to be a Summer 2025 graduate and receive your graduate degree. It is the student’s responsibility to complete these requirements unless otherwise stated.

Requirement	Deadline
Must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the semester you plan to graduate Enrollment exception: If all requirements listed below are completed by May 6, 2025, you will be a Summer 2025 graduate and will not be required to enroll in the Summer semester. If on a F-1/J-1 visa, check with International Student and Scholars Services for possible enrollment requirements to maintain non-immigrant status.
Submit Program of Study to the Graduate School	After completing 9 hours of graduate credit
Complete KSIS graduation application and update degree/diploma mailing address Helpful tips Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top. The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it. The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application. How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly: Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.	Before submitting Approval to Schedule Final Exam Form
Doctoral students only Complete the Survey of Support for a Successful Dissertation Defense Your responses to this survey will inform the Graduate School about your readiness for your defense and will guide us in providing you support to eliminate any potential obstacles and facilitate a successful defense.	At least one month before dissertation defense
Approval to Schedule Final Examination form - This form, with ALL signatures from the supervisory committee, must be received by the Graduate School at least 10 business days before the scheduled exam. The student submits the form, and then it routes to the committee members for their signature. Therefore, the student needs to submit the form more than 10 business days before the final exam to allow time for the form to route to committee members.
Final exam ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee	August 19
Complete Graduate School Exit Survey	August 19
Update Alumni Association contact information	August 19
Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates (PhD and EdD only)	August 19
The following requirements apply if completing a thesis, dissertation, or report
Review requirements for formatting your ETDR	When you begin writing
Determine with major professor if ETDR should have a delayed publication. If so, follow procedures to embargo ETDR.	Beginning of Summer semester
ETDR ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee	August 19
Submit ETDR in KREx and wait for confirmation your ETDR has been submitted and approved	August 19
Submit ETDR to ProQuest (PhD and EdD students only)	August 19
Complete ETDR Survey	August 19

Commencement ceremony

K-State does not hold commencement ceremonies at the end of the Summer semester. Summer graduates are welcome to participate in a future Fall or Spring commencement ceremony. Information about Fall commencement will be distributed to your KSU email address in the Fall semester.

Regalia
If you do plan to participate in a future commencement ceremony, please be sure to check regalia ordering deadlines for the commencement ceremony you plan to attend. These deadlines are typically updated early to mid-semester in the semester when the ceremony is being held.

Receiving your diploma and final transcript

Below are important dates for receiving your diploma at the correct address and your transcript with Summer semester final grades.

Receiving your diploma	Deadline
Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed.	When completing KSIS graduation application
Digital diploma is sent electronically	After degrees post to student accounts
Diploma is received by mail Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.	Approximately eight weeks after Summer 2025 degrees are posted

Receiving your diploma

Deadline

Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed.

When completing KSIS graduation application

Digital diploma is sent electronically

After degrees post to student accounts

Diploma is received by mail

Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.

Approximately eight weeks after Summer 2025 degrees are posted

Ordering final transcript with Summer grades	Deadline
Check KSIS Student Center for holds; most holds must be cleared to order a transcript	Prior to August 19
Final grade posting finishes for Summer 2025	August 19
Check KSIS Student Center to verify that Summer grades have posted, then order transcripts through “Other Academics” tile in KSIS	August 20
Deadline to order transcripts at no charge for students graduating in Summer 2025 or who will not be enrolled in Fall 2025.	September 26

Certificate students

Receiving your graduate certificate

First step: Admission to the certificate program

To receive a graduate certificate, you must first complete the application for admission and be admitted to the graduate certificate program.

After admission and completion of certificate requirements

In order to ensure prompt posting and digital distribution of graduate certificates, the following actions must be completed in the order listed.

Complete the KSIS graduation application in the semester that you are completing requirements for the graduate certificate.

Helpful tips
- Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top.
- The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it.
- The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application.
How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly:
Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.
Submit the electronic graduate certificate completion form. To be submitted by the student completing the certificate program (or staff proxy) on or before August 19, 2025.

Fall 2025

Masters and doctoral students

NOVEMBER 18 - deadline to complete all requirements to graduate in the fall

Graduation requirements

Complete requirements by deadlines listed below to be a Fall 2025 graduate and receive your graduate degree. It is the student’s responsibility to complete these requirements unless otherwise stated.

Requirement	Deadline
Must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the semester you plan to graduate
Submit Program of Study to the Graduate School	After completing 9 hours of graduate credit
Complete KSIS graduation application and update degree/diploma mailing address Helpful tips Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top. The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it. The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application. How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly: Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.	Before submitting Approval to Schedule Final Exam Form (also see commencement deadlines and diploma information below)
Doctoral students only Complete the Survey of Support for a Successful Dissertation Defense Your responses to this survey will inform the Graduate School about your readiness for your defense and will guide us in providing you support to eliminate any potential obstacles and facilitate a successful defense.	At least 1 month before dissertation defense
Approval to Schedule Final Examination form - This form, with ALL signatures from the supervisory committee, must be received by the Graduate School at least 10 business days before the scheduled exam. The student submits the form, and then it routes to the committee members for their signature. Therefore, the student needs to submit the form more than 10 business days before the final exam to allow time for the form to route to committee members.
Final exam ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee	November 18
Complete Graduate School Exit Survey	November 18
Update Alumni Association contact information	November 18
Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates (PhD and EdD only)	November 18
The following requirements apply if completing a thesis, dissertation, or report
Review requirements for formatting your ETDR	When you begin writing
Determine with major professor if ETDR should have a delayed publication. If so, follow procedures to embargo ETDR.	Beginning of Summer semester
ETDR ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee	November 18
Submit ETDR in KREx and wait for confirmation your ETDR has been submitted and approved	November 18
Submit ETDR to ProQuest (PhD and EdD students only)	November 18
Complete ETDR Survey	November 18

Graduate in Spring without having to enroll in the Spring semester

If you miss the deadlines to graduate in the Fall but you complete all degree requirements by December 9, 2025, you will graduate in Spring 2026 without having to enroll in Spring 2026.

Note: If you are on a F-1/J-1 visa, please check with International Student and Scholars Services for possible enrollment requirements to maintain your non-immigrant status.

Commencement ceremony

Complete requirements by deadlines listed below to participate in the Fall 2024 commencement ceremony. If you do not meet these deadlines or are unable to participate in the ceremony, you may participate in a future ceremony.

Requirement	Deadline
Complete KSIS graduation application for your name to appear in the commencement program booklet If you miss this deadline but fulfill other requirements, you can still participate in commencement, but your name will not appear in the printed commencement program.	October 1
PhD, EdD, and Master of Fine Art graduates ONLY To participate in commencement, all graduation requirements must be complete	November 18
Prepare for commencement Graduate School commencement will be held December 12, 2025 at Bramlage Coliseum. Registration is not required to participate in commencement. However, terminal degree candidates will be requested to provide hooding faculty information (instructions provided in the fall semester). Visit K-State’s Commencement Ceremonies website for information to help you prepare for the ceremony.
Order regalia through K-State Campus Store. All regalia must be purchased. There is not an option to rent.	See Campus Store site for more information

Requirement

Deadline

Complete KSIS graduation application for your name to appear in the commencement program booklet

If you miss this deadline but fulfill other requirements, you can still participate in commencement, but your name will not appear in the printed commencement program.

October 1

PhD, EdD, and Master of Fine Art graduates ONLY

To participate in commencement, all graduation requirements must be complete

November 18

Prepare for commencement
Graduate School commencement will be held December 12, 2025 at Bramlage Coliseum.

Registration is not required to participate in commencement. However, terminal degree candidates will be requested to provide hooding faculty information (instructions provided in the fall semester).

Visit K-State’s Commencement Ceremonies website for information to help you prepare for the ceremony.

Order regalia through K-State Campus Store.

All regalia must be purchased. There is not an option to rent.

See Campus Store site for more information

Receiving your diploma and final transcript

Below are important dates for receiving your diploma at the correct address and your transcript with Fall semester final grades.

Receiving your diploma	Deadline
Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed.	when completing KSIS graduation application
Digital diploma is sent electronically	After degrees post to student accounts
Diploma is received by mail Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.	Approximately eight weeks after Fall 2025 degrees are posted

Receiving your diploma

Deadline

Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed.

when completing KSIS graduation application

Digital diploma is sent electronically

After degrees post to student accounts

Diploma is received by mail

Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.

Approximately eight weeks after Fall 2025 degrees are posted

Ordering final transcript with Fall grades	Deadline
Check KSIS Student Center for holds; most holds must be cleared to order a transcript	Prior to December 16
Final grade posting finishes for Fall 2024	December 16
Check KSIS Student Center to verify that Fall grades have posted, then order transcripts through “Other Academics” tile in KSIS.	December 17
Deadline to order transcripts at no charge for students graduating in Fall 2025 or who will not be enrolled in Spring 2026.	To be determined

Certificate students

Receiving your graduate certificate

First step: Admission to the certificate program

To receive a graduate certificate, you must first complete the application for admission and be admitted to the graduate certificate program.

After admission and completion of certificate requirements

In order to ensure prompt posting and digital distribution of graduate certificates, the following actions must be completed in the order listed.

Complete the KSIS graduation application in the semester that you are completing requirements for the graduate certificate.

Helpful tips
- Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top.
- The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it.
- The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application.
How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly:
Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.
Submit the electronic graduate certificate completion form. To be submitted by the student completing the certificate program (or staff proxy) on or before November 18, 2025.

Spring 2026

High-level deadlines

December 9, 2025
Deadline to complete all requirements to be a Spring 2026 graduate without having to enroll in the Spring 2026 semester. If you are on a F-1/J-1 visa, please check with International Student and Scholars Services for possible enrollment requirements to maintain your non-immigrant status.

APRIL 14, 2026
Deadline to complete all requirements to graduate in the spring. You must enroll in at least 1 credit hour the Spring 2026 semester if requirements are completed between December 10, 2025 and April 14, 2026.

Masters and doctoral students

Graduation requirements

Complete requirements listed below to be a Spring 2026 graduate and to receive your graduate degree. It is the student’s responsibility to complete these requirements unless otherwise stated.

Program of study
Submit your Program of Study to the Graduate School by the time you have complete 9 hours of graduate credit.
Thesis, dissertation, or report submission
When you begin writing - Review requirements for formatting your ETDR Beginning of Spring semester - Determine with major professor if ETDR should have a delayed publication. If so, follow procedures to embargo ETDR.
KSIS graduation application
Complete the KSIS graduation application and update your degree/diploma mailing address before submitting the Approval to Schedule Final Exam Form and by March 3 to have your name in the spring commencement program. Helpful tips Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top. The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it. The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application. How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly: Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.
Survey of Support for a Successful Dissertation Defense
Doctoral students only - at least one month before your dissertation defense Complete the Survey of Support for a Successful Dissertation Defense. Your responses to this survey will inform the Graduate School about your readiness for your defense and will guide us in providing you support to eliminate any potential obstacles and facilitate a successful defense.
Approval to schedule final examination form
The Approval to Schedule Final Examination form with ALL signatures from the supervisory committee, must be received by the Graduate School at least 10 business days before the scheduled exam. The student submits the form, and then it routes to the committee members for their signature. Therefore, the student needs to submit the form more than 10 business days before the final exam to allow time for the form to route to committee members.
April 14 - Deadline for ballots, surveys, and ETDR
Final exam ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee Complete Graduate School Exit Survey Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates (PhD and EdD only) Update Alumni Association contact information If you are completing a thesis, dissertation or report: ETDR ballot returned to Graduate School by supervisory committee Submit ETDR in KREx and wait for confirmation your ETDR has been submitted and approved Submit ETDR to ProQuest (PhD and EdD students only) Complete ETDR Survey

Graduate in Summer without having to enroll in the Summer semester

If you miss the deadlines to graduate in the Spring but you complete all degree requirements by May 5, 2026, you will graduate in Summer 2026 without having to enroll in Summer 2026.

Note: If you are on a F-1/J-1 visa, please check with International Student and Scholars Services for possible enrollment requirements to maintain your non-immigrant status.

Commencement ceremony

Complete requirements listed below to participate in the Spring 2026 commencement ceremony. If you are unable to participate in the ceremony, you may participate in a future ceremony.

Name in commencement program
Complete KSIS graduation application by March 3 for your name to appear in the commencement program. If you miss this deadline but fulfill other requirements, you can still participate in commencement.
PhD, EdD, and Master of Fine Art graduates ONLY
PhD, EdD, and Master of Fine Art graduates must complete all graduation requirements by April 15 to participate in commencement.
Order regalia
Order regalia through K-State Campus Store. All regalia must be purchased. There is not an option to rent.
Prepare for commencement - May 15
Graduate School commencement will be held May 15, 2026 at Bramlage Coliseum. Visit K-State’s Commencement Ceremonies website for information to help you prepare for the ceremony.

Receiving your diploma and final transcript

Receiving your diploma
Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed when completing the KSIS graduation application. Digital diploma is sent electronically after degrees post to student accounts after semester concludes. Diploma is received by mail approximately eight weeks after degrees are posted. Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.

Receiving your diploma

Update KSIS degree/diploma mailing address to the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed when completing the KSIS graduation application.
Digital diploma is sent electronically after degrees post to student accounts after semester concludes.
Diploma is received by mail approximately eight weeks after degrees are posted.

Visit the Registrar's Office site for more information about diplomas.

Ordering final transcript with Spring grades
Prior to May 19 - Check KSIS Student Center for holds; most holds must be cleared to order a transcript May 19 - Final grade posting finishes for Spring 2026 May 20 - Check KSIS Student Center to verify that Spring grades have posted, then order transcripts through “Other Academics” tile in KSIS. June 26 - Deadline to order transcripts at no charge for students graduating in Spring 2026 or who will not be enrolled in Fall 2026

Ordering final transcript with Spring grades

Prior to May 19 - Check KSIS Student Center for holds; most holds must be cleared to order a transcript
May 19 - Final grade posting finishes for Spring 2026
May 20 - Check KSIS Student Center to verify that Spring grades have posted, then order transcripts through “Other Academics” tile in KSIS.
June 26 - Deadline to order transcripts at no charge for students graduating in Spring 2026 or who will not be enrolled in Fall 2026

Certificate students

Receiving your graduate certificate

Step 1: Admission to the certificate program

To receive a graduate certificate, you must first complete the application for admission and be admitted to the graduate certificate program.

Step 2: Complete program curriculum and requirements

Work with the certificate program director to make a plan for courses to complete each semester and to ensure you understand expectations of the program.

Step 3: File completion forms in your final semester

Complete the following in the order listed to ensure prompt posting and digital distribution of your graduate certificate.

Complete the KSIS graduation application in the semester that you are completing requirements for the graduate certificate.

Helpful tips
- Please be sure to click "accept" at the end of each page before clicking "next" at the top.
- The "accept" button can seem hidden depending on your screen size (particularly on step 4 of the grad app). You may have to scroll down to see/access it.
- The Graduation Application will allow you to continue through the app, even if the "accept" button has not been clicked at the bottom of the page. Clicking this "accept" button is crucial to the submission of the application.
How to confirm your KSIS graduation application was submitted correctly
Go back into your application for graduation. Under the Academic Plans, look for the "Current App Status/Status." See the FAQs section at the bottom of this page on the Registrar's website.
Submit the electronic graduate certificate completion form. To be submitted by the student completing the certificate program (or staff proxy) on or before April 14, 2026.