Master's Degree Steps to Completion

Master's Programs Coordinator

Terri Eastin

Terri Eastin
Office of Graduate Studies

Throughout these steps to degree completion, Terri will be answering your questions and reviewing your materials.

  • Graduation Application

    February 2

    Final Exam Report Form

    April 4

    Thesis

    April 18

    Written Comp Exam

    April 18

    Final Oral Exam

    May 2

    Final Materials/Thesis

    May 3

NOTE: Departments may have earlier deadlines. Please check with your advisor or graduate handbook.

Memorandum of Courses
Deadline: Prior to completion of over one-half of required coursework

Requests to change an approved Memorandum of Courses must be submitted by the student’s major advisor via email to the Master's Programs Coordinator. DO NOT submit a new Memorandum of Courses.

NOTE: changing the Option may or may not be possible.

For full policy, see Master's Degrees in the Graduate Catalog.

Form: Memorandum of Courses
Application for Graduation
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: Complete the Application for Graduation in MyRED. The online Application for Graduation will become available in MyRED the semester following approval of your Memorandum of Courses.
  • When to submit: The Application for Graduation must be completed no later than: date TBD.

NOTE: Failure to complete this step will result in a diploma not being ordered for you and your graduation date will be postponed.

Final Examination Report Form
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: The Final Examination Report form, with the signatures of the major advisor, the department graduate committee chair, and (if applicable) the minor advisor.
  • When to submit: Due at least 4 weeks (3 weeks in the summer) prior to Final Oral Examination. Last date to submit the Application for Final Oral Examination: date TBD

    Last day to hold Final Oral Examination: date TBD

    • If no oral examination is required, the deadline for submitting the Final Examination Report form is date TBD.
    • If only written comprehensive examination is required (major and/or minor), advisor must notify the Master's Programs Coordinator of the results by date TBD.
  • Who to submit to: Master's Programs Coordinator

For full policy, see Master's Degrees in the Graduate Catalog.

Form: Final Examination Report
Thesis Rough Draft Submission
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit:
    • Title page
    • Abstract
    • Full thesis rough draft

    The formatting will be reviewed and students will be notified of any needed changes. No content will be reviewed. Any formatting changes must be made prior to final thesis deposit.

  • When to submit: Submit Rough draft at least 2 weeks (one week in the summer) prior to the Thesis Defense. No later than: date TBD
  • Who to submit to: Master's Programs Coordinator

For full policy, see Master's Degrees in the Graduate Catalog.

Formatting resource: "Preparing a Thesis.

Final Oral Exam/Thesis Defense
Deadline: At least one day prior to the day of deposit
Resolve Incomplete grades
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: Outstanding incomplete/no report grades for Thesis credits need final grades to be entered. The advisor/committee chair of record should use the form found on the Registrar's tutorial page to complete the grade change for outstanding incomplete/no report Thesis credits.

    NOTE: Current semester grading should be completed through the grade reports.

  • When to submit: No later than date TBD
  • Who to submit to: From advisor/instructor to Office of the University Registrar.

For full policy, see Grades and Incompletes in the Graduate Catalog.

Finalize thesis
Deadline: date TBD

Once a student has passed the final oral defense and has made any changes to the thesis as required by the advisor or committee, obtain the signatures of all committee members on the Final Examination Report Form.

Student will be notified when thesis has been approved for upload to UNL Digital Commons. If an embargo needs to be placed on the thesis for patent or security reasons, consult your advisor before uploading.

Upload to UNL Digital Commons
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: Final thesis in PDF format

    Instructions can be found at digitalcommons.unl.edu/gsdissinfo.

  • When to submit: After final formatting approval has been given by Graduate Studies. No later than: date TBD
  • Who to submit to: UNL Digital Commons (submission requires creation of personal account).

NOTE: Changes cannot be made to the thesis once it has been uploaded to UNL Digital Commons.

Confirmation of Upload to Digital Commons
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: Confirmation email from UNL Digital Commons of successful thesis upload.
  • When to submit: No later than: date TBD.
  • Who to submit to: Master's Programs Coordinator

NOTE: Changes cannot be made to the thesis once it has been uploaded to UNL Digital Commons.

Deposit Fees
Deadline: date TBD
  • What to submit: Final thesis deposit fees - $25 thesis processing fee (required)
  • When to submit: No later than: date TBD.
  • Who to submit to: Paid in MyRed (To-do list) by credit or debit card.

NOTE: This payment is not part of your student account. You will receive email confirmation of this payment.