Graduate School Registration Instructions
New Students
If you are registering for the first time in The Graduate School, contact your department to make an appointment to see your adviser.
Active Students
You must hold active status (i.e., you must have registered in The Graduate School for the previous term, excluding summer) to be eligible to register. Graduate School students must register every fall and spring term to maintain active student status. For current and detailed information about maintaining active status, refer to The Graduate School's registration website.
If there is a hold on your record, you may not be allowed to register. Notice of any hold, including the department or office where it may be cleared, is available from One Stop Student Services (612-624-1111) or here.
Inactive Students
You must hold active status to be eligible to register (i.e., you must have registered in The Graduate School for the previous term, excluding summer). Graduate School students must register every fall and spring term to maintain active student status. Students who do not maintain active status through fall and spring term registrations are considered to have withdrawn, and must seek readmission--and if readmitted, must register--in order to resume work towards degrees, take examinations, file for graduation, or otherwise participate as Graduate School students. For more information about maintaining active status, refer to The Graduate School's registration website.
Thesis Credits
All students are required to register for thesis credits before receiving a Plan A master's or a professional master of engineering degree (at least 10 credits of 8777 are required), or a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree (at least 24 credits of 8888 are required). D.M.A. students should consult their department or The Graduate School to determine their requirement. Doctoral students may not register for thesis credits until the term after they have passed their preliminary oral examinations. If you are taking your preliminary oral within the first two weeks of the term, contact The Graduate School for registration instructions. You must register for all thesis credits under your major field course designator.
If you have any questions about registering for thesis credits, contact your director of graduate studies or The Graduate School, 316 Johnston Hall (612-625-3490).
Graduation
Graduate School degrees are awarded monthly. To graduate at the end of any given month you must:
- submit your Graduate School Application for Degree form to 200 Fraser Hall, 130 West Bank Skyway, or 130 Coffey Hall on or before the first workday of the month.
- complete all other requirements by the last workday of the month.
Graduating before the end of the term may affect your eligibility for student loans, housing, etc. Check with the appropriate office if you have questions on eligibility.
Graduate School students request the Application for Degree form and detailed graduation instructions from 316 Johnston Hall.
Graduate School commencement ceremonies are held near the end of each fall and spring semester. If you wish to attend, you must submit a completed Commencement Attendance Approval Form (signed by your adviser and director of graduate studies) to 316 Johnston Hall by the deadline posted on the Graduate School's commencement information page.
If you have questions about registration, graduation, or the commencement ceremony, contact The Graduate School at 612-625-3490 or visit the Graduate School website.
