Graduate Offboarding

This site has been created to support students as the look to close out their studies at the U of U. Regardless of whether you're a research student or not, there is valuable information here you should review. If you have pursued a coursework-only degree, simply skip to the information listed below the table.

For research students, there are several additional steps related to the final defense and the clearance from the Thesis Office. The table below compiles this information for you to reference in one location. Please take the time to review the information below, and schedule with the Graduate Advisor for follow-up questions.

		Department	Thesis Office & The Graduate School	International Office
Before the Defense	Required	Three weeks prior, send the thesis/ dissertation to the committee. Send the Manuscript Evaluation link to the committee. Complete the Defense Announcement.	Apply for Graduation through CIS. (Is the late/ reapplication form needed?) If applicable, submit co-author information. If applicable, submit proof of copyright permission.
	Suggested	Prompt committee members to complete manuscript evaluations. Consider one-on-one meetings with committee members. Send plenty of reminders to the committee of the time/ date/ location of the final defense.	Use the Thesis Office templates provided.	Attend a workshop about OPT, presented through UAtlas.
After the Defense	Required	Committee signs off digitally recording the outcome of the defense. This is coordinated by department staff. Complete edits as advised by the committee. Upon completing the edits, email the revised document to the graduate advisor for guidance on next steps.	Submit to the Thesis Office. Diligently check emails following submission. Following Thesis Office approval, upload the document to ProQuest.
	Suggested		If a verification of degree completion is necessary (for interviewing), contact the Graduate Advisor.

Prepare your lab for your graduation and departure.

Ensure that all data and papers can be accessed by the supervising professor.
Refer to this article from UIT about access following degree completion.
Another, somewhat dated article about IT access upon concluding time at the U.
Return keys to the academic department. You'll receive a letter documenting these have been returned and you'll be able to receive money back from Income Accounting.

Graduation Celebrations

University Commencement 2025 will occur on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. MDT
Each college will hold their own convocation ceremony. Learn about the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering Convocation.
Order graduation regalia through the Campus Store.

Diplomas

Questions about diplomas can be answered here.
If you'd like to have a different name listed on your diploma, learn more here.

For Students on Payroll

Following termination from your U of U position, access in Campus Information System (CIS) will change. To account for this, download payroll and tax documents (W2- year end tax documents) while you still have access.
Update mailing address, so that you'll recieve U of U tax documents mailed to your current residence.
International Students it is very important to communicate your program end date to department adminstration (Graduate Advisor- Courtney Phillips and Administrative Manager- Tiffany Hortin). The program end date can be either the final day of exams for the term in which you defend- or the defense date. Please specify the date (mm/dd/yy) that is listed as the I-20 program end date.

Update Contact Information

It is important to keep your mailing address current to receive all official university correspondence/information, such as: refund checks, financial aid information, graduation information, etc.
Domestic students can complete this independently through CIS. International students need to contact ISSS and update contact information through UAtlas.
Diplomas will be mailed to the currently listed mailing address.

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Graduate Student Offboarding

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