Degree Completion

Step One: Check that you meet all LGS qualification requirements

Step Two: Apply for a degree through LGS

Step Three: Know your Program’s process and meet your Program’s requirements for dissertation and defense

Students are responsible for knowing their Program’s processes and requirements as they relate to completing their dissertation and scheduling and holding their defense. Students should review the information in their Program’s handbook around these two topics and speak with their DGS and PA for any program-related questions and confirmation of the process and requirements.

Step Four: Submit Degree Completion Forms

Following their defense and before the degree completion deadline or the personalized extension date, students need to complete and submit the following documents:

1. The Distribution Agreement and Approval Page - for your committee to affirm that they approve your thesis or dissertation. (When the form has been signed by all, save it as a pdf. You will need a completed approval page for degree completion documentation in the Laney Connect Hub.)
2. Certificates of completion for the PhD Graduate Education Exit Survey and the Survey of Earned Doctorates. (After you complete the Exit Survey, there will be a link to the SED Survey. Certificates are available at the end of each survey; save them as pdf files or screen shots to attach to your Laney Connect form.)

Step Five: Finish uploading all required documents to LGS

Finally, once the student has satisfied their Program’s requirements, students will upload all final documents to the LGS. Please visit the LGS Degree Completion website for more information about what documents must be uploaded to the LGS.

Step Six: Celebrate!

Congratulations on a job well done! Once all documents have been submitted to LGS, the student should receive an auto-email noting that their documents have been received and are being reviewed by the LGS staff and Dean.