PhD Graduation Checklist / Paperwork Flow Chart 

This information sheet lists required paperwork and timing only, from the student’s viewpoint. Non-adherence to the deadlines indicated here can result in a delay in graduation.

 

Note: PhD students (for the reason of continuity and simplicity) are encouraged to work with the same group of individuals as the members of their Comprehensive Exam Committee and Dissertation Committee; as such, the ME Department refers to these two committees as the "Committee-on-Studies."

Date Completed by Student	Requirement	When
	Advisor Assignment Form (Dept)	1st semester (preferably) - Please submit the form to the ME Program Advisement Coordinator.
	Qualifying Exam Area: Engineering Math	2nd semester (at the latest)
	Qualifying Exam Area:	2nd semester (at the latest)
	Qualifying Exam Area:	2nd semester (at the latest)
	Qualifying Exam Area:	2nd semester (at the latest)
	Appointment of Dissertation Committee (OGS)	This form should be filed no later than the first semester of 699 enrollment. If the committee changes, a revised form must be submitted to the OGS along with a written rationale for the change. The OGS may request additional documentation, as appropriate. Important Note: External (non-UNM) committee members (if any) must be approved by the OGS well in advance. Please CLICK HERE for the required form. You must submit the form to the ME Program Advisement Coordinator.
	Advancement to Candidacy (OGS)	The Application for Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree formally summarizes the program of studies you will be fulfilling for your degree. The necessary form may be downloaded from the OGS' website. The OGS strongly recommends that the Application for Candidacy be completed and approved by the Director of ME Graduate Programs  before the student takes the Comprehensive Examination. You should first seek preliminary approval by sending the electronic (filled out) document to the ME Graduate Program Director as en e-mail attachment. All pages must be completed. You will then receive instructions regarding the next step. Your completed Application for Candidacy form is forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) during the semester in which you have passed your comprehensive examination. It should be accompanied by the Comprehensive Exam's  Report of Examination form. The OGS usually processes the Advancement to Candidacy forms within approximately four weeks after receiving them. So, if the student does not receive a confirmation of approval within a reasonable window of time, he/she should contact ME Program Advisement Coordinator to make sure that the form is not lost.
	Announcement of Comprehensive Exam (OGS)	The Comprehensive Exam must be taken within a 1-year period after passing the Qualifying Exam. Three (3) weeks prior to the  Exam, please fill out the appropriate sections of this form (excluding the signatures) electronically and save the file before submitting to the ME Program Advisement Coordinator (as an e-mail attachment) for signature. Both pages must be completed; please type the committee members' names on both pages.
	Report of Comprehensive Exam (OGS)	Submitted to OGS within a 2-week period after the Comprehensive Exam.
	Intent to Graduate (Dept)	Note: every time your graduation plan changes, you must re-file the "Intent to Graduate" form. Failure to submit this form on time will delay your graduation. You must submit the form to the ME Program Advisement Coordinator before the deadlines shown on the form.
	Announcement of Dissertation Defense (Exam) (OGS)	3 weeks prior to Defense; fill out the appropriate sections (excluding the signatures) electronically and save the file before submitting to the ME Program Advisement Coordinator (as an e-mail attachment) for signature. Both pages must be completed; please type the committee member names on both pages.
	Report of Defense (Exam) (OGS)	To OGS within a 2-week period after Defense.

DEFENSE DEADLINES: Complete all degree requirements (including defense) and make all necessary revisions to the manuscript; then, have it accepted by OGS (including Information Cover Sheet and Certificate of Final Form) by the following dates:

Spring Graduation - April 15

Fall Graduation - November 15

PhD degree candidates should refer to the OGS web pages for comprehensive information regarding document submittal.

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Please see the following section of ME Graduate Policy Manual for further information:

| Ph.D. |

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