Steps to Student Degree
Advisors, departments, and programs may have additions or modifications to the list. These steps are provided to give you a general guideline of
what to expect and discuss with your department.
STEP 1 ·REGISTRATION
Description:
Students must be registered every fall and spring semester in a credit-bearing course or in continuous
registration (CR). If graduating in summer, registration in a course or CR is required.
Timeline:
Every spring and fall semester (More Information).
STEP 2 ·ADVISOR & COMMITTEE
Description: Select advisor and committee in consultation with your department.
Timeline:
Prior to filling out the GS6 Form, Program of Study.
STEP 3 ·GS6 FORM, PROGRAM OF STUDY
Description:
Timeline:
List of courses, the members of your committee, and other requirements to complete your degree.
Submitted to the Graduate School prior to your fourth regular semester registration.
STEP 4 ·PRELIMINARY EXAM (PH.D. STUDENTS)
Description: An exam to determine whether a Ph.D. student is qualified to continue toward the doctorate.
Timeline:
At least two semesters prior to the Ph.D. student's final examination/defense .
STEP 5 • GS16 FORM, REPORT OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE (PH.D. STUDENTS)
Description:
Timeline:
Members of a Ph.D. student's committee sign this form after the student has completed his/her preliminary
examination.
Submitted to the Graduate School within two working days after the results of the examination are known.
STEP 6 ·REVIEW THESIS/DISSERTATION FORMATTING GUIDELINES
Description: If a thesis or dissertation is required for your degree, see the Thesis/Dissertation page for more information.
Timeline:
Prior to beginning work on your Thesis/Dissertation.
STEP 7 • GS25 FORM, APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION
Description: Lists the term that you plan on completing your graduation requirements, the name that you want printed on
your diploma, any course changes that may need to be made to your GS6 Form, Program of Study, any
discrepancy grades that need to be addressed, and any departmental requirements that need to be satisfied.
Timeline:
Submitted to the Graduate School by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree
requirements.
STEP 8 • GS9A F O R M , PETITION FOR COMMITTEE MEMBER CHANGES (if necessary)
Description:
Timeline:
STEP 9 ·
Lists any changes that have been made to your committee since your GS6 Form, Program of Study was
approved by the Graduate School.
As changes occur, but after your GS6 Form, Program of Study has been approved by the Graduate School, and
prior to your preliminary (Ph.D. students) or final examinations .
FINAL EXAMINATION/DEFENSE
Description:
Members of a student's committee sign this form after the student has completed his/her final
examination/defense.
Timeline
Completed by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree requirements.
STEP 10 ·GS24 FORM, REPORT OF FINAL EXAMINATION RESULTS
Description: Members of your committee sign this form after you have completed your final examination/defense presentation.
Timeline:
Submitted to the Graduate School within two working days after the results of the examination are known, and
by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree requirements.
STEP 11 • GS30 FORM, THESIS/DISSERTATION SUBMISSION
Description:
If a thesis or dissertation is required for your degree, members of your committee sign this form when your
Thesis/Dissertation is approved and ready for electronic submission.
Timeline:
Submitted to the Graduate School by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree
requirements.
STEP 12 • GS31 FORM, ETD EMBARGO RESTRICTION REQUEST (optional)
Description:
Request to delay public release of the thesis or dissertation in the event that the thesis/dissertation contains
material to be protected by patent or copyright.
Timeline:
Submitted with the GS30 to the Graduate School by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to
complete your degree requirements.
STEP 13 ·SUBMIT FINAL THESIS OR DISSERTATION ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH PROQUEST/ UMI
Description: If a thesis or dissertation is required for your degree, see the Thesis/Dissertation page for more information.
Timeline:
Submit electronically to PROQUEST/ UMI by the deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete
your degree requirements. Note that you may have corrections, so it is recommended that you submit your
T hesis/Dissertation prior to the final deadline date.
STEP 14 - COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Description:
Timeline:
Recognizes all of the graduate students who are completing their degree requirements.
Refer to Commencement C e r e m o n y .
STEP 15 • RECEIVE DIPLOMA FROM THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE
Description:
Timeline:
Refer to Registrar's Office.
The Registrar's Office mails your diploma to you approximately six - eight weeks after the last day of classes of
the semester that you completed your degree requirements.
http://graduateschool.colostate.edU/current-students/steps-to-your-degree.aspx
10/28/2015