Master’s & Certificate Completion Checklist

 

Master’s Thesis 

Getting Started:

Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should: 

  • Contact your departmental advisor
  • Register for classes*
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Begin selecting your advisory committee 

Making Progress:  

  • Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor
  • Work towards completion of required courses for your program
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires)
  • Make progress on the Master’s thesis (see timeline graphic) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate): 

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate): 

 

Master’s Non-Thesis / Education Specialist (EdS) 

Getting Started:  

Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should: 

  • Contact your departmental advisor
  • Register for classes*
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Begin selecting your advisory committee 

Making Progress:  

  • Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor
  • Work towards completion of required courses for your program
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires it) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate): 

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate): 

 

Graduate Certificate 

Getting Started: 


Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should: 

Making Progress:  

  • Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor
  • Work towards completion of required courses for your certificate
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate): 

  • Register for classes*
  • Schedule a graduation check with your departmental advisor (recommended)
  • Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines
  • Submit the Graduation Application through AU Access > My Academics > Grad Application (required of all students)
  • See the certificate FAQ page if you have any issues with submitting the Graduation Application for the certificate program. 

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate): 

  

* Students must be enrolled/registered for a minimum of one credit hour per semester (fall and spring; summer optional unless program requires). All students must be registered in the term in which they graduate. Students using or deferring federal financial aid or F-1 student visa holders may have different credit hour requirements. Please contact the Financial Aid Office or Office of International Programs if one of the above applies to you. 

 

** Students must be registered for two out of three semesters in an academic year, per the Continuous Enrollment Policy. Students must be registered for a minimum of one credit hour in the term in which they graduate.  

Last modified: August 21, 2023