Thesis and Dissertation Deadlines

August 2026 Graduation

There is no August commencement. August graduates are invited to the December commencement.

June 5, 2026: Last day to submit the Application for Graduation in MyNIU

June 5, 2026: Last day to submit a Request for Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

June 26, 2026: Last day to hold an Oral Defense

July 6, 2026: Last day to submit a Results of Oral Defense form

July 6, 2026: Last day to submit the post-defense version of a Thesis or Dissertation

December 2026 Graduation

September 15, 2026: Last day to submit Application for Graduation in MyNIU

October 9, 2026: Last day to submit a Request for Oral Defense of Thesis or Dissertation

October 30, 2026: Last day to hold an Oral Defense

November 6, 2026: Last day for committees to submit Results of Oral Defense form

November 6, 2026: Last day for students to upload post-defense thesis or dissertation

May 2027 Graduation

February 15, 2027: Last day to submit Application for Graduation in MyNIU

March 5, 2027: Oral Defense Requests due to the Graduate School for processing

March 26, 2027: Last day to hold an Oral Defense

April 2, 2027: Defense Results due to the Graduate School for processing

April 2, 2027: Last day to upload post-defense Thesis or Dissertation

Contact Us

The Graduate School
Williston Hall 100

815-753-0395
gradsch@niu.edu

Northern Illinois University
1425 West Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115

Directions and Maps

Office Hours

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed for lunch: noon to 1 p.m.
Mondays and Fridays: virtual office hours, available by appointment only