PhD Students

Required steps for the semester in which you expect to complete degree requirements:

1. You must be enrolled for graduate credit. Dissertators must follow the Continuous Enrollment requirement.
2. Apply for graduation in PAWS by the posted deadline for the semester in which you intend to graduate.
   The graduation application is required for us to process your defense warrant, degree completion and order your diploma; it is not for the graduation (commencement) ceremony.
   Degrees are conferred in May (Spring), August (Summer) or December (Fall). All requirements must be completed by the last day of the term to be eligible to graduate in that term.
   Applications do not carry forward; you must re-apply if you did not graduate in the semester you anticipated.

   You may be eligible to graduate in the next semester without enrolling, if you complete all requirements by the Window deadlines. Contact gs-doctoralservices@uwm.edu to determine eligibility or if you plan to use this deadline.

   The Bursar’s Office bills the $40 graduation application fee during the term you expect to receive your degree. The billing cycle runs monthly in your term of graduation. The charge will appear in the next monthly cycle of your graduation term.

3. Follow the formatting review, defense, and dissertation submission deadlines. Use the Thesis and Dissertation Formatting as a tool. Attend the Formatting Workshops (optional) held each Fall and Spring semester. Email gs-doctoralservices@uwm.edu for a format check of your dissertation draft.
4. Submit your final dissertation by the posted submission deadline. Submission to the Graduate School must include:
   • An electronic submission of the thesis to ProQuest. To submit your thesis, and for more information on the submission process, visit the UWM ETD Webpage.
   • Thesis & Dissertation Approval and Publishing Options Form (PDF) with an original signature from you and your major professor. Submit completed form to Mitchell Hall 261 by 4pm on the day of the submission deadline.
   • Complete the online Survey of Earned Doctorates.

Professional Doctorate Students (DNP, DPT)

Required steps for the semester in which you expect to complete degree requirements:

1. You must be enrolled for graduate credit.
2. Apply for graduation in PAWS by the posted deadline for the semester in which you intend to graduate. The graduation application is required for us to process your degree completion and order your diploma; it is not for the graduation (commencement) ceremony. Degrees are conferred in May (Spring), August (Summer) or December (Fall). All requirements must be completed by the last day of the term to be eligible to graduate in that term.
   Applications do not carry forward; you must re-apply if you did not graduate in the semester you anticipated.

   You may be eligible to graduate in the next semester without enrolling, if you complete all requirements by the Window deadlines.Contact gs-doctoralservices@uwm.edu to determine eligibility or if you plan to use this deadline.

   The Bursar’s Office bills the $40 graduation application fee during the term you expect to receive your degree. The billing cycle runs monthly in your term of graduation. The charge will appear in the next monthly cycle of your graduation term.

Commencement Ceremony

Visit the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony page.

Diploma

Visit the Graduate School Diplomas page.

Holds

If you have a hold on your record, you must clear it before your transcript and diploma will be released. Once your hold is removed, you must contact GS-GraduationProcessing@uwm.edu, or call (414) 229-6569 to arrange mailing or pick-up of your diploma.