Program Handbook
Graduate School and University Events
All essential dates for the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School are found on their website.
All University calendars and schedules are found on the Office of the Registrar's website.
2025-2026 Ed.D. Program Deadlines
The below dates are deadlines for each respective phase; however, earlier submissions are always welcome.
Qualifying Essay
Fall 2025 - September 1, 2025 or November 1, 2025
Spring 2026 - February 1, 2026 or April 1, 2026
Summer 2026 - By appointment only
Proposal
Fall 2025 - November 19, 2025
Spring 2026 - May 11, 2026 (previously April 15th)
Summer 2026 - August 7, 2026 (previously July 23)
Pre-Defense Meeting
Fall 2025 - October 17, 2025
Spring 2026 - March 6, 2026
Summer 2026 - May 29, 2026
*Summer 2026 graduates who would like to participate in the Spring 2026 Recognition Ceremony, must have a successful pre-defense meeting with their full committee by April 10, 2026.
Defense (check Ed.D. Program Calendar below for availability)
Fall 2025 - November 7, 2025
Spring 2026 - March 27, 2026
Summer 2026 - June 19, 2026
Dissertation - Final Draft for Grad School Review
Fall 2025 - November 21, 2025
Spring 2026 - April 10, 2026
Summer 2026 - July 6, 2026
Dissertation - Completed Post-Review Edits to the Graduate School
Fall 2025 - December 11, 2025
Spring 2026 - May 6, 2026
Summer 2026 - July 31, 2026
2026-2027 Ed.D. Program Deadlines
The below dates are deadlines for each respective phase; however, earlier submissions are always welcome.
Qualifying Essay
Fall 2026 - September 1, 2026 or November 1, 2026
Spring 2027 - February 1, 2027 or April 1, 2027
Summer 2027 - By appointment only
Proposal
Fall 2026 - December 14, 2026
Spring 2027 - May 10, 2027
Summer 2027 - August 9, 2027
Pre-Defense Meeting
Fall 2026 - October 8, 2026
Spring 2027 - March 4, 2027
Summer 2027 - May 28, 2027
*Effective in the 2026-2027 academic year, doctoral students are no longer eligible to walk in commencement in advance of their degree conferral, due to a change in the Graduate School policy (see below).
*** Master's and Specialist degree students graduating in August (completing final requirements for their program of study in the summer term and applying to graduate in August), can choose to participate in either the May or December commencement ceremony. Doctoral candidates graduating in August will participate in the Fall commencement ceremony after all requirements are complete. August Master's and Specialist candidates can choose to fully participate in the May commencement ceremony and their name will be read as they cross the stage. In order to have their name listed in the May online commencement program, August graduates need to have applied to graduate by March 31, 2026. August graduates who apply to graduate after March 31 may still participate in May commencement but will have their name included in the December online commencement program. ***
**Defense
Fall 2026 - October 29, 2026
Spring 2027 - March 25, 2027
Summer 2027 - June 18, 2027
**Dissertation - Final Draft for Grad School Review
Fall 2026 - November 12, 2026
Spring 2027 - April 8, 2027
Summer 2027 - July 2, 2027
**Dissertation - Completed Post-Review Edits to the Graduate School
Fall 2026 - December 10, 2026
Spring 2027 - May 6, 2027
Summer 2027 - July 30, 2027
**These dates are estimates, as the Graduate School has not yet published deadlines for the 2026–2027 academic year.