George Mason University

The following checklist will help to guide you through the process of completing the requirements for degree conferral. You should refer to the Registrar’s graduation website and maintain contact with your dissertation committee and Graduate Program Director throughout the semester for information and any changes in deadlines.

You must be registered for 999 during the semester in which you deposit your dissertation. The last day to register for Fall 2007 is September 11, 2007 (please note that a late registration fee may apply).

Complete the following steps:

1. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:
   • File a Graduation Intent through the PatriotWeb system.
2. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:
   • Mail, fax or hand deliver a completed Doctoral Application to your department, along with a printed copy of your academic transcript from the PatriotWeb system. Students should be familiar with all graduation policies contained on the Registrar’s graduation website. Questions about graduation procedures can be directed to chssgradstudent@gmu.edu.
3. Update your current mailing address, phone number, and email address at Patriot Web.
4. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: Students completing dissertations are required to schedule a formatting review with Sarah Patton, the GMU Dissertation and Thesis Coordinator, in Fenwick library. She can be reached at 703.993.2222 or spatton@gmu.edu. Formatting guidelines and submission information are available online.
5. Insure all “IP” (In Progress) and "IN" (Incomplete) grades are resolved by the end of the semester.
6. Select a defense date with your committee.
7. At least 15 days prior to your defense date:
   • Provide your department with the necessary information about your defense (your name, department, dissertation title, committee chairperson, date, time, and place of defense).
   • Submit an electronic copy of your abstract to your department.
   • Provide the Johnson Center Library with a complete draft of your dissertation on regular copy paper.
8. To insure proper formatting of the signature page, e-mail or fax a copy of your dissertation signature page to the CHSS Office of Graduate Academic Affairs at chssgradstudent@gmu.edu or 703.993.8714 (fax). That office will review the formatting and inform you of any necessary changes (which should be made prior to your defense and the attainment of any committee member signatures).
9. The due date for dissertation submission to Fenwick Library is Friday, December 7, 2007, by 5:00 p.m. Dissertations submitted after this date will qualify for graduation in spring of 2008 (May 2008 degree conferral).
   • Two copies of the entire dissertation (signature sheet through vita) unbound on white 100% cotton bond paper (20 or 24 pound) with original signatures in black ink on both signature sheets, along with a complete copy of the dissertation on regular copy paper, must be submitted to Robert Vay in Fenwick Library.
   • Your committee, program director, department chairperson, and the CHSS Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs must sign your dissertation before it is submitted to the library.
   • Once you have obtained the signatures of your committee and departmental administrators, bring both copies of the document with all accompanying paperwork to Jamie Cooper in the CHSS Dean's Office (111 College Hall).
   
   *It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all required approvals are obtained by the submission deadline and that required paperwork is included with the dissertation submission. The student is solely responsible for insuring that all necessary materials are submitted to Sarah Patton in the University Library by the submission deadline.

If you are unable to finish your degree requirements in time to graduate in January 2008, you will need to file a new intent to graduate for May 2008 at http://registrar.gmu.edu/gif.

Please contact the CHSS Office of Graduate Academic Affairs at 703.993.8864 or chssgradstudent@gmu.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.