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 thesis committee and Graduate Program Director throughout the semester for information and any changes in deadlines.

You must be registered during the semester in which you intend to graduate. For those students completing a thesis, you must be registered for at least 1 credit of 799. The last day to register for Fall 2007 is September 11, 2007 (please not that a late registration fee may apply).

Complete the following steps:

1. As Soon As Possible
2. • File a Graduation Intent through the PatriotWeb system.
3. Update your current mailing address, phone number, and email address at Patriot Web.
4. Insure all “IP” (In Progress) and "IN" (Incomplete) grades are resolved by the end of the semester.

For those students completing theses:

1. By November 2nd: Students completing theses 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.
2. Select a defense date with your committee.
3. To insure proper formatting of the signature page, e-mail or fax a copy of your thesis 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).
4. The due date for thesis submission to Fenwick Library is Friday, December 7th, 2007 by 5:00 p.m. Theses submitted after this date will qualify for graduation in spring 2008 (May 2008 degree conferral).

·         Traditional submission of the thesis

o        Two copies of the entire thesis (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 must be submitted to Sarah Patton in Fenwick Library.

o        Your committee, department chairperson, and the CHSS Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs must sign your thesis before it is submitted to the library.

o        Once you have obtained the signatures of your committee and departmental administrators, bring both copies of the document with all accompanying paperwork (transmittal sheet) to Jamie Cooper in the CHSS Dean's Office (C109 College Hall).

·         Electronic submission of the thesis

o        One copy of the entire thesis (signature sheet through vita) unbound on white 100% cotton bond paper (20 or 24 pound) with original signatures in black ink on the signature sheet must be submitted to Sarah Patton in Fenwick Library.

o        One CD containing a PDF file of the entire thesis and a PDF file containing only the abstract.

o        Your committee, department chairperson, and the CHSS Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs must sign your thesis signature page(s) before your materials are submitted to the library.

o        Once you have obtained the signatures of your committee and departmental administrators, bring all copies of the document with all accompanying paperwork (transmittal sheet, MARS agreement, Electronic Submission Form) to Jamie Cooper in the CHSS Dean's Office (C109 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.