Graduation
PhD Degree
Students should consult the Graduation Checklist for detailed instructions on preparing for the dissertation defense and applying for graduation.
Before Dissertation Defense |
|
Day of Dissertation Defense |
*Note: dissertation committee members and readers should not wait until revisions are completed to sign these forms. |
After Dissertation Defense |
Graduate Division email grad-degree@provost.upenn.edu
|
Other requirements |
|
Graduation Ceremonies
The School of Nursing recognizes three graduation times: December, May and August. There is only one graduation ceremony , in May. Students who graduated in August or December of the previous calendar year are invited back to participate in the May ceremony.
Students who will complete the requirements for their degree in time for the upcoming August degree cycle may also march in the May ceremony, provided that they meet the conditions outlined below. Students who expect to complete the degree in August who wish to participate in the May ceremony must notify the Office of Student Services by April 1st, and must meet all of the following conditions:
- Must have completed all degree requirements with the exception of the final dissertation defense.
- Must have set a confirmed defense date that meets the deadlines for the August degree.
- Must have the support of their Dissertation Chair that an August degree is feasible (in most cases, this should be defined as having a draft of the full dissertation by the April 1st date).
The student should notify the Office of Student Services of their intention to participate in the May ceremony by April 1. This notification should be sent as an email to the Director of Advising and Student Affairs, with a copy to the Dissertation Chair and the Graduate Group Chair, and must include the exact defense date. The Dissertation Chair must also confirm that the student has met the conditions listed above.
Degree dates can be found in the Calendar for Degree Candidates .
PhD Hooding
Graduates are responsible for either renting or purchasing their own academic regalia. More information will be distributed via email each year.
Students wear their full regalia to the University Commencement but are officially hooded by their Chair, the Chair’s designee, or the Graduate Group in Nursing Chair at the School of Nursing ceremony.