Forms, Policies, and Procedures
One Stop Student Services, Twin Cities is an overall University resource that is available to you to help with registration, financial aid, academic records, billing, financial wellness, and veteran services. There is a number of systems, policies, and procedures you need to be aware of as a graduate. . . let's get started.
Ensure you're familiar with the Graduate Planning & Audit System (GPAS). This system allows graduate and professional students to plan future coursework and view student degree progress. You only need to add coursework that you plan on taking because the audit (advisement report) will already track completed coursework and requirements. If you want to add or remove a graduate minor, you will need to submit a separate form.
Degree completion steps are the requirements you need to complete as part of your degree. Your graduate program may have additional requirements and specific timelines. If your degree program is not listed below, contact your program or visit the program website.
When you apply to graduate you will not be able to choose the month you intend to graduate. Instead, the University assumes when you are prepared to graduate based on the timing of your submitted application. You can determine when you should submit your application for a degree in MyU for your intended graduation month.
Ensure you're aware of what your degree requirements are and if you are fulfilling them. Know when to complete your Application for Degree, and talk to your advisor to help you prepare for the final steps of your academic experience at the University of Minnesota.
You may request to change degree award date if you believe that your degree should have been awarded on an earlier date, if you missed the deadline to apply to graduate, or for another legitimate reason.
Before your thesis or dissertation submission, you must ensure you are adhering to the formatting and submission requirements. You can also request to delay the release of your thesis/dissertation.
You must schedule the preliminary and final doctoral oral examination (final defense) with Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) online as soon as the dates are set, but no later than one week prior to the examinations. Schedule your
Be sure to submit your Graduate Degree Plan (GDP) form to the CLA Office of Research and Graduate Programs with your unofficial transcript and approval from your adviser(s) and DGS (original copies). The GDP must be processed before you can submit your examination committee for approval. Don't delay submitting your GDP, it is recommended that your GDP be submitted three months prior to exams.
To assign or update final examination committees follow the steps as outlined by One Stop. Ensure you're familiar with the committee policy that applies to your program. If needed, you can use external committee members if there is not sufficient expertise among the faculty to examine your work with a very narrow or specific research focus.
As life happens, be sure to be familiar with the special registration categories as you may need them at one time or another during your time at the University of Minnesota.
If you need to interrupt your enrollment for reasons out of your control, you may be able to take a leave of absence with the opportunity to return to the University under the rules and policies in effect when you left and without affecting your time to degree.
If you have any questions regarding any CLA or UMN policies or procedures, connect with your Graduate Program Coordinator, Director of Graduate Studies, your advisor, or the Office of Research and Graduate Programs at clagrad@umn.edu.