GRADUATE STUDIES - COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

DEADLINES FOR FILING A FORMAL APPLICATION:
Graduation	Application Deadline	Thesis, Essay, or Project Deadline	Comps Deadline
Summer 2008 Aug. 31, 2008	Feb. 15, 2008	July 28, 2008	Aug. 4, 2008
Winter 2008 January 15, 2009	July 14, 2008	Nov. 17, 2008	Nov. 24, 2008
Spring 2009 May 17, 2009	Nov. 24, 2008	April 6, 2009	April 13, 2009
Summer 2009 August 31, 2009	Feb. 13, 2009	July 27, 2009	Aug. 3, 2009
Winter 2009 January 15, 2009	July 13, 2009	Nov. 16, 2009	Nov. 23, 2009
Spring 2010 May 23, 2009	Nov. 23, 2009	April 12, 2010	April 19, 2010
Summer 2010 Aug. 31, 2009	Feb. 15, 2010	July 26, 2010	Aug. 2, 2010

Some graduate programs require a thesis, essay, or creative project. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors on the formatting of their papers and should contact the Office of Graduate Studies with questions not covered by the appropriate style manual or the following instructions. Please be sure to allow adequate time to meet the required submission deadlines.

The Plan A thesis must show capacity for original research. The thesis may bring new facts to light; may organize and critically evaluate available information; or may evaluate critically a technique, method, or trend. In general, the thesis is a demonstration of research ability whose content shows originality, analytical skills, clarity of critical thought, and power of mature expression.

The Plan B essay is designed to show the student’s power of analysis, organization, and expression. Clarity of thought and power of mature expression are expected as in the thesis.

The Plan B creative project is designed to show the student’s ability to plan, develop, and carry out a project of significance. Application of theoretical principles and clarity of expression are expected in the project.

Deadlines: The dates for filing outlines or initial draft copies are set by the student's advisor. The student should be notified of these well in advance. The date for the two final, completed documents is specified in the University calendar. Please note: On the date specified for filing the final copies of the thesis, essay or creative project, one original and one copy, revised, accepted and signed, must be in the Office of Graduate Studies by 5:00 p.m.

Copies of thesis, essay, and creative project regulations are available in the Office of Graduate Studies, in department offices, or from the link below.

It is the student’s responsibility to file an application for the degree at the appropriate time. For spring graduation, the deadline is the fourth Monday of November. For summer graduation, the deadline is February 15. For degrees awarded in winter, the deadline is the second Monday of July. An additional fee of $25.00 is assessed for late applications. Late applications may be accepted until the deadline of the next graduation; however only those applications filed by the dates given can be guaranteed processing in time for the next conferral of degrees.

John Carroll University conducts a formal commencement ceremony each year in May. Graduate students who will complete degree requirements in the summer and who wish to participate in the May commencement exercise should apply for graduation by February 15. In order to qualify for participation: (a) students not writing an essay, project, or thesis must have no more than nine remaining hours in order to complete their degree program; (b) students who have not completed the essay or thesis (but who have completed all course requirements) must submit a petition signed by their academic advisor stating that the thesis or essay will be completed by the deadline established by the Graduate Studies office for summer graduation.