The table below shows a detailed timeline of items that you need to complete in order to obtain a degree and prepare for arrival on campus. Click on the buttons for more information.
You can check the Current Students area of MyMichiganTech for a detailed checklist of items that are required for you at this time, and see a list of items that are complete or pending for each degree you are pursuing. See the Graduate School's online tutorial for help with MyMichiganTech.
When | What | Click for details | Click for an explanation |
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Before you arrive on campus | Arrange for housing (not applicable for online students) |
Look for housing early to ensure the best selection and to obtain housing that meets your needs. |
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Consult with graduate program director and/or advisor for proper course selection |
If you have not already been assigned an advisor, your graduate program director serves as your temporary advisor, and can advise you on courses that will meet your needs and degree requirements. |
Some courses have restricted enrollment, or are only offered in certain years. Consulting early with your graduate program director will ensure you make the most of your education at Michigan Tech. |
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Submit your arrival information on MyMichiganTech to notify International Programs and Services (IPS) of your travel plans (International students only) |
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Submitting your information will help IPS plan for your arrival and provide you information about the transportation and pick up services they offer. |
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Upload your photo for your HuskyCard (optional) |
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If you'd like a favorite picture of you to be on your ID, this will allow you to customize your ID. You are not required to upload a photo. |
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When you arrive on campus | Obtain a HuskyCard |
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Report to International Programs and Services (international students only) |
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All F-1 & J-1 visa students are required to report to IPS so that we can activate your record in the SEVIS system. |
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Complete Basic Responsible Conduct of Research Training |
Attend orientation or complete an online training course |
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Submit official proof of previous degrees earned |
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In order to earn a graduate degree at Michigan Tech, all students must provide proof of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. |
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Submit Patent, research, and proprietary rights agreement form on MyMichiganTech |
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This form defines the rights you and the University have with respect to proprietary work you develop while a student at Michigan Tech. If you do not complete this agreement in the first semester of your enrollment, you will have a hold placed on your account and you will be unable to register for future semesters. |
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Every year | Provide proof of health insurance or pay for University policy (on campus students only) |
Submit the Health insurance comparability waiver form to the Student Health Insurance Office or sign up for a policy on Banweb |
All enrolled graduate students, with the exception of off campus students, must have health insurance. You may select a policy from the University or submit proof of an equivalent policy. More information is available on the Student Health Insurance site. |
Obtain a parking permit for any vehicle you desire to park on MTU property |
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All persons who own and/or use motor vehicles on campus, including any type of motor-driven cycles, must register them online or at the Transportation Services office. |
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Every fall and spring semester until your degree is complete | Register for courses |
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Pay your bill |
See MyMichiganTech for your balance due and links to web payment. |
Your bill must be paid in full by the Wednesday before classes start to avoid late fees. Payment is required by the Wednesday of first week, or the Registrar's Office will drop your course schedule. |
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Confirm your enrollment |
See MyMichiganTech for links to confirm your enrollment. |
Even if you have a zero balance due, all graduate students need to confirm their enrollment by Wednesday of the first week or the Registrar's Office will drop your course schedule. |
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Every summer session you are a supported student, plan to complete your degree, or defend | Register for courses |
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Registration in the summer is only required by the Graduate School if you are a supported student, plan to complete your degree, or defend. |
Pay your bill |
See MyMichiganTech for your balance due and links to web payment. |
Your bill must be paid in full by the Wednesday before classes start to avoid late fees. Payment is required by the Wednesday of first week, or the Registrar's Office will drop your course schedule. |
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Confirm your enrollment |
See MyMichiganTech for links to confirm your enrollment. |
Even if you have a zero balance due, all graduate students need to confirm their enrollment by Wednesday of the first week or the Registrar's Office will drop your course schedule. |
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First semester | Complete Sexual Assault Prevention course |
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All incoming Michigan Tech graduate students are required to complete a Sexual Assault
Prevention course. This online course prepares graduate students for a few of the
unique challenges and responsibilities of graduate student life. It focuses on developing
healthy relationships and addresses some of the unfortunate interconnected issues
of substance abuse and sexual violence. |
Second semester | Select advisor by submitting the Advisor and committee recommendation form |
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An advisor is needed to assist you to progress toward your degree. The Graduate School uses this form to identify which faculty member is working with you. Although the form will ask if you want to appoint a committee, this is not required at this time. You will need a committee established no later than two weeks before your defense. |
Second or third academic semester | Complete Advanced Responsible Conduct of Research Training |
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Semester before planned degree completion OR semester before you want to enter candidacy | Submit Degree schedule to Graduate School |
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The Graduate School will review your courses and ensure that they meet the requirements for your degree. |
Due one week before semester student wishes to enter candidacy | Submit Petition to enter candidacy (optional) |
If you decide to enter candidacy:
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Once you have completed 30 credits and all of your required coursework, you can enter candidacy. This will allow you to pay a reduced tuition rate for research credits. See our web page for more information about this policy. |
Semester of planned degree completion | Submit Commencement application form if you wish to participate in commencement (fall/spring semester only) |
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Submit Degree completion form to Graduate School |
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This form lets the Graduate School know you intend to complete your degree this semester. If you have any missing paperwork, we can let you know at this time. The form will also let us know how you wish to have your name printed on your diploma, your future career plans, and if you intend to participate in commencement. |
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Pick up diploma folder |
If you are not attending the upcoming graduation ceremony, or have not yet participated in a graduation ceremony, the Graduate School will provide a diploma cover to you. |
If you have not already received a diploma folder, or will not be attending a ceremony, we will provide a diploma folder so you will have a safe place to store that important document. When we are able to give this to you, it saves the University the expense of mailing it to you. |
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Pick up Graduate School pin |
Every Graduate School alumni receives a pin as gift from the Graduate School. |
We would like the opportunity to congratulate you on your success and give you this small token of our best wishes to you. When we are able to give this to you, it saves the University the expense of mailing it to you. |
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When you leave campus or complete a degree | Submit the Graduate student workspace cleanout form on MyMichiganTech |
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University policy requires that all faculty, staff, and students clean their workspace prior to leaving campus or completing a degree program. |
Four weeks before your defense | Plan for your defense - Work with your committee to find a date and time that works for everyone then work with your department to schedule a room for your defense |
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You will need this information for the Pre-defense form that will be submitted two weeks prior to your defense. Planning early for your defense will help ensure you are on track to complete your degree. |
Two weeks before your defense | Schedule your defense by submitting the Pre-defense form |
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A public defense is required for all students, and this form will allow us to publicize your defense to the campus community on our web page. |
Submit complete defense draft of your thesis to the Graduate School |
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The Graduate School will review your thesis and give you information about formatting changes that will be required in order to submit an acceptable document. |
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Submit complete defense draft of your thesis to your advisor and committee |
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Your advisor and committee will read your thesis before your final defense, and will use this to formulate questions about your research topic for your defense. At your defense, they may each ask you to make changes or corrections to parts of your thesis. |
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Day of defense | Publicly defend your thesis |
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As a public University, Michigan Tech is required to share the results of our scholarship with the public. The defense will also give your committee the opportunity to examine the depth and breadth of your knowledge about your research topic. |
Bring copy of Report on final oral examination form to defense |
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Your advisor and committee will use this form to report the final results of your defense. |
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Post-defense (see deadlines for upcoming semesters) | Make all required technical corrections from advisor and committee |
Correct your document using the comments provided at or after your defense. |
Your advisor and committee want to ensure that your thesis is technically accurate and well written. |
Make all required formatting corrections from Graduate School |
Correct your document using the comments provided by the Graduate School. These comments are found on Canvas with your pre-defense submission. |
The Graduate School's comments will ensure that your document is accepted by ProQuest, is professional in appearance, and can be printed now or in the future. |
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Submit the Approval of a dissertation, thesis, or report form |
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Within one week of submitting the Approval of a dissertation, thesis, or report form and by the deadline for the semester you wish to complete your degree | Submit thesis to Digital Commons |
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Submit thesis to ProQuest |
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ProQuest is the leading archiver of theses and dissertations, and submission to them will allow 3000 domestic and international research libraries, cultural organizations both domestic and international (museums, national public libraries, historical societies), governmental agencies (e.g. US Supreme Court, state and local governmental agencies, international (European Patent Office) access to your thesis. |
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After approval of thesis by Graduate School | Pay fees (if needed) |
Visit MyMichiganTech for fee payment instructions. The Graduate School will email you when your fees are ready to be paid. |
All fees owed to the Graduate School are required to be paid before we can award your degree. |
Your last semester | Complete Exit Survey |
The Exit Survey is optional and anonymous. The inputs from this survey are very helpful in improving the experience for future graduate students and identifying areas in which we can improve the graduate student educational experience. |
Your feedback helps us to improve our programs and communications with students. |
Within two weeks after the end of the semester | Watch your e-mail or MyMichiganTech for notification that your degree is awarded |
Watch your e-mail or visit MyMichiganTech for confirmation that your degree requirements are complete. |
Degrees can only be awarded after grades are posted for the semester. Once grades are posted for the semester and your degree has been awarded, you can order official transcripts if you need official proof of earning your degree. |
Two months after the end of the semester | Watch your e-mail for notification that your diploma is ready |
Your diploma will be printed two months after the semester you complete your degree requirements. If you are still in the Houghton area, you may pick up your diploma after the Graduate School emails you. If you are not in the Houghton area, you will receive a final e-mail asking for updates to your mailing address that you provided with your Degree completion form |
We want to be sure you receive your diploma in a timely manner. Watching for our notifications will help us deliver it to you promptly. |
One month after Degree is awarded | Check Digital Commons to see your published thesis |
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Check that everything is published as you specified. A permanent link to your submission can be used on your resume or social media sites to publicize your accomplishments. |