Master’s & Certificate Completion Checklist

Getting Started:

Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should:

• Contact your departmental advisor

• Register for classes*

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Begin selecting your advisory committee 

Making Progress: 

• Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor

• Work towards completion of required courses for your program

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires)

• Make progress on the Master’s thesis (see timeline graphic) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate):

• Register for classes*

• Schedule a graduation check with your departmental advisor (recommended)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Make progress on the Master’s thesis (see timeline graphic)

• Submit the Committee, Transfers, Exceptions and Candidacy (CTEC) Form (required of all degree-seeking students)

• Submit the Graduation Application through AU Access > My Academics > Grad Application (required of all students) 

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate):

• Register* (one credit hour minimum)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Clear all holds, incomplete grades, and any financial obligations

• Follow the Master’s thesis timeline (see timeline graphic)

• Use the Thesis and Dissertation Guide

• Submit Master’s Thesis Final Examination Report and ETD Publishing Approval Form

• Submit PDF of Thesis on AUETD

• Order regalia and participate in the commencement & graduation ceremonies (see dates and deadlines)

• Complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) survey

• Join the Auburn University Alumni Association 

Getting Started: 

Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should:

• Contact your departmental advisor

• Register for classes*

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Begin selecting your advisory committee 

Making Progress: 

• Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor

• Work towards completion of required courses for your program

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires it) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate):

• Register for classes*

• Schedule a graduation check with your departmental advisor (recommended)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Submit the Committee, Transfers, Exceptions and Candidacy (CTEC) Form (required of all degree-seeking students)

• Submit the Graduation Application through AU Access > My Academics > Grad Application (required of all students) 

• See the certificate FAQ page if you have any issues with submitting the Graduation Application for the certificate program.

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate):

• Register* (one credit hour minimum)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Clear all holds, incomplete grades, and any financial obligations

• Schedule final oral exam (if program requires this); the non-thesis exam form will be initiated by the Graduate School 

• Order regalia and participate in the commencement & graduation ceremonies (see dates and deadlines)

• Join the Auburn University Alumni Association 

Getting Started: 

Once fully admitted with final, official transcripts and degree confirmation sent to the AU Graduate School, students should:

• Contact your departmental advisor

• Register for classes*  

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines 

Making Progress: 

• Register each semester** with advisement from your major professor

• Work towards completion of required courses for your certificate

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Complete comprehensive exams (if your program requires) 

Nearing Completion (one semester before you graduate):

• Register for classes*

• Schedule a graduation check with your departmental advisor (recommended)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Submit the Graduation Application through AU Access > My Academics > Grad Application (required of all students)

Graduating (the semester you plan to graduate):

• Register* (one credit hour minimum)

• Check the Graduate School calendar for deadlines

• Clear all holds, incomplete grades, and any financial obligations

• Join the Auburn University Alumni Association 

* Students must be enrolled/registered for a minimum of one credit hour per semester (fall and spring; summer optional unless program requires). All students must be registered in the term in which they graduate. Students using or deferring federal financial aid or F-1 student visa holders may have different credit hour requirements. Please contact the Financial Aid Office or Office of International Programs if one of the above applies to you. 

** Students must be registered for two out of three semesters in an academic year, per the Continuous Enrollment Policy. Students must be registered for a minimum of one credit hour in the term in which they graduate.