Apply to Graduate
Apply to Graduate
Who is this for?
Harvard College or Harvard Griffin GSAS students in their final semester
November Degree Candidates
Students who finish degree requirements in the summer or defend dissertations in early September.
Prospective graduates should not participate in Fall registration in April.
Applications Open:
Griffin GSAS - Thursday, March 19, 2026
HCOL - Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Application Deadline:
Monday, August 3, 2026
Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (health coverage will be cancelled). By submitting your dissertation on or before Sept 2nd, we will also reverse your fall term health fees. If you would like to opt out of the Student Health Insurance Plan, please make sure to submit the waiver by July 31st.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 (health coverage continues)
Tuition and fees for the Fall 2026 will be reversed once the dissertation submission deadline has passed and your dissertation has been accepted. You can feel free to ignore any messages about an outstanding balance in the meantime.
Departmental Degree Recommendations Open:
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Departmental Degree Recommendations Due:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. ET
Degree Conferral:
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
February Degree Candidates
Students who finish degree requirements in the fall term.
Prospective graduates should not participate in Spring registration in November.
Applications Open:
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Application Deadline:
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:
Tuesday, January 12, 2027
Departmental Degree Recommendations Open:
Monday, December 7, 2026
Departmental Degree Recommendations Due:
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 by 12:00 p.m. ET
Degree Conferral:
Tuesday, February 9, 2027
May Degree Candidates
Students who finish degree requirements in the spring term.
Prospective graduates should not participate in Fall registration in April.
Applications Open:
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, March 24, 2027
Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:
Wednesday, May 12, 2027
Departmental Degree Recommendations Open:
Tuesday, March 30, 2027
Departmental Degree Recommendations Due:
Tuesday, May 18, 2027 by 12:00 p.m. ET
Degree Conferral:
Thursday, May 27, 2027
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply via my.harvard
- Click here to view steps to submit your application (Harvard Griffin GSAS)
- Click here to view steps to submit your application (HCOL)
- Multiple Degrees: Submit an application for each degree
- Masters in Passing: Add your Masters in Passing in my.Harvard and submit the degree application for your Masters
Step 2: Review/update your diploma name
Click here to learn how to update your diploma name.
Your middle name will only be visible when you add it to your diploma name – it won't be visible elsewhere in my.harvard.
Important: For students graduating in May 2026, April 1, 2026 will be the deadline to make changes to your diploma name. We cannot make changes to your diploma name once the deadline passes.
Step 3: Review your diploma information
Click on the My Program tab in your my.harvard student home.
- Harvard College: Check your Concentration, Secondary, and Language Citations
- Harvard Griffin GSAS: Check the name of your field for your PhD and your Masters
Step 4: Check your application status
You can double-check the status of the application by clicking on the My Program tab in your my.Harvard student home. The status will remain as Application for Graduation Submitted until the degree is conferred.
- We will only contact you if there is a problem with your application.
- If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your application, please reach out to your department.
When to Apply
The time of year you will graduate depends on when you complete your degree requirements.
