Submission Instructions: Application for Master’s Degree with Thesis

Degree Deadlines

• October 1, 2025, for an October 2025 dated degree
• January 6, 2026, for a January 2026 dated degree
• April 1, 2026, for a May 2026 dated degree

*We are accepting both new and old forms for the October 2025 degree date. If you have already submitted, please do not submit again.*

*If you are not able to submit all materials by the deadline, you will be considered for the next degree date*

Submission Instructions

To be considered for degree conferral, all six required documents must be submitted together in a single email to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu by the published degree deadline. All files must be in PDF format and attached in one email. Please read the information below for step-by-step directions and links to each submission material.

1. Unofficial Transcript
2. Diploma Application Confirmation Page
3. Degree Candidate Responsibility Statement
4. Publishing Agreement and Thesis Submission
5. Application for Master's With Thesis
6. Signed Title Page

Step 1. Review, download, and save the Unofficial Transcript.

Click here for information on reading RU transcripts. 

         a. Review Cumulative GPA

              i. GPA must meet SGS minimum policy of 3.0

                 1.Review the program’s requirements which may have a higher GPA minimum.

         b. Review Total Degree Credits Earned

              i. SGS requires a minimum of 30 credits; at least 6 credits must be research. Research is listed as 700 level on transcripts.

                 1. Review the program's credit requirements which may have a higher research credit minimum.

             ii. Any transfer credits not listed on a transcript require completion of a  Transfer of Credit form. 

          c. Review Final Grades

             i. There must be a grade for every course taken on the transcript. 

                1. Research (700 level) must be graded with an S or U, contact the program for any discrepancies.

                2. Any incomplete credits must be resolved.

Step 2. Complete the online Diploma Application 

          a. Save the confirmation page as a PDF for the final submission.

          b. This form is used for diploma delivery. The email entered on the form will be used for notifications about the Convocation Ceremony.

Step 3. Complete the online Degree Candidate Responsibility Statement

         a. Save the form as a PDF for final submission.

Step 4. Complete the online ProQuest Publishing Agreement form

         a. Once completed, click on "Manage this ETD"> "View ETD Details"> "Print your Details Page".  Save the “ETD Details” as a PDF for final submission.

            i. SGS embargo policy allows for the option to delay publishing of theses. If a delay in publishing is chosen the allotted time frames allowed for an embargo are 6 months, 1 year or a maximum of 2 years. 

              1. Any other time frame for an embargo is not allowed. Do not choose a different time period or write in “other” for the embargo period.

              2. Extensions to an embargo are permitted. Contact ProQuest before the initial embargo elapses to make an extension request. ProQuest will contact the Dean's office and RU Core. This cannot be completed upfront, only after the initial embargo is processed.

          ii. Fill out the degree date under ETD Details with the month and the year of graduation. The only month options allowed are October, January or May.

       b. Upload the final thesis 

           i. Compliance to the SGS style guide is required for thesis approval.

Step 5. Complete the Application for the Master's with Thesis form

       a. Use the unofficial transcript to fill in the GPA and credits.

       b. Once you have passed the final defense, have all committee members (policy 1.2.5.) sign the form.

           i. Only faculty appointed to the School of Graduate Studies can sign candidacy forms. A minimum of three different faculty members must sign this form. Check membership status by visiting the faculty database. 

Step 6. Committee members must sign the title page after a successful defense

       a. Only send the signed title page to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu. 

       b. Do not send the entire thesis to the SGS degree inbox. Instead upload the final version to ProQuest (step 4).

       c. The uploaded thesis to be published on ProQuest and RU Core must not include committee signatures on the title page. These repositories are public facing and cannot include the committee’s signatures for security purposes.

       d. Example Title Page 

A note on virtual defenses: 

The School of Graduate Studies will permit remote defenses for candidates and their committee members. Any digital signatures of committee members must be verifiable. This includes (but is not limited to) e-signatures such as DocuSign or Adobe sign. Scanned signatures or images of signatures are also acceptable. If you are using Docusign please refer to the Office of Information and Technology's website here for information on how to get started using the service.

In lieu of a verifiable digital signature, a committee member can type their name into the field and then provide a written email/letter attesting their approval as an appendix to this form. Original pen/ink signatures are also accepted should that be an option available.

A note on submission procedures:

1. You must send ALL of your requirements together in one email before the deadline. 
2. You must send your attachments in PDF format.
3. Please do not use zip files or hyperlinks to download submissions.
4. Email only when you have all of the required materials completed. 
5. Please do not send multiple emails with pieces of the checklist to the submissions inbox.
6. Send your complete submission to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu