Submission Instructions: Application for Master’s Degree without 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

*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 three required documents must be submitted together in a single email to sgs.degree.submissions@grad.rutgers.edu by the posted degree deadline. All files must be in PDF format and attached in one email. 

1. Unofficial Transcript
2. Diploma Application Confirmation Page
3. Application for Masters without Thesis

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; Research credits cannot be counted towards degree requirements. Research is listed as 700 level on transcripts.

                 1. Review the program's credit requirements which may have a higher 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) cannot count towards degree requirements.

                2. Any incomplete credits must be resolved.

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.

3. Complete the Application for the Master's without Thesis form

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

       b. 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. 

A note on signatures: 

 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