Doctoral Degree Completion Checklist
Rocket, preparing to graduate with a doctoral degree?
This degree checklist is a great resource to review the items that we at The College of Graduate Studies (COGS) look for when performing your degree audit. However, it is important to consult with your advisor to ensure you meet any departmental requirements that may exist in addition to COGS requirements.
Use the side menu to explore this checklist!
1. Apply for Graduation
You must apply to graduate in your MyUT Portal for the term you plan to complete your degree.
How to Apply to Graduate
1. Log into your MyUT Portal and navigate to your Student tab.
2. Under My Records, select Apply to Graduate.
3. From there, you'll complete an online application in which you'll input information such as your last term of registration, your academic program you wish to apply to graduate from, and your diploma mailing address.
How to Check if You Applied to Graduate
1. Log into your MyUT Portal and navigate to your Student tab.
2. Select Student Profile under My Registration Steps.
3. On the left hand menu, select View Application to Graduate. You will be able to view any graduation applications you have on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
I think I'm going to graduate this semester, but I might need to delay my graduation. Should I still apply?
Yes! Still go ahead and submit your graduation application. You can always request for the application to be removed if you are certain you will need to delay graduation by a semester.
I have to delay my graduation. What do I do?
If you have connected with your advsior and confirmed you are not graduating this semester and must rescind your graduation application, you can email graduation@utoledo.edu to request for your application to be removed. Note: It is important that you only do this if you are certain you will not graduate; this cannot be undone.
When do I apply to graduate?
Apply to graduate as soon as possible! Apply by the posted deadline to ensure you receive all graduation & commencement communications.
2. Register for at least one graduate-level credit hour for the term you plan to graduate.
You must be registered for at least one graduate-level credit hour during the term you plan to graduate.
When do I register?
Be sure to register before the start of the term to avoid late registration fees!
3. Ensure previous transcript(s) showing your earned degree(s) are on file with our office.
We will need to have final, official transcripts for your previous degree(s) on file. If you have only attended UToledo, we will have this on file already.
How to submit official transcripts:
Electronically (Recommended)
You can have your previous institution(s) submit your transcript(s) to UToledo using the email GraduateOnlineApplication@utoledo.edu.
Your previous institution(s) can also mail your transcript(s) to:
The University of Toledo
College of Graduate Studies
2801 W. Bancroft, MS 933
Toledo, OH 43606
When do I submit my transcripts?
Typically these are required within the first semester of your graduate studies. You must have your final, official transcripts on file with us as soon as possible.
4. Connect with your advisor to determine whether you will need to submit a paper Plan of Study or if you have an online Degree Audit Report (DAR). All grades of "C" or higher.
Depending on your program, you may be required to submit a Plan of Study. Check in with your advisor to determine whether you will need to do this.
Your department may have additional grading requirements and we always recommend connecting with your your advisor to ensure you meet any additional departmental requirements.
When do I submit my Plan of Study?
We ask that you submit your Plan of Study by the end of your second semester, but we know this isn't always possible. If not, please ensure this reaches us as soon as possible.
5. If you are completing research for a field experience, scholarly project, thesis, or dissertation: submit a completed Graduate Research Advisory Committee Approval & Assurances form.
This is also known as the GRAD form! Be sure to completed and submit this to us at GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu.
When do I submit my GRAD form?
This form needs to be submitted prior to beginning your research. If you haven't submitted this yet, don't worry! Just submit this as soon as possible.
6. Additional requirements for students completing dissertations & scholarly projects:
If completing a dissertation:
1. Schedule your defense
When? Schedule your defense as early in the semester as possible with time to make any needed changes and submit to OhioLINK.
2. Submit the Defense Acceptance & Intellectual Protection form
Submit your DAIP form upon scheduling your defense to GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu.
3. Submit your dissertation for format review
Strongly recommended: Submit a PDF of your dissertation to ETDSvcs@utoledo.edu for a format review by the posted format review deadline.
4. Upload your final dissertation document PDF to OhioLINK
You must submit a PDF of your dissertation to OhioLINK by the final day of the semester at 11:59 p.m.
Log In to or Register for OhioLINK Here
5. Submit your Approval of Dissertation form
Submit your Approval of Dissertation form to GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu to graduate.
If completing a scholarly project:
Submit your Approval of Project form
Submit your Approval of Project form to GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu to graduate.
OhioLINK Submission Deadline
The deadline to submit your dissertation to OhioLINK is always the final day of the semester of graduation by 11:59 p.m.
This is a hard deadline. If you do not submit by this deadline, you will not graduate.
7. All of your grades must be posted. Any In Progress, Incomplete, and Not Reported grades must be resolved.
We recommend reviewing your transcript each semester to ensure you and your professor have resolved or have a plan to resolve any PR, IN, or NR grades.
Talk to your professors about any in progress, incomplete, or not reported grades as soon as possible.
All grades must be posted by the grading deadline shortly after the end of the term.
8. You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Your cumulative GPA refers to the grade point average you have from all graduate coursework. If you have any concerns regarding your cumulative GPA, connect with your advisor as soon as possible to discuss.
How often should I check my GPA?
We recommend monitoring your term and cumulative GPA each semester in your MyUT Portal.
9. Complete the online Survey of Earned Doctorates.
Keep an eye on your Rockets email! You'll receive a link to complete the online Survey of Earned Doctorates from GCAcademicSvcs@utoledo.edu. All you will need to do is complete this following your defense and a certificate of completion will automatically be sent to us! You can also access the survey with the link below:
When do I complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates?
Complete this following your defense! A certificate of completion will be sent to us automatically.
10. Pay all outstanding fees and fines.
Be sure to pay all fees and fines you may have as soon as possible to ensure access to your official transcript.
Graduation Services Fee
All graduate students who have applied to graduate must pay the graduation services fee of $125.
Other Fees
Be sure to check your E-Statement in your MyUT Portal to ensure any outstanding fees are paid.
When do I pay my Graduation Services Fee?
We encourage paying this fee as soon as possible upon receipt of the payment link via Rockets email. You can pay this anytime during the semester.
Get Ready to Celebrate!
We are so excited to celebrate you at commencement! For information about preparing for commencement, visit our toolkit including information on the ceremony, purchasing regalia, what to expect on the big day, and more!
We're Here to Help!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here and happy to help you prepare to cross the finish line!