Graduation Deadlines
Degrees are awarded three times per year at MIT: May/June, September, and February. Commencement exercises only take place in May/June. Students awarded degrees in February or September have the option of participating in Commencement in May/June following their degree completion. A Doctoral Hooding Ceremony takes place the day preceding Commencement.
Highlights of Semester Deadlines for Advanced Degree Candidates
| May/June Candidates | September Candidates | February Candidates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree application deadline | Friday of 1st week of term | Friday of 1st week of term | Friday of 1st week of term |
| Apply for OPT, if international | Mid-February | Early Summer | By beginning of December |
| Deadline to establish doctoral Thesis Examination Committee | Mid-March | Early July | Early December |
| Thesis Title info due | Late March | Early July | Early December |
| Schedule Doctoral Thesis Defense | April | July | January |
| Thesis due | Late April / Early May | End of 1st week in August | Mid-January |
| Deadline to go off degree list | Mid-May | Mid-August | Mid-January |
Thesis Deadlines for June 2025 Graduation:
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| Jan 27 – Jan 31 | Registration Week, spring term. |
|---|---|
| Feb 3 (Mon) | First day of classes, spring term. |
| Feb 7 (Fri) | Degree application deadline for June 2024 graduation. (http://student.mit.edu/cgi-docs/student.html). |
| Feb 21 (Fri) | International students to consult Math Academic Services (MAS) and ISO to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). |
| Mar 7 (Fri) | Suggested deadline for candidates to finalize composition of the examination committee. Instructions and the appropriate form can be found online (http://math.mit.edu/academics/grad/timeline/defense.php). |
| Mar 21 (Fri) | Suggested deadline for June degree candidates to distribute thesis copies to examination committee members. See the guide Specification for Thesis Preparation online (http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/thesis-specs/). Committee members should have text in hand at least two weeks before the scheduled defense. Defense notices to be posted at least one week prior to event. Thesis abstract should be part of all doctoral defense notices. |
| Apr 1 – 25 | Suggested time for June 2025 PhD candidates to hold their thesis defense. |
| Apr 11 (Fri) | Last day to submit final thesis title to Registrar. Preliminary titles should be confirmed or corrected in MAS. All changes require the approval of the thesis advisor. |
| May 16 (Fri) | Last day to go off the June 2025 degree list. |
| May 21 (Weds) | Deadline for submission of successfully defended doctoral thesis and all accompanying documents. Instructions and the appropriate form can be found online (http://math.mit.edu/academics/grad/timeline/defense.php). |
| May 28 (Wed) | Doctoral Hooding and Degree Conferral Ceremony. No tickets required for admission. Department Luncheon for degree candidates & families/guests immediately to follow. |
| May 30 (Fri) | Commencement 2025. |
Instructions
For more specific semester deadline details, consult the Math Academic Services Office.
Extensions
The thesis submission deadline for each semester is posted on the MIT Academic Calendar. Extensions of this deadline are approved only under unusual circumstances, generally only for reasons beyond the student's control. To apply for an extension, have the following sent to the Graduate Co-Chairs: (1) an email explaining the reason for the extension, and (2) an email from the advisor recommending the extension.