Degree Completion

Obtaining a graduate or professional degree involves the synchronization of many moving parts. The Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School is working hard to ensure a smooth process from matriculation to graduation. On this page, you’ll find links and information for everything you need to know to successfully complete your degree.

The Knowledge Center contains basic information detailing the necessary steps for fulfilling graduate degree requirements, including what you need to do, when you need to do it and who is involved in the approval process.

Fulfilling your master’s, doctoral, or first-professional doctoral degree requirements can seem overwhelming at first. The information and services below can direct you to the appropriate resource or process you need to complete each phase of your journey.

Howdy Portal

The first step to making sure you are on the right track for fulfilling your degree program is to become familiar with Howdy, Texas A&M’s web portal that connects you with records and resources pertaining to your individualized plan. If you haven’t already, set up your student account to access class registration, student schedules, degree plans and more.

DEGREE PLAN SUBMISSION

Graduate and professional students must submit an official degree plan for approval through the Graduate and Professional School Document Processing Submission System (DPSS). The degree plan formally declares your degree objective, the specific courses of your degree program and the membership of your advisory committee, who will approve your degree plan along with the head of your department or intercollegiate faculty chairperson.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS COMPLETION SYSTEM (ARCS)

After your degree plan is approved, you will manage actions related to degree milestones -- from forms and documents to petitions and requests in the new Academic Requirements Completion System (ARCS).

Thesis and Dissertation Requirements and Information

Your thesis, dissertation or record of study marks the apex of your graduate program and showcases the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout. The Graduate and Professional School provides the resources you need to create a final product that meets the high scholarly standards set by Texas A&M University. Services include reviewing each electronic thesis, dissertation and record of study (ETD) for uniformity, consistency and adherence to university guidelines and coordinating the timely release of the ETD for public access.

Establishing a Graduate Advisory Committee

Most programs require that you work with your department or program to establish your advisory committee as a part of your degree planning process. Check with your committee chair or advisor for details. The Graduate Faculty Search can assist you in selecting members of your committee.

Contact Records Processing

The Records Processing Team is responsible for facilitating document processing related to graduate students’ progress toward their specific graduate degree. Contact us for questions about ARCS, DPSS or other issues having to do with records processing.

Email: gradprocessing@tamu.edu

Phone: 979-845-3631

Graduation is the ceremony at which the degree is conferred and the diploma awarded to degree candidates, contingent the completion of all requirements by the specified deadlines. Doctoral students who participate in the graduation ceremony have the opportunity to be hooded in addition to receiving their diploma. Texas A&M University holds graduation ceremonies three times per year, in May, December and August.