Master's Degree Requirements/Steps to Master's Degree
You must maintain continuous registration until all degree requirements have been met.
Step | What to Do | When | Approved by |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Meet with departmental graduate advisor to plan course of study for first semester. |
Before first semester registration. |
Graduate advisor |
2 |
Establish advisory committee; submit your degree plan online. |
Following the deadline imposed by the student's college and approved no later than 90 days prior to the request of final oral or thesis defense; see the Graduate and Professional School calendar. |
Advisory committee, department head, and the Graduate and Professional School |
3 |
If thesis is required, submit thesis research proposal and Research Proposal Approval Form to the Graduate and Professional School. |
Must be submitted no later than 20 working days prior to submitting the request and announcement of final examination. |
Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, Research Compliance and Biosafety, and the Graduate and Professional School |
4 |
Apply for a degree online at the Howdy portal; pay graduation fee. |
During the first week of final semester; pay graduation fee after graduate application is submitted; see the Graduate and Professional School calendar. |
The Graduate and Professional School |
5 |
Check to make sure degree program and advisory committee are up-to-date, and course work is complete. |
Well before submitting request to schedule final examination. |
Advisory committee, graduate advisor and department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty |
6 |
Complete residence requirement. (Check with your department to determine if there is a residency requirement.) |
If applicable, before or during final semester. |
The Graduate and Professional School |
7 |
Submit Request and Announcement of Final Examination to schedule final examination to the Graduate and Professional School. |
Must be received by the Graduate and Professional School at least 10 working days before exam date.(See The Graduate and Professional School calendar for deadlines.) |
Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty, and the Graduate and Professional School |
8 |
Successfully complete final examination. |
The Report of the Final Exam form should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 days following the exam date by the department. |
Advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School |
9 |
If required, upload one approved final copy of thesis as a single PDF file to etd.tamu.edu and submit signed thesis approval form to the Graduate and Professional School. |
See The Graduate and Professional School calendar for deadlines. |
Advisory committee, department head or chair of the intercollegiate faculty and the Graduate and Professional School |
10 |
Graduation; arrange for cap and gown. More information |