Important Information, Dates and Deadlines

• THESIS/DISSERTATION:
• Deadline for Thesis Submission
• Thesis Sumittal Forms
• Thesis Format Workshop (PowerPoint Presentation)
• "Common Errors in Thesis Writing & How to Avoid Them" (PowerPoint Presentation)
• Thesis Format Workshops
• Thesis Preparation
• Thesis/Dissertation Format Workbook (2007-2008 Revision)
• Download Sample of an Unformatted Thesis
• Download "Formatting a Thesis Using MS Word" (PowerPoint Presentation)
• Deadline for Advancement to Candidacy Form to Graduate School
• Deadline for Application for Graduation - *Update*
• Deadline for Scholarships/Fellowships
• Graduation Deadlines
• Graduate Assistantships
• Graduate School Academic & Advisory Committee (Faculty Senate Committee)
• Graduate Student Advisory Committee Composition
• Transferable Credits Toward a Graduate Degree (effective March 10, 1999)
• Commencement "Walk Through" Policy for Students Missed the Thesis Deadline for May Graduation.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Deadline for Thesis & Dissertation Submission

• Fall Graduation: December 3
• Spring Graduation: April 7
• Summer Graduation: August 1

Note: If the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the deadline is the closest Monday. For example, if the deadline is Dec. 3 and that falls on a Saturday, then the actual deadline will be Monday, December 5th.

Back to Top

Deadline for Advancement to Candidacy Form

At the latest, the Advancement to Candidacy Form must be submitted at least one semester before you plan to graduate. [Page 7, Graduate Student Handbook]

• Fall: October 15

• Spring: February 15

• Summer: July 15

Note: If the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the deadline is the closest Monday. For example, if the deadline is October 15 and that falls on a Saturday, then the actual deadline will be Monday, October 17.

Back to Top

Deadline for Application for Graduation

Application for graduation (140K PDF) is filed through the Graduation Office -- 1st floor Signers' Hall. Contact them at 474-7523 to submit the application and fee for graduation. After Graduation receives your application for graduation they will send you a graduation checklist with any remaining requirements necessary for graduation.

• Fall Graduation: October 15

• Spring Graduation: February 15

• Summer Graduation: July 15

*Please note: The Graduation Office deadline is the previous Friday if the normal deadline falls on a weekend. Late applicants will be charged an additional $30.00

Back to Top

Deadline for Scholarships/Fellowships (Please see the application for the actual deadline each year; it is adjusted for years when the deadline date falls on a weekend.)

• The Graduate Fellowship Program: March 21

• Thesis Completion Fellowship Program: February 14

• Summer Research Tuition Scholarships: April 22

• Graduate Assistantships: various deadlines

• Travel Grant Program: January 30, May 30, and September 30

• Austin Cooley Talent Grant: February 15 each year

• Rausch Scholarship: February 15 each year

• Other Scholarships: various deadlines
• UA Foundation February 15 each year

• UA Privately Funded Scholarships February 15 each year

• Scholarships outside UAF: various deadlines

Graduation deadlines

Fall
Advancement to Candidacy: October 15
Post Defense Copy of Thesis: December 3
All other paperwork*: December 20

Spring
Advancement to Candidacy: February 15
Post Defense Copy of Thesis: April 7
All other paperwork: April 24

Summer
Advancement to Candidacy: July 15
Post Defense Copy of Thesis: August 1
All other paperwork: August 12

*Examples of "other paperwork":
-- Report on Exam Form for: Thesis defense, project defense, and/or comprehensive exam
--Revision Memos (exceptions to policy)
--Report on Language or Research Tool Form

Note: If any deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the deadline is the closest Monday. For example, if the deadline is Dec. 3, which may fall on a Saturday, then the actual deadline will be Monday, December 5th.

Back to Top

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants can be paid for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students with assistantships must be registered for at least nine credits during the fall and spring semesters and six credits during the summer (no audits).

Teaching assistantships include a tuition payment by the university:

• For no more than 10 credits if the workload is 15 to 20 hours per week.
• For no more than 5 credits if the workload is 10 to 14 hours per week.
• If the assistantship appointment begins on or before the first day of instruction and ends on or after the last day of final examinations for that semester (16 or more weeks). (4/15/93)

Research Assistantships include a tuition payment by grants/contracts:

• For no more than 10 credits if the workload is 15 to 20 hours per week.
• For no more than 5 credits if the workload is 10 to 14 hours per week.
• If the assistantship appointment begins on or before the first day of instruction and ends on or after the last day of final examinations for that semester (16 or more weeks). (4/15/93)

Graduate Assistants must be registered full-time (nine credits consisting of a minimum of three graduate credits; audited courses are not allowed).

Minimum Rate of Pay for Graduate Assistantships (Fall 2008):

Masters student: $15.73/hr 
Ph.D. student before advancement to candidacy; no Masters:  $15.73/hr 
Ph.D. student before advancement to candidacy; Masters:  $17.23/hr 
Ph.D. student after advancement to candidacy:  $18.74/hr

Note: No tuition will be included if the workload is less than 10 hours per week.

For further information on Graduate Assistantship, please visit Graduate Assistantships under Financial Aid in the Online Catalog.

Back to Top

The Graduate Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate School Advisory Committee was combined to become the Graduate Academic and Advisory Committee effective fall 2000. Graduate Academic & Advisory Committee will include ten faculty members. The dean of the Graduate School, director of the library, the university registrar, and two graduate students, are non-voting ex-officio members. The committee will be responsible for the review and approval of graduate courses, curriculum and graduate degree requirements, and other academic matters related to instruction and mentoring of graduate students. The committee will also have responsibility for oversight, review and approval of all professional degree courses and programs including 500-level courses. The committee will advise the dean of the graduate school and the provost on administrative matters pertinent to the operation and growth of graduate studies at UAF, including financial and tax-related issues and dealings with other universities.

Back to Top

Graduate Advisory Committee Composition

Master's Degree:

1. The core advisory committee of Master's degree students must consist of three approved University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty members. Faculty participating above this number are considered additional committee members. Committee membership must be approved by the home department, Unit Dean, and the Dean of the Graduate School.
2. Retired and/or Emeritus faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks who have an association with the home department may serve on Master's advisory committees, upon expressed approval by the home department.
3. Faculty from other universities and other professionals who are not employed by University of Alaska Fairbanks may serve as either core or additional committee members on Master's advisory committees, upon expressed approval by the home department. They may not serve as the chair of an advisory committee, but may serve as the co-chair.

Doctoral Degree:

1. The core advisory committee of Doctoral degree students must consist of four approved University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty members. Faculty participating above this number are considered additional committee members. Committee membership must be approved by the home department, Unit Dean, and the Dean of the Graduate School.
2. For interdisciplinary students, one member must be from a Ph.D. granting department.
3. Retired and/or Emeritus faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks who have an association with the home department may serve on Doctoral advisory committees, upon expressed approval by the home department.
4. Faculty from other universities and other professionals who are not employed by University of Alaska Fairbanks may serve as either core or additional committee members on Doctoral advisory committees, upon expressed approval by the home department. They may not serve as the chair of an advisory committee, but may serve as the co-chair.

Note: Guidelines for Intercampus Collaboration on Ph.D. Studies - Committee membership

Back to Top

Thesis Preparation

Please download the These Preparation Workbook for reference to specific information.

Back to Top

Transferable Credits Toward a Graduate Degree

The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following motion approved by the UAF Chancellor (effective March 10, 1999).

The graduate degree credit will be transferable within the UA system and from any other accredited institution for courses where the student has received a grade of B or better with the following stipulations:

• up to 1/2 of all graduate degree credits may be transferred with no more than 1/3 of all graduate degree credits transferred from any other accredited institution outside the UA system.
• For use in a specific graduate program, the student's graduate committee must approve the transfer credits and it must be clearly indicated in the Graduate Study Plan and on the Advancement to Candidacy Form.

Commencement "Walk Through" Policy for Students Missed the Thesis Deadline for May Graduation
 
The UAF Faculty Senate passed this policy on April, 2006. The Chancellor approved this policy on May, 2006.

To meet the definition of having "essentially completed all degree requirements" to "walk through" graduation ceremonies, a student must have met the following requirements:

1. successfully completed all required tests, course work and thesis/project defense; and
2. submitted to the Graduate School by the date set for filing a thesis/dissertation in Spring Semester, a memorandum signed by the student and the major advisor certifying that any required revisions to the project/thesis/dissertation can be completed by July 31 of the same year.

 

Individuals who "walk through" graduation ceremonies will NOT be listed in the graduation program. These students names, and if Ph.D. recipients, descriptions of dissertation research, will appear in the program of of the academic year in which the degree is formally granted.

Note: When submitting this request in writing to the Graduate School, please address separately each item above in your memo and provide specific dates. Also remember to have both the student and advisor signatures on the request.

Back to Top