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Academic Conduct Expectations

Check CECS’s graduate student conduct expectations by following this link.

UCF Academic Calendar

For a more comprehensive list of deadlines, please go to the UCF Academic Calendar.

Graduation & Certification (Spring 2026)

  • Intent to Graduate & Walk-Only Requests:  March 16, 2026. No exceptions.
  • Commencement Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 7:00pm.
  • Final Certification Deadline: June 8, 2026
  • Checklist Items Due: End of March/Beginning of April (portfolios, exams, etc.) follow up with your program for those due dates.

Graduation & Certification (Summer C 2026)

  • Intent to Graduate & Walk-Only Requests:  June 26, 2026. No exceptions.
  • Commencement Date: July 31 – August 1
  • Final Certification Deadline: TBD
  • Checklist Items Due: End of June/Beginning of July (portfolios, exams, etc.) follow up with your program for those due dates.

Graduation & Certification (Fall 2026)

  • Intent to Graduate & Walk-Only Requests:  June 9 – October 16, 2026. No exceptions.
  • Commencement Date: December 11 – December 12, 2026
  • Final Certification Deadline: TBD
  • Checklist Items Due: End of October/Beginning of November (portfolios, exams, etc.) follow up with your program for those due dates.

Graduation & Certification (Spring 2027)

  • Intent to Graduate & Walk-Only Requests:  October 19, 2026 – March 5, 2027. No exceptions.
  • Commencement Date: May 6 – May 8, 2027
  • Final Certification Deadline: TBD
  • Checklist Items Due: End of March/Beginning of April (portfolios, exams, etc.) follow up with your program for those due dates.

Academic Progress (Spring 2026)

  • Final Grades Posted: May 10, 2026
  • Standing Review: May 11, 2026
  • Probation Paperwork: May 19, 2026

Academic Progress (Summer C 2026)

  • Final Grades Posted: August 7, 2026
  • Standing Review: August 7, 2026
  • Probation Paperwork: August 28, 2026

Academic Progress (Fall 2026)

  • Final Grades Posted: December 17, 2026
  • Standing Review: December 17, 2026
  • Probation Paperwork: January 15, 2027

Academic Progress (Spring 2027)

Thesis/Dissertation Milestones

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Summer 2026

  • Committee Forms: April 10, 2026
  • Candidacy e-Forms, filed by Program:  April 24, 2026

Fall 2026

  • Committee Forms: July 6, 2026
  • Candidacy e-Forms, filed by Program:  July 17, 2026

Spring 2027

  • Committee Forms: November 6, 2026
  • Candidacy e-Forms, filed by Program:  November 20, 2026

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Summer 2026

  • Committee Forms: April 10, 2026
  • Programs of Study: April 8, 2026

Fall 2026

  • Committee Forms: July 6, 2026
  • Programs of Study: July 2, 2026

Spring 2027

  • Committee Forms: November 6, 2026
  • Programs of Study: November 4, 2026

Follow these steps, in order:

Students missing the Program of Study or Committee formation deadlines can’t register for thesis credits.

Graduate Contracts, Requested by Faculty

Summer 2026

  • Influence Screenings: TBD
  • GRAs: TBD
  • GTAs/Graders: TBD

Fall 2026

  • Influence Screenings: TBD
  • GRAs: TBD
  • GTAs/Graders: TBD

Spring 2027

  • Influence Screenings: TBD
  • GRAs: TBD
  • GTAs/Graders: TBD

Special Leave of Absence

Summer 2026  (Follow Summer C) 

  • Submit dynamic form + supporting documents by May 19, 2026 

Requests without supporting documents will be denied. 

Fall 2026 

  • Submit dynamic form + supporting documents by August 28, 2026 

Requests without supporting documents will be denied. 

Spring 2027 

  • Submit dynamic form + supporting documents by January 15, 2027

Requests without supporting documents will be denied. 

Thesis/Dissertation Defense Deadlines

Spring 2026

  • Release Options: March 16, 2026
  • Format Review & Defense Posting: March 27, 2026
  • Defense: April 10, 2026
  • Final Submission: April 24, 2026

Summer C 2026

  • Release Options: June 19, 2026
  • Format Review & Defense Posting: June 19, 2026
  • Defense: July 7, 2026
  • Final Submission: July 17, 2026

Fall 2026 

  • Release Options: October 9, 2026
  • Format Review & Defense Posting: October 23, 2026
  • Defense: November 6, 2026
  • Final Submission: November 2026

Spring 2027

  • Release Options: March 15, 2027
  • Format Review & Defense Posting: March 26, 2027
  • Defense: April 9, 2027
  • Final Submission: April 23, 2027

Registration Dates/Forms

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Summer C 2026

  • Registration Begins: March 24, 2026
  • Registration Ends: May 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on May 12, 2026. 
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Begins: May 13, 2026, at 12:00 AM
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Ends: May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on May 12, 2026. 
  • All Administrative Record Changes: May 29, 2026, at Noon
  • Tuition is Due: May 29, 2026
  • Withdrawal Deadline: June 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on June 10, 2026.

*Students registering for the first time after May 12, 2026, will be accessed a $100 late registration fee.*

Fall 2026

  • Registration Begins: March 24, 2026
  • Registration Ends: August 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on August 23, 2026. 
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Begins: August 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Ends: August 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on May 12, 2026. 
  • All Administrative Record Changes: September 4, 2026, at Noon
  • Tuition is Due: September 4, 2026
  • Withdrawal Deadline: October 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on October 30, 2026. 

*Students registering for the first time after August 23, 2026, will be accessed a $100 late registration fee.*

Spring 2027

  • Registration Begins: TBD
  • Registration Ends: January 10, 2027, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on January 8, 2027. 
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Begins: January 11, 2027, at 12:00 AM
  • Late Registration (Add/Drop/Swap) Ends: January 15, 2027, at 11:59 PM.  Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on January 15, 2027. 
  • All Administrative Record Changes: January 22, 2027, at Noon
  • Tuition is Due: January 22, 2027, at 5PM
  • Withdrawal Deadline: April 2, 2027, at 11:59 PM. Please note that UCF Offices close at 5 PM on April 2, 2027. 

*Students registering for the first time after January 10, 2027, will be accessed a $100 late registration fee.*

Full-Time Load:

  • Summer: 6 credit hours (or 3 thesis/dissertation)
  • Fall/Spring: 9 credit hours (or 3 thesis/dissertation)

Late Add/Drop/Swap Requests

  • Must go through your program coordinator
  • Due by week 2; prof approval + documentation required
  • Only Registrar’s Office can change your schedule after late reg ends

Fellowship Nominations

  • Graduate Dean’s Fellowship: March 15, 2026
  • Summer Mentoring Fellowship: March 15, 2026