Graduation Requirements Overview
To graduate with an Ed.D. in Educational Technology at Boise State University, the student must complete several requirements. Many of these are sequential, occurring at specific points in the program. All students can expect close coordination with the College of Education’s Research & Doctoral Program team, which can help them understand and navigate the various requirements.
The path to graduation is marked by certain program milestones; all of these milestones are explained in this handbook. To summarize:
1. All coursework and dissertation hours must be satisfactorily completed (or transfer hours have been recommended and approved to satisfy a portion of them).
2. The student has written a passing comprehensive examination.
3. The student has completed all required pre-dissertation paperwork.
4. The student has successfully defended her or his dissertation.
5. The student has completed post-dissertation dissertation-related requirements and obligations.
* these assume that no money is owed to the University for any charges/expenses
What does “Graduation” mean?
This would seem like a fairly straightforward answer, but students should be aware of the nuances related to it so they understand the importance of deadlines, policies, and procedures as they relate to completing the doctoral program.
Transcription of the Degree
Boise State University only considers you officially graduated once all forms are submitted, the Graduate College personnel have transmitted notification of your successful to the Registrar’s Office, and your doctoral degree appears on your BSU transcript. The transcript is often the evidence necessary for people who are seeking a job or a raise, as employers want to see the verified record of graduation. BSU transcripts degrees only three times per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. The timing of your dissertations defense and submission of final paperwork will determine when your degree gets transcripted, as discussed below.
Dissertation Defense Dates and their Impact on Graduation
For each term (fall, spring, summer), the Graduate College lists a number of dates relevant to paperwork and procedures. A few of those dates relate specifically to students who wish to defend their dissertation in a given term. Students can defend just about any time in Fall or Spring (summer options are more restricted given faculty schedules), but just because you defend does not mean you will “officially” graduate in that semester.
The University calendar shows the recommended defense dates. Generally speaking:
- Fall Semester: last day of the second week of October.
- Spring Semester: last day of the first week of March.
- Summer Term: last day of the third week of June.
Defending by the Graduate College’s Recommended Defense Date
If you defend prior to (or on) the date recommended by the Graduate College (see above), and you submit your final documents to the Grad College by the deadline they specify after you defend (generally a two week window), then you are guaranteed to be able to participate in the Commencement Ceremony if you wish, and your degree will be on the official transcript for that term.
Defending after, but close to, the Graduate College’s Recommended Defense Date
If you defend AFTER the date recommended by the Graduate College (see above), your name will be “waitlisted” for processing, but you must still submit your final documents to the Grad College by the deadline they specify after you defend (generally a two week window). It’s likely that you will have your degree transcripted in that semester, but it’s not guaranteed. To participate in the Ceremony, you may have to file an appeal.
Defending in a given semester but long after the Graduate College’s Recommended Defense Date
Sometimes student need until the end of the semester (ex., even as last as final exam week) to defend their dissertation. If you defend later than about 15 days after the recommended defense date, then it only becomes likely to have your degree transcripted in that particular semester if all required forms and final approvals are submitted to the Grad College by mid-December, mid-May, or mid-July. Given how busy things are at the Grad College (always, but especially late in the semester), it’s probably more common to have your degree transcripted in the following semester. You can walk in the graduation ceremony, but the appeal form for doing so needs to be settled not too far past mid-semester.
NOTE: Keep in mind that no matter when you defend, it will be very important to abide by the final submission dates for documents and forms that will be shared with you by the Graduate College. If you do not submit things in a timely manner, you will not “fail” (provided you passed your dissertation defense), but it will take considerably longer for your degree to get transcripted.
The Commencement Ceremony*
We would LOVE to have you join us for the Commencement (graduation) ceremony! However, you’re not under any obligation to attend. It’s a celebration and recognition of your time and effort, but it makes nothing “official.” Walking (or not) is entirely the choice of the student. Many questions, and responses to them, are found below.
* (aka, “walking” or “getting hooded”)
COMMON QUESTIONS
(1) “I am defending after the Graduate College deadline. Can I still “walk” at Commencement?”
Yes, but you will have to file an appeal with the Graduate College. Contact the EdD program coordinator for more information.
(2) “Do I have to purchase expensive regalia if I decided to attend?”
No, you can rent graduation robes, caps, hoods, etc. Information about this will be sent by the Grad College some months before Commencement.
(3) “I don’t want to participate in the Ceremony. Is my graduation official?”
You are not obligated to attend the ceremony. The verification of your degree is solely based on your transcript.
(4) “What is the date of the Commencement ceremony?”
(5) “If I defend in the fall, can I walk in the spring ceremony?
It’s possible, but you will have to ask the Graduate College personnel first. Contact the EdD program coordinator for more information.
(6) “Who puts the hood on me at the Ceremony?”
Most commonly doctoral students are hooded by their major advisor (or a designated committee member) and the Dean of the College of Education. If you would like other arrangements to be made, contact the EdD program coordinator.
(7) “I plan to buy my own regalia for the Commencement ceremony. What do I even get?”
We have a visual guide for you!
(8) “When do I receive my actual diploma?”
Typically students receive their official, printed diploma within 30-45 days of having their degree transcripted.
(9) “I cannot get a raise (or be hired) until my degree completion has been acknowledged. But I cannot wait for transcription because it’s past a deadline. What do I do?”
The program coordinator can write a letter on College of Education letterhead that states you’ve satisfied all program requirements for the doctoral program. The letter does include a caveat that the degree is not official until transcripted.