Texas Tech University

Navigating Your Master's Degree

General steps for Master's thesis students

General steps for Master's non-thesis students

1.  Plan courses for degree

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate Advisor
  • When: Prior to registration

PSS Departmental Master's (Thesis) Program of Study Approval Form

PSS Departmental Master's (Non-Thesis) Program of Study Approval Form

2.  Set up thesis advisory committee and title, if applicable

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate Advisor
  • When: Prior to filing "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy" form

3.  File "Master's Degree Plan" form

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor or Chair, Advisory Committee
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Enrollment Services
  • When: After first semester of master's coursework, no later than the posted deadline

Master's Degree Plan and Admission to Candidacy Form

4.  File changes in degree program, if necessary

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor or Chair, Advisory Committee
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Enrollment Services
  • When: As needed

5.  Enroll in semester of graduation

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor or Chair, Advisory Committee
  • Where: Submitted to Registrar
  • When: Semester of graduation

At least 3 hours of thesis, if defending thesis

6.  Apply to Graduate

  • Who: Initiated by Student
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Enrollment Services
  • When: Semester of graduation no later than posted deadline (One must be filed for each intended graduation semester)

Go to raiderlink.ttu.edu » 'TTU MyTech' » 'Current Term' » 'Apply to Graduate'

7.  Schedule final comprehensive examination and/or submit defense notification form

  • Who: Initiated by Student
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Thesis Coordinator
  • When: Semester of graduation (usually about 6 weeks before graduation or no later than posted deadline)

Comprehensive Evaluation Report

Master's and Doctoral Defense Notification Form

8.  After the defense, the chair sends the "Report on the Comprehensive Exam" form to the Graduate School Masters Coordinator

  • Who: Initiated by Graduate Advisor or Chair, Advisory Committee
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Enrollment Services
  • When: Semester of graduation (usually about 6 weeks before graduation or no later than posted deadline)

9.  Obtain committee signatures on the "Oral Defense and Thesis-Dissertation Approval" form and submit to Graduate School

  • Who: Initiated by Student (thesis option)
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Thesis Coordinator
  • When: Prior to deadline during semester of graduation

Oral Defense and Thesis-Dissertation Approval Form

10.  Pay the Thesis-Dissertation fee, if applicable

  • Who: Initiated by Student (thesis option)
  • Where: Submitted to Student Business Services
  • When: Prior to deadline during semester of graduation

11.  After incorporating committee changes, submit .pdf file of thesis to the ETD website for official review

  • Who: Initiated by Student (thesis option)
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Thesis Coordinator
  • When: Semester of graduation (usually 5 weeks before graduation date or no later than posted deadline)

ETD Checklist

ETD Website

12.  Final grade for thesis hours (A or B) Grade will be "CR" until final semester

  • Who: Initiated by Chair, Advisory Committee
  • Where: Submitted to Registrar – Final grade roll
  • When: End of semester

13.  Submit official .pdf of thesis to ETD website

  • Who: Initiated by Student (thesis option)
  • Where: Submitted to Graduate School Thesis Coordinator
  • When: Prior to deadline

ETD Website