Step 1

Submit these forms by the deadline to Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225):

• Program Planning Worksheet (PPW)
• Graduate Degree Plan
• Dual Degree Worksheet(if applicable)

After you have registered for your last semester of coursework*. Follow the deadline below for the semester you will complete all degree requirements:

• Spring completion: 
  December 5

• Summer completion: December 5

• Fall completion:
  April 15

* If last course(s) will be taken in summer session, list the courses you have planned, even though you won’t register for them until April

• Faculty advisor (and sometimes concentration head) signature is required.
• Do not simply leave the form for your advisor to sign and return to you.  The object of the signature is to indicate that a discussion and approval have taken place.
• If you have trouble reaching your faculty advisor, consult with Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225)
• Do not obtain the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies.  
• If you are completing a graduate minor, you must obtain the signature of the Director of Graduate Students for the minor

Step 2

Individual Professional Papers Only:

Submit the Paper Topic Approval Form by the deadline to Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225).

This step is only for students who complete the individual professional paper (e.g. non-capstone) option.

The first day of the semester in which you are registering for professional paper credit.

• Professional paper supervisor signature is required. Make an appointment well before the deadline so that you have time to discuss and obtain approval for your plans.
• After you have agreed on a plan with your paper supervisor, obtain the signatures of all other committee members.

Step 3

Watch your umn email for a notice from the Graduate School that your Degree Program form has been approved.

The email contains a link to Graduate School (NOT Humphrey School) completion procedures.  ONLY follow Step 3 on the website, which is to order a Graduation Packet.

You should receive this email approximately 4 weeks after you have submitted your Degree Program form. Order your Graduation Packet as soon as you receive this email.

• When given a choice, your degree is a “Plan C” or “coursework only”

Step 4

Review your approved Degree Program form. If your registration has changed from the courses that you listed on your approved Degree Program form, immediately submit a Petition to Amend Degree Program to Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225). See a sample petition form for amending a Degree Program.

As soon as you receive your approved Degree Program form from the Graduate School via email (to umn account).

• Submit this petition as soon as you know you have made a change in your registration because the Graduate School will not award your degree until all courses listed on your Degree Program have been completed or amended via this petition.
• Faculty advisor signature is required, so plan ahead!
• Do not obtain the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies.

Step 5

Individual Professional Papers Only:

Work with your committee members to schedule a date and book a room for your oral presentation, which usually lasts about an hour.

To reserve a conference room, contact the Front Desk staff in Room 130 (612-626-8910 or hhhfdesk@umn.edu).

Students who complete the professional paper through a capstone or working group should not need to reserve a room for the oral presentation (check with instructor).

As soon as you receive your approved Degree Program form from the Graduate School via email (to umn account).

• The oral presentation will typically begin with a brief presentation of your professional paper to your committee, followed by a discussion. It is not unusual for committee members to ask you to revise your paper.
• Your paper supervisor will sign the title page of your paper, indicating that you have satisfactorily completed your oral presentation.
• All committee members, including your paper supervisor, will sign the title page of your paper when it is judged satisfactory (after revisions if necessary).
• You should distribute copies of your final paper to all committee members at least two weeks before the scheduled date of your oral presentation.

Step 6

Submit two documents found in the Graduation Packet to Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225):

• Final Report Form (do not obtain any signatures)
• Application for Degree, completed and signed by you

Immediately after Graduation Packet has been obtained, attend to these forms by the deadline below.

 Deadline: 15th day of the month before you will complete all degree requirements. For example:

• Finishing in May - April 15

• Finishing in August - July 15

• Finishing in December -November 15

• Humphrey School commencement, held once a year in May, is for everyone having a degree conferred from the prior September through the following August. 

Step 7

File all internship paperwork in Humphrey Graduate Student Services (Humphrey 225)

• Internship Agreement Form
• Student Evaluation
• Supervisor Evaluation

OR

• Internship Waiver

As soon as your internship has been completed, file paperwork by deadlines below.

Deadline: 15th day of the month before you will complete all degree requirements. For example:

• Finishing in May - April 15

• Finishing in August - July 15

• Finishing in December -November 15

These forms must be filed and approved before you will be approved for degree completion!

Step 8

At the time your degree is awarded you must be in “active status,” which means you must register for that semester.*

* Note that being registered for spring semester will keep you in active status through August 31 (i.e, if you are registered for spring, you do not have to register for summer to have your degree granted in June, July, or August)

Before the beginning of the semester in which you will complete all degree requirements.

• You MUST be registered for something in the semester that your degree will be awarded!! 
• There are serious financial consequences if you do not maintain your active status and want to have your degree awarded at a later date!

Step 9

Respond to email from HHH inviting you to RSVP for HHH commencement in May.

February or March

Humphrey School commencement, held in May of each year, is for everyone having a degree conferred from the prior September through the following August. 

Step 10

Select the appropriate document below for professional paper submission requirements

• Capstone (PA 8081)
• Individual Paper (PA 8082 or PA 8921)

As soon as final version of professional paper has been completed and approved

Deadline: 20th day of the month you will complete all degree requirements

• May 20 for finishing in May

• August 20 for finishing in August

• December 20 for finishing in December

Step 11

The Graduate School will send an email saying one of two things:

• Outstanding Degree Requirements

OR

• Clearance Notification Letter (this means you have finished all degree requirements)

Month of degree completion

• Most people receive the Outstanding Degree Requirements notice.  Check it carefully!  Make sure your records agree with everything!
• This letter will list any coursework on your approved Degree Program that you still need to finish, as well as any forms that still need to be submitted. 
• NOTE: The letter may list your Final Report Form even if you have submitted it to HHH 225 because it won’t be sent to the Graduate School until all HHH degree requirements have been met.

Step 12

Attend HHH commencement!

May

Commencement is held each May on the Sunday after the final examination schedule ends.

Step 13

Become active in the Humphrey School Alumni Society

After degree completion

Watch for and respond to email messages from @umn.edu for information.