Annual Graduate Program Deadlines

Note: Departmental deadlines are cyclical deadlines at the same point in the semester each year (e.g., the 1st Friday in September). These deadlines allow the grad office to gather necessary signatures, recommendations, or arrange for any required faculty votes before the Graduate School deadline. Graduate School deadlines are fixed-date deadlines that change annually. Always double check the Graduate School deadlines website for the most updated information.

All forms can be found and completed at go.umd.edu/socyforms

Full list of Registration Dates and Deadline can be found here.
Fall 2025
September 1, 2025  

Last day to cancel registration
Last day to drop all courses (cancel) and get a 100% refund.

September 2, 2025

 

First day of classes
Late registration begins on the first day of classes. All students initiating registration for the semester on or after this date will be assessed a $20 late registration fee.

September 8, 2025

 

Last day to drop a course with 100% refund
For students who want to drop individual courses, but remain registered (if you are dropping all courses, refer to withdraw from all courses deadlines).

November 12, 2025

 

Last day for graduate students to drop a course, change course credit level and change grading method

 

December 12, 2025

 

Last day of classes
Spring 2026

January 25, 2026

 

Last day to cancel registration
Last day to drop all courses (cancel) and get a 100% refund.

January 26, 2026

 

First day of classes
Late registration begins on the first day of classes. All students initiating registration for the semester on or after this date will be assessed a $20 late registration fee.

January 30, 2026

 

Last day to drop a course with 100% refund
For students who want to drop individual courses, but remain registered (if you are dropping all courses, refer to withdraw from all courses deadlines).
May 8, 2026   Last day of classes
May 20, 2026  

Commencement 

Additional information will be available in March

Fall Semester Deadlines

Departmental Deadline

Graduate School Deadline

Fall Specialty Exams
Monday-Friday before the semester starts

 

Apply for Fall Graduation
1st Friday in September
September 15

Dissertation Committee Approval

Committees with non-UMD graduate faculty members must include that person’s CV, justification for why they are uniquely qualified to serve on the committee, and information to “hire” them on Workday (their date of birth, citizenship/work authorization status, and personal email).
1st Friday in September
September 29

Milton Dean Havron Social Sciences Award

Awarded in 2025 and once every 4 years thereafter.
Last Friday in September
 

Fall Dissertation Defense

The departmental deadline is the deadline to hold the defense. The Graduate School deadline is the deadline to submit the final, approved, and formatted dissertation.
Last Friday in October
November 14

Spring Specialty Exam Request
Last Friday in October

 

Fall MA Degree Conferral

MA degree conferral requires an approved 2nd year paper and completion of required coursework.
Last Friday in December
January 8

Outstanding GA (Grad School Award)
Last Friday in December
January 28

Spring Semester Deadlines

Departmental Deadline

Graduate School Deadline

Spring Specialty Exams
Monday-Friday before the semester starts

 

Apply for Spring Graduation
            February 13
February 13

Dissertation Committee Approval

Committees with non-UMD graduate faculty members must include that person’s CV, justification for why they are uniquely qualified to serve on the committee, and information to “hire” them on Workday (their date of birth, citizenship/work authorization status, and personal email).
Last Friday in January
February 20

Wylie and Lee Thornton Fellowships
Last Friday in January
February 11

Distinguished Dissertation Award
2nd Friday in February
February 25

Graduate School Fellowships
2nd Friday in February
March 4 at 12PM

Department Fellowships

  • Form Summer Fellowship
  • Henkel Quantitative Research Fellowship
  • Kahn Graduate Research Fellowship
  • Presser Fellowship
  • Desai Fellowship
Last Friday in February

 

Spring Dissertation Defense

The departmental deadline is the deadline to hold the defense. The Graduate School deadline is the deadline to submit the final, approved, and formatted dissertation.
Last Friday in March
April 21

Outstanding TA Award (Departmental Award)
2nd Friday in April

 

Janes Award
2nd Friday in April

 

Fall Specialty Exam Request
Last Friday in May

 

Spring MA Degree Conferral

MA degree conferral requires an approved 2nd year paper and completion of required coursework.
Last Friday in May
June 3

Summer Semester Deadlines

Departmental Deadline

Graduate School Deadline

Apply for Summer Graduation
Last Friday in June
July 16

Dissertation Committee Approval

Committees with non-UMD graduate faculty members must include that person’s CV, justification for why they are uniquely qualified to serve on the committee, and information to “hire” them on Workday (their date of birth, citizenship/work authorization status, and personal email).
Last Friday in April
(if there is an external committee member)
Last Friday in May
(if only UMD faculty)
June 15

Summer Dissertation Defense

The departmental deadline is the deadline to hold the defense. The Graduate School deadline is the deadline to submit the final, approved, and formatted dissertation.
 3rd Friday in July
July 31

Summer MA Degree Conferral

MA degree conferral requires an approved 2nd year paper and completion of required coursework.
Last Friday in July
August 28
Last modified
02/04/2026 - 12:34 pm