Congratulations… you are nearing the end of your graduate degree career at Jackson State University.

The ‘On-line Graduate Clearance’ process is completed in the semester you plan to graduate. Dates are published on the Graduate School Website (Click here for Dates)

Basic Requirements…

A.  Masters-degree Students:

• Application for Graduation Clearance via PAWS, by the published deadline during the semester you wish to graduate.
• Completion the required semester hours of course work with a ‘B’ average or better (3.0).
• Completion of all departmental requirements. (see Graduate Catalog or Departmental Handbook)
• Removal of all Incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) Grades.

At this time you should……………………………………

1. Conduct a degree evaluation with your advisor. If you have changed your course of study you may need to revise your plan of study or complete a Course Substitution Form.
2. Review the “Guidelines for Preparing a Masters’ Thesis” or “Guidelines for a Masters’ Project“
3. Schedule your Thesis/Project Defense, click here for Dates and Deadlines.
4. Review the Graduation Checklist with your advisor.

B.  Doctoral Students

• Application for Graduation Clearance via PAWS, by the published deadline during the semester you wish to graduate.
• Completion of the required semester hours of course work with a ‘B’ average or better (3.0).
• Completion of all departmental requirements. (see Graduate Catalog or Departmental Handbook)
• Removal of all Incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) Grades.
• Completion of the Application for Graduate Degree Candidacy.

At this time you should.…………

1. Conduct a degree evaluation with your advisor.  If you have changed your course of study you may need to revise your plan of study or complete a Course Substitution Form.
2. Review the “Guidelines for the Preparing a Doctoral Dissertation”.
3. Schedule your Dissertation Defense.
4. Review the  Graduation Checklist with your advisor.

C.  Specialist Students

• Application for Graduation Clearance via PAWS, by the published deadline during the semester you wish to graduate.
• Completed the required semester hours of course work with a ‘B’ average (3.0).
• Completion of all departmental requirements. (see Graduate Catalog or Departmental Handbook)
• Removal of all Incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) Grades.
• Completion of the Application for Graduate Degree Candidacy.

At this time you should..

1. Conduct a degree evaluation with your advisor.  If you have changed your course of study you may need to revise your plan of study or complete a Course Substitution Form.
2. Review the “Guidelines for Specialist Project”.  
3. Schedule your Thesis/Project Defense.
4. Review the  Graduation Checklist with your advisor.

REVIEW THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR ADVISOR

• Graduate English Competency Examination Requirement completed. (Master only)
• Graduate Area Comprehensive Examination was taken or will be taken. (Click here for an application).
• Committee Approved (Click here for Committee Approval Form).
• Committee Report of Defense Results on file in the Division of Graduate Studies. (Click here for the form).
• All departmental requirements completed.
• Complete the Online Graduation Clearance process in P.A.W.S. (Review the Graduation Checklist)
• Cap and gown ordered for Commencement. Obtain information on Commencement Activities from the JSU Website.