Review the steps to your master’s degree during an initial meeting with your department advisor, and/or program coordinator. Your advisor can help you determine if your master’s program is a Master’s Thesis — Plan A, Master’s Non-Thesis — Plan B, or a Master’s Coursework Only — Plan C program. You can also identify your program by reviewing the University Requirements page.
Subsequent meetings are normally necessary as you progress to degree completion. Advisors, departments, and programs may also have additions or modifications to the steps in this guide.
Steps for Master's Programs by Plan Type
Step 1 – Register for classes
As a graduate student, you must be registered every fall and spring semester in a credit-bearing course or enrolled in continuous registration (CR). If you are graduating in the summer term, registration is required in a course or CR is required. Please review the Continuous Registration and Graduation Enrollment Policies page for additional information.
Please indicate your anticipated graduation date in Registration Ready (RegReady) when registering for courses. The anticipated graduation date is used by units such as the Office of Financial Aid. Follow the instructions in step 6 below when you are ready to apply to graduate.
Step 2 – Select your advisor and committee
Choose your faculty advisor and your committee members in consultation with your department before completing the GS6 Program of Study. Your committee composition must meet Graduate School requirements, as described on the Graduate School requirements webpage.
Step 3 – Fill out your GS6 Program of Study form
Before completing the GS6, it is necessary to consult with your department. The GS6 may not be required for your program, and you may need to meet other deadlines or requirements as specified by your department.
The GS6 defines your degree requirements such as:
- coursework
- final defense
- thesis
- advisor and committee members
- accepted transfer credits
- other requirements
The GS6 must be submitted to the Graduate School before or during your third semester — completing it as early as possible is to your benefit. Visit our GS6 Program of Study page and Forms page for more details and familiarize yourself with the academic Deadline Dates for your anticipated graduation term.
Step 4 – Review thesis formatting guidelines
Prior to starting your thesis, please review the formatting guidelines for resources and requirements.
Step 5 – Review committee
Review your committee in your Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure it is current.
The GS9A Petition for Committee Member Changes form can be used to request any changes you need to make to your committee since your GS6 Program of Study form was approved by the Graduate School.
You may change your advisor or committee member(s) after your GS6 Program of Study form has been approved by the Graduate School.
Step 6 – Complete the GS25 Application to Graduate form
To apply or reapply to graduate, you must submit the GS25 Application for Graduation form to the Graduate School by the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to graduate. Academic deadline dates are published at: graduateschool.colostate.edu/deadline-dates
The GS25 records:
- the term you intend to complete your degree requirements.
- how you want your name printed on your diploma.
- course changes that may need to be made to your GS6 Program of Study.
- other discrepancies that must be addressed.
Access the GS25 in RAMweb. You will complete the required information in RAMweb and submit the digital form with all required signatures to the Graduate School. Review the GS25 Application for Graduation page and Forms page for additional details.
Regularly review your Graduate Degree Plan with your advisor for any course requirements, discrepancy grades that need to be addressed, any non-course requirements that need to be satisfied and any other discrepancy.
Step 7 – Take your final examination/defense
Review your committee (again!) in your Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure it is current.
The GS24 Final Exam Results form must be signed by members of your committee after you have completed the final examination/defense. The GS24 form must be submitted to the Graduate School within two working days after the results of the examination are known, and by the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree requirements. All committee member signatures must meet the deadline for submission of the digital form to the Graduate School.
Step 8 – Complete your thesis submission form
The GS30 Thesis/Dissertation Submission form is signed by the members of your committee when your thesis is approved and ready for electronic submission. The GS30 must be submitted to the Graduate School by the academic Deadline Date of the semester that you intend to graduate.
Optional embargo request
The GS30 includes an optional Embargo Restriction Request for students requesting to delay public release of their thesis, usually due to a pending patent or publication.
Step 9 – Submit your thesis electronically through ProQuest/UMI
As you write your thesis, review the Thesis and Dissertation resources on our website.
Submit your thesis electronically to ProQuest/UMI. Your document must be approved for formatting prior to the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to graduate. You may have required formatting corrections in your document, so we recommended submitting it in advance of the academic deadline date.
Step 10 – Attend the Graduate School Commencement ceremony
Step 11 – Order transcripts and receive your diploma from the Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar will assist you with ordering transcripts and mailing your diploma.
Transcripts
- Your awarded degree will be printed on your transcript.
- Available approximately two weeks after the end of the semester. For assistance ordering your transcripts, please contact the Registrar’s office at [email protected] or call (970) 491-4860 with questions.
Diplomas
- Mailed by the Register’s Office to the address provided on your student record approximately eight weeks after the end of the semester.
- For questions regarding diplomas, certified copies, notarizations or diploma covers, please email the [email protected] or call (970) 491-4860.
Step 1 – Register for classes
As a graduate student, you must be registered every fall and spring semester in a credit-bearing course or enrolled in continuous registration (CR). If you are graduating in the summer term, registration is required in a course or CR is required. Please review the Continuous Registration and Graduation Enrollment Policies page for additional information.
Please indicate your anticipated graduation date in Registration Ready (RegReady) when registering for courses. The anticipated graduation date is used by units such as the Office of Financial Aid. Follow the instructions in step 5 below when you are ready to apply to graduate.
Step 2 – Select your advisor and committee
Choose your faculty advisor and your committee members in consultation with your department before completing the GS6 Program of Study. Your committee composition must meet Graduate School requirements, as described on the Graduate School requirements webpage.
Step 3 – Fill out your GS6 Program of Study form
Before completing the GS6, it is necessary to consult with your department. The GS6 may not be required for your program, and you may need to meet other deadlines or requirements as specified by your department.
The GS6 defines your degree requirements such as:
- coursework
- final defense / final exam
- advisor and committee members
- accepted transfer credits
- other requirements
The GS6 must be submitted to the Graduate School before or during your third semester — completing it as early as possible is to your benefit. Visit our GS6 Program of Study page and Forms page for more details and familiarize yourself with the academic Deadline Dates for your anticipated graduation term.
Step 4 – Review committee members
Review your committee in your Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure it is current.
The GS9A Petition for Committee Member Changes form can be used to request any changes you need to make to your committee since your GS6 Program of Study form was approved by the Graduate School.
You may change your advisor or committee member(s) after your GS6 Program of Study form has been approved by the Graduate School.
Step 5 – Complete the GS25 Application to Graduate form
To apply or reapply to graduate, you must submit the GS25 Application for Graduation form to the Graduate School by the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to graduate. Academic deadline dates are published at: graduateschool.colostate.edu/deadline-dates
The GS25 records:
- the term you intend to complete your degree requirements.
- how you want your name printed on your diploma.
- course changes that may need to be made to your GS6 Program of Study.
- other discrepancies that must be addressed.
Access the GS25 in RAMweb. You will complete the required information in RAMweb and submit the digital form with all required signatures to the Graduate School. Review the GS25 Application for Graduation page and Forms page for additional details.
Regularly review your Graduate Degree Plan with your advisor for any course requirements, discrepancy grades that need to be addressed, any non-course requirements that need to be satisfied and any other discrepancy.
Step 6 – Take your final examination/defense
Review your committee (again!) in your Graduate Degree Plan in RAMweb to ensure it is current.
The GS24 Final Exam Results form must be signed by members of your committee after you have completed the final examination/defense. The GS24 form must be submitted to the Graduate School within two working days after the results of the examination are known, and by the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to complete your degree requirements. All committee member signatures must meet the deadline for submission of the digital form to the Graduate School.
Step 7 – Use the GS40 to clear degree requirements
You must use the GS40 Non-Thesis Plan B Master’s Requirement form to clear the degree requirements listed in your Graduate Degree Plan. Plan B Master’s students typically submit a professional paper, project, or portfolio instead of a thesis (Plan A).
All committee member signatures on the deadline must meet the deadline for submission of the digital form to the Graduate School.
Step 8 – Attend the Graduate School Commencement ceremony
Step 9 – Order transcripts and receive your diploma from the Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar will assist you with ordering transcripts and mailing your diploma.
Transcripts
- Your awarded degree will be printed on your transcript.
- Available approximately two weeks after the end of the semester. For assistance ordering your transcripts, please contact the Registrar’s office at [email protected] or call (970) 491-4860 with questions.
Diplomas
- Mailed by the Register’s Office to the address provided on your student record approximately eight weeks after the end of the semester.
- For questions regarding diplomas, certified copies, notarizations or diploma covers, please email the [email protected] or call (970) 491-4860.
Step 1 – Register for classes
As a graduate student, you must be registered every fall and spring semester in a credit-bearing course or enrolled in continuous registration (CR). If you are graduating in the summer term, registration is required in a course or CR is required. Please review the Continuous Registration and Graduation Enrollment Policies page for additional information.
Please indicate your anticipated graduation date in Registration Ready (RegReady) when registering for courses. The anticipated graduation date is used by units such as the Office of Financial Aid. Follow the instructions in step 4 below when you are ready to apply to graduate.
Step 2 – Select your advisor
Choose your faculty advisor in consultation with your department before completing the GS6 Program of Study. Most Master’s Coursework only Plan C students will only have one advisor and will not need to list committee members on the GS6 Program of Study.
Step 3 – Fill out your GS6 Program of Study form
Before completing the GS6, it is necessary to consult with your department. The GS6 may not be required for your program, and you may need to meet other deadlines or requirements as specified by your department.
The GS6 defines your degree requirements such as:
- coursework
- final defense
- thesis
- advisor (most students are not required to list committee members)
- accepted transfer credits
- other requirements
The GS6 must be submitted to the Graduate School before or during your third semester — completing it as early as possible is to your benefit. Visit our GS6 Program of Study page and Forms page for more details and familiarize yourself with the academic Deadline Dates for your anticipated graduation term.
Step 4 – Complete the GS25 Application to Graduate form
To apply or reapply to graduate, you must submit the GS25 Application for Graduation form to the Graduate School by the academic deadline date of the semester that you intend to graduate. Academic deadline dates are published at: graduateschool.colostate.edu/deadline-dates
The GS25 records:
- the term you intend to complete your degree requirements.
- how you want your name printed on your diploma.
- course changes that may need to be made to your GS6 Program of Study.
- other discrepancies that must be addressed.
Access the GS25 in RAMweb. You will complete the required information in RAMweb and submit the digital form with all required signatures to the Graduate School. Review the GS25 Application for Graduation page and Forms page for additional details.
Regularly review your Graduate Degree Plan with your advisor for any course requirements, discrepancy grades that need to be addressed, any non-course requirements that need to be satisfied and any other discrepancy.
Step 5 – Attend the Graduate School Commencement ceremony
We invite you to celebrate your achievements at the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony. The Ceremonies are held each spring and fall semester (a ceremony is not held in the summer semester). You may attend either the fall or spring ceremony to accommodate your schedule or as you work to finish your degree requirements. Details are published on the Commencement page. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Step 6 – Order transcripts and receive your diploma from the Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar will assist you with ordering transcripts and mailing your diploma.
Transcripts
- Your awarded degree will be printed on your transcript.
- Available approximately two weeks after the end of the semester. For assistance ordering your transcripts, please contact the Registrar’s office at [email protected] or call (970) 491-4860 with questions.
Diplomas
- Mailed by the Register’s Office to the address provided on your student record approximately eight weeks after the end of the semester.
- For questions regarding diplomas, certified copies, notarizations or diploma covers, please email the [email protected] or call (970) 491-48