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  3. PhD Candidates Graduation Checkout Information

PhD Candidates Graduation Checkout Information

If you are a doctoral student planning to graduate in Spring 2024 (May 19, 2024) below is information about the academic process to Apply for Graduation and the required Graduation Checkout steps that you need to complete by the associated deadline. Commencement planning information will be sent to you later in the spring semester.

In addition to the January 29 and the March 11 deadlines listed below, please click here to download the additional graduation checkout requirements for doctoral students and associated deadlines. If you are planning to graduate in Spring 2024, please schedule your Thesis Defense to take place by April 26, 2024.

Deadline to complete the three items listed below is January 29, 2024

Enter Diploma Name in SIS

  1. Log in to SIS (go.tufts.edu/sis) and click "About Me" on the landing page and click the little pencil icon next to your name in order to enter your Diploma Name. You will be brought to your "list of names" in SIS and should see visible your Primary and Preferred Names. 
  2. Click the Add a New Name breadcrumb and on the Add a New Name page that will open select from the Name Type drop-down, "Diploma" and then enter how you would like your name published on your diploma and click Save. Note: If you enter a middle initial please be sure to include a period next to your middle initial so it is printed correctly on your Diploma. If you don't want your middle initial or middle name included, leave the middle name field blank.
  3. IMPORTANT: If you do not enter a name specifically saved as a Diploma Name type in SIS then your name will be listed as blank when the list of Diploma Names is sent to the publisher to print our diplomas.

Enter Diploma Address in SIS

  1. Log in to SIS (go.tufts.edu/sis) and click "About Me" on the landing page and click the little pencil icon next to your address in order to enter your Diploma Address. You will be brought to your "Addresses" in SIS and should see visible your Home, Current, Billing, etc. addesses. Click the "Add a New Address" button. 
  2. Enter the address where your Diploma can be sent via FedEx in mid-June 2024 and click Ok and follow the prompts. If the address is outside of the United States, click "Change Country" and select the country and then enter your addresss information. Also, you may not enter a P.O. Box with your address since FedEx does not deliver to a P.O. Box.
  3. IMPORTANT: You will be provided with the FedEx tracking number when your Diploma is sent in mid-June 2024 to the Diploma Address you entered in SIS.

Apply to Graduate in SIS

  1. Log in to SIS (go.tufts.edu/sis) and go to the top navigation bar and click the tab, Academics. Use the drop-down and select the option, Apply for Graduation. This will bring you to the Submit an Application for Graduation webpage and you will see your degree program listed, and to the right, click the breadcrumb titled, Appy for Graduation which will bring you to the Select Graduation Term webpage.
  2. Use the drop-down filter to select the term. If you expect all of your doctoral degree requirements will be completed in Spring 2024, please select the term, Spring 2024. If you're unsure, please note if you apply to graduate in Spring 2024 and need to change your application to Summer 2024, just email alexis.smith@tufts.edu to update your application in SIS.
  3. IMPORTANT: The "Walk" at Commencement is not an available option to PhD students if you do not complete all of your doctoral degree requirements in Spring 2024. Only if you complete all of your doctoral degree requirements in Spring 2024 are you eligible to graduate and be hooded at Spring 2024 Commenecment in May 2024 when your degree will be conferred. You will be eligible to participate (and be hooded) at Commencement in Spring 2025 if you complete your doctoral degree requirements in Summer 2024 or Fall 2024. If you have any questions, email Alexis.Smith@tufts.edu.

Deadline to complete the items listed below is March 11, 2024

Fill out your Friedman School Degree Requirements Worksheet and Obtain all Required Approvals 

  1. If you completed your MS degree at the Friedman School, you do not need to redo your Degree Requirements Worksheet. Click here if you did not complete your MS degree at the Friedman School to download your Friedman School Degree Requirements Worksheet for the class year that you started your Friedman School degree program (do not use the 2023-2024 version of your degree program's worksheet). Fill in the worksheet and include the semester you took the course listed and the final grade you received for the course and "E" for an approved Exemption from a course or requirement. Check that your transcript lists all of your exemptions and if not, please complete the Exemption Petition and submit to alexis.smith@tufts.edu.
  2. Obtain approval of the "Intent to Graduate" section on your Degree Requirement Worksheet from your Thesis Chair (hand signature or e-signature, or email approval are all accepted) and submit your completed Degree Requirement Worksheet by March 11, 2024 to alexis.smith@tufts.edu. 

CITI Coursework Requirements Report PDF that indicates the Expiration Date and Reported Score

  1. Your Training in Protection of Human Subjects (CITI) Certification must be within the last four years in your graduating semester. Please email alexis.smith@tufts.edu your CITI Coursework Requirements Report PDF that indicates the Expiration Date and Reported Score (not the cover page) so this fulfilled degree requirement may be added to your academic record in SIS and the documentation can be filed in your student file folder. 
    • All BMN and NEDS doctoral students must complete the Biomedical Research Group CITI modules.
    • All AFE, FANPP, and NICBC doctoral students must complete the Social Behavioral Educational Researchers Group CITI modules.
  2. For detailed instructions and any questions, click here to review or contact the Tufts University Institutional Review Board (IRB) - CITI Instructions.

Complete the Required Exit Survey from Dean of Educational Affairs, Dr. Tim Griffin, Upon Email Receipt

  • Dean of Educational Affairs, Dr. Tim Griffin, will distribute via email the Exit Survey to Spring 2024 graduating students in April 2024; please complete upon receipt.

After I Graduate, What Happens to My Email, Box and Canvas Access, etc., and How Do I Stay Connected?

Share With Us!

All graduating students are invited to share their Directed Study Courses, Self-Designed Specialization Topics, and Cross-Registered Courses (and comments) through the online Qualtrics forms below—leave a little bit of your legacy behind for Friedman School students following in your footsteps as they navigate toward graduation too!