Key Dates and Deadlines

November 2025 Degree Conferral

March 20

Degree applications open.

Candidates can Apply to Graduate in my.harvard starting today.

July 31

Spring term health coverage ends. BCBS Health plan waiver application due for students who aren't sure they'll meet dissertation submission deadlines.

Aug 1

Degree applications due.

Deadline to Apply to Graduate in my.harvard must be completed by 11:59pm.

Sept 2

If the dissertation is submitted by this date, student's tuition and health fees for fall term will be removed from the student account and registration will be cancelled. Cancellation of health insurance coverage is retroactive to July 31, the student will be billed for any medical costs incurred during this period (August 1-September 3). There will be no coverage for fall term.

Approved Dissertations must be submitted to ProQuest ETD.

PhD candidates should upload to the HU ProQuest ETD site. All students should email a PDF file of the complete dissertation to HBS Doctoral Programs Office.

Sept 3

If the dissertation is submitted on this date, fall tuition will be removed but the Student Health Fee and the Student Health Insurance Plan will not be cancelled. The student will be covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan from August 1 through January 31, 2023.

Approved Dissertations must be submitted to ProQuest ETD

PhD candidates should upload to the HU ProQuest ETD site. All students should email a PDF file of the complete dissertation to HBS Doctoral Programs Office.

Nov 12

November degrees awarded

Please note diplomas may be held for pickup or mailed for a fee after degrees are awarded.

February 2026 Degree Conferral

Oct 1

Degree applications open

Candidates can Apply to Graduate in my.harvard starting today.

Dec 1

Degree applications due

Deadline to Apply to Graduate in my.harvard must be completed by 11:59pm.

Jan 13

Approved Dissertations must be submitted to ProQuest ETD

PhD candidates should upload to the HU ProQuest ETD site. All students should email a PDF file of the complete dissertation to HBS Doctoral Programs Office.

Feb 10

February degrees awarded

Please note diplomas may be held for pickup or mailed for a fee after degrees are awarded.

May 2026 Degree Conferral

Feb 11

Degree applications open

Candidates can Apply to Graduate in my.harvard starting today.

March 18

Degree applications due

Deadline to Apply to Graduate in my.harvard must be completed by 11:59pm.

May 13

Approved Dissertations must be submitted to ProQuest ETD

PhD candidates should upload to the HU ProQuest ETD site. All students should email a PDF file of the complete dissertation to HBS Doctoral Programs Office.

May 28

May degrees awarded

Please note diplomas may be held for pickup or mailed for a fee after degrees are awarded.