The Master's Degree program requires a thesis and is an integrated program of coursework and research during which the student learns the fundamental principles and practices of conducting research in a specialized area of the discipline. The following "Timeline for Master's Students" provides quick reference to the required steps and necessary forms leading to the completion of the degree, as well as guidance on the expected rate of progress. The steps in the timeline are discussed in greater detail in other sections of this site (via the navigation bar on the left).

1. By End of Second Quarter (usually Winter Quarter of First Year)

FORMING YOUR COMMITTEE: To establish your M S Supervisory Committee, get the Request to Establish MS Supervisory Committee form, fill it out (including the Use of Human and Animal Subjects page), have the members of your proposed Committee sign it, attach a brief outline of your research proposal, and return it to the Student Services Office. (Email approvals from Committee members are acceptable, in lieu of actual signatures on the form. Please print and attach any email approvals to the form before submitting it.) Prior to forming your Committee, you are strongly encouraged to email the names and affiliations of your proposed Committee members to the SAFS Graduate Advisor so compliance with the UW Graduate School and SAFS requirements can be verified. MS Supervisory Committees must have at least three, but no more than four, members. Two must be members of the SAFS faculty, and at least half of the total Committee must be members of the UW Graduate Faculty.

2. Within 2 weeks of Committee Formation

FIRST COMMITTEE MEETING and PLAN OF STUDY: To properly document your first M S Supervisory Committee meeting, get the Plan of Study Toward the MS Degree form and fill it out as best you can prior to the meeting (in consultation with your Major Professor). Then, obtain the signatures of all Committee members at the first meeting and return the completed form to the SAFS Student Services Office. This form outlines the courses you will be required to complete before graduation , recommended (i.e., not required) courses suggested by your committee, and your estimated thesis proposal date. (Email approvals from Committee members are acceptable, in lieu of actual signatures on the form. Please print and attach any email approvals to the form before submitting it.)

3. By end of Fourth Quarter (usually Autumn Quarter of Second Year)

THESIS PROPOSAL: To properly document that your M S Thesis Proposal has been read and approved by members of your Supervisory Committee, obtain the Master of Science Thesis Proposal form, fill it out, have your committee members sign it, attach a final revised copy of your Thesis Proposal, and submit everything to the SAFS Student Services Office. (Email approvals from Committee members are acceptable, in lieu of actual signatures on the form. Please print and attach any email approvals to the form before submitting it.)

4. Within 2 weeks after start of final Graduation Quarter (usually in Third Year)

MASTER’S DEGREE REQUEST: To notify the UW Graduate School of your intention to defend and graduate, submit a Master's Degree Request online as soon as possible after the first day of your graduation quarter. If you defend but do not submit your thesis in the same quarter, you must submit another Master's Degree Request in the quarter during which you submit your thesis. Please note the relevant deadlines indicated on the Graduate School webpage.

5. Last Five Weeks of Quarter of Graduation

FINAL EXAMINATION: Thesis defenses, i.e., “Final Examinations,” can be taken only during quarters in which you are registered for at least 2 credits and must be completed by the last day of the quarter (i.e., by the last day of the Final Examination Week). To schedule your thesis defense, get the Request for M S Final Examination form, fill it out, have your committee members sign, and return it to the SAFS Student Services Office at least two weeks prior to your defense. (Please note that this hardcopy form is required in addition to the online form submitted in Step 4 above.) Email approvals are acceptable, in lieu of actual signatures on the form, if the Committee member approves of the date, time, and location of your defense in her/his email. Print and attach any email approvals to the form before submitting it to the SAFS Student Services Office.

The Final Exam and thesis submission must be completed within six years of beginning the MS program. The SAFS Student Services Office should be informed of your Final Exam date at least two weeks ahead of time, but you are strongly encouraged to check in with the SAFS Graduate Advisor at least a quarter in advance to ensure that all degree requirements will be satisfied. The SAFS Front Desk or Graduate Advisor can assist with scheduling a room for your defense after you and your Committee agree to a date and time.

THESIS SUBMISSION: Your thesis must be submitted to the UW Graduate School before 5:00pm on the last day of the Final Examination Week. If you defend but do not submit within the same quarter, you may submit your thesis at any time during a subsequent quarter, which becomes your official graduation quarter. Note that a new Master's Degree Request must be submitted if you do not defend and submit in the same quarter, but you will not be required to defend again after passing your Final Examination in a prior quarter. Enrollment in at least 2 credits is required when you submit your thesis, except when the Graduate Registration Waiver Fee is applicable (see below).

Please refer to the Graduate School’s Thesis/Dissertation Checklist for more information about formatting and submitting your thesis.

GRADUATE REGISTRATION WAIVER FEE: If you submit your thesis within 14 days after the last day of the quarter in which you defended, enrollment in 2 credits is not required. But, you must meet the Graduate Registration Waiver Fee eligibility requirements and pay the applicable fee. Otherwise, enrollment in at least 2 credits is required when you submit your thesis.

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