Graduation

The semester prior to the term in which you expect to complete your dissertation, you need to file for graduation. The following information will assist you in this process. The University of Southern California will not automatically issue a diploma once your dissertation is accepted by the USC Thesis Editor.

USC Records
SPPD Petitions
Degree Progress
Dissertation Final Typing Card
Dissertation Review
Submission Deadlines
Degrees and Diplomas

USC Records
To assist you in completing the application for DPA degree you will need to have access to your official USC records. You may obtain the list of courses you took from your official records through OASIS.

SPPD Petitions
Attach copies of approved School of Policy, Planning, and Development (or School of Public Administration) petitions to the graduation application. For example, petitions are required in the following instances:

• Many DPA students take classes before a formal offer of admission is granted by USC. If you have taken more than 12 units prior to a formal offer of admission, you need to formally request these units be applied to your degree.
• USC requires that transfer work be no more than 10 years old at the time of admission. If you have received approval to apply transfer work to the DPA that is more than 10 years old, attach a copy of that approval to the application.
• USC requires DPA students to complete their degree within eight years from the time of admission. If you have received approval to go beyond the eight years, please attach a copy of that approval to the application.
• USC requires that DPA students take at least 28 units of 600 level or higher coursework, of which eight units of which can be PUAD 790 course work and excluding PUAD 794 course work. If you have received approval to take less than 28 units of 600 level or higher, attach a copy of that approval.

Degree Progress
Once USC receives this form, you will be able to view the progression of your graduation on OASIS by clicking on Degree Progress Summary Report. Monitor it regularly and report any discrepancies between USC's records and your own.

Dissertation Final Typing Card
At least seven weeks before the scheduled date of your dissertation defense, submit the "Approval of DPA Dissertation Final Typing" card signed by all members of your dissertation committee with the Degree Progress Department.

Dissertation Review
After your dissertation defense and at least two weeks prior to the end of the semester in which your degree is to be conferred, submit the following to the Office of the Thesis Editor for review and determination of acceptance:

• the original typewritten copy of the final draft of your dissertation
• an abstract signed by the committee chair,
• signature page and triple card signed by all members of your dissertation committee

The Thesis Editor requires at least ten days to review the dissertation so allow sufficient time in case corrections are needed. Approval from the Thesis Editor is required before the degree can be approved.

Submission Deadlines
Dissertation submission deadlines for the upcoming year are:

• Spring 2004 Graduation: April 2, 2004
• Summer 2004 Graduation: July 1, 2004
• Fall 2004 Graduation: November 1, 2004

Degrees and Diplomas
Degrees are granted and diplomas are initiated and dated at the conclusion of the Spring, Summer and Fall terms.