How to Graduate
During the quarter in which you are completing your degree requirements, you should begin to plan for graduation. Start by e-mailing the division academic coordinator to indicate you intend to complete your degree that quarter. You must have all transfer work recorded on your transcript and any approved substitutions to your program noted on your degree checklist in your division student file.
If you have received federal financial aid while at OHSU, by law you must have a Financial Aid Exit Interview within 30 days of your last OHSU class. Contact OHSU's Financial Aid office at 503 494-7800, 800 775-5460 or finaide@ohsu.edu for more information.
Below are the steps necessary to apply for your degree. All steps apply for all students unless specifically noted. For questions about this process, contact the School of Medicine Graduate Studies office at somgrad@ohsu.edu or 503 494-6222.
- Application for Degree
During your final term, complete the Application for Degree form and submit it to the Registrar's office at the location listed at the top of the form. You may fax the form. It is your responsibility to ensure this form has been submitted. Since your name on the form will determine how your name is printed on your diploma and the commencement program your involvement in this process is important.
- Submit thesis/dissertation to the library -- M.S. thesis and Ph.D. students only
If you are completing a thesis/dissertation degree, visit then the DSE library thesis/dissertation web site and adhere to the guidelines found in the Thesis Style Guide. Within 6 months of successfully defending your thesis/dissertation, you must finish all corrections to your written thesis/dissertation and receive final approval from your committee. Following your committee's approval, your thesis/dissertation must be submitted to the DSE Library for review and approval before it is considered final. A minimum of one hard copy (printed on 100% cotton paper) and one electronic PDF copy must be submitted to the DSE library. Send the original Binding Receipt form, with library signature, to the School of Medicine Graduate Studies office at mailcode L-102 (intercampus mail); or Oregon Health & Science University, Mailcode L-102, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239; or a scanned copy to somgrad@ohsu.edu. No faxes please.
- Exit photo for class picture
The photo will be used in a class composite picture of all School of Medicine graduates for that year. The photo must be a portrait quality head shot. You may provide your own photo, e-mailed to somgrad@ohsu.edu, or have your photo taken by OHSU Medical Photography. There is a charge for this service. To use OHSU Medical Photography's services, complete the Exit Photo Request form and make an appointment with Medical Photography by calling 503-494-8040. Fax a copy of the Medical Photography services receipt to the School of Medicine Graduate Studies office at 503 494-3400.
- Exit Contact Information
Complete the REQUIRED Exit Contact Information form. Fax this form to the School of Medicine Graduate Studies office at 503 494-3400.
- Certificate of Approval -- M.S. thesis and Ph.D. students only
Once the Graduate Studies office has received the Binding Receipt form, your photo/medical photography services receipt, and Exit Contact Information form, the Associate Dean will sign final approval on your Oral Examination Certification form (submitted earlier by your committee chair following the passing of your defense) and forward the paperwork to the Registrar's office to award the degree.
- Survey of Earned Doctorates -- Ph.D. students only
All Ph.D. graduates must complete the online Survey of Earned Doctorates.