Log into GRADFORMS using your OSU username and password.
The application to graduate form is required for all graduate students to notify your academic program and the Graduate School of your intent to graduate. Submission initiates the review process to confirm that all degree requirements are satisfied.
Important Notes:
- The application to graduate must be received by the Graduate School, having been approved by advisor and program, by the posted deadline. Consult the Graduate School Calendar for deadlines.
- Applications are only good for one semester.
- You must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 graduate credit hours in the semester or term you are selecting on the application to graduate
- Submission does not guarantee graduation—students must fulfill all academic and administrative requirements.
Submission Instructions:
Step 1: Log into GradForms at: gradforms.osu.edu
Step 2: Navigate to Forms-->Graduation/Examination
Step 3: Next to Application to Graduate, select "+Create new"
- At the top of the page, you will see “Student Information.” This section is for informational purposes only. Consult BuckeyeLink for the most up to date information about your academic record. Please review your advising report on Buckeyelink if the Missing Grades field is marked ‘Yes’ and work with your program office if you confirm there are missing grades on your record.
Step 4: Select the term in which you want to graduate. You have two options: Regular Graduation or End-of-Semester
- If your intention is to use the regular deadlines for graduation, then do NOT select the end-of-semester option. You can always switch to the end-of-semester if you end up not meeting the regular graduation deadlines. Only select end-of-semester if you know for sure that you will not complete degree requirements by the regular deadlines but will meet them by the posted end-of-semester deadline in order to graduate the following semester.
Step 5: Select the appropriate degree track/graduation level you are following: Doctoral (PhD), DMA, Edu Spec, Master’s - Candidacy, Master’s – Non-thesis, Master’s – Thesis, Master’s - Course based, Professional Doctorate.
Step 6: Select your graduation plan. Make sure you are selecting the graduate program that corresponds with the degree requirements you are completing.
- The degree will populate based on the graduation plan you selected.
Step 7: Complete the Commencement section and indicate how you would like to receive your diploma.
- If you authorize someone to pick up your diploma, put their full legal name in the space provided.
- If you want the diploma mailed to your permanent address, check the address that will come up after you select this option. If the address is not correct, go to your student center on BuckeyeLink and make the necessary corrections.
- Please review the commencement website for further details on attending and not attending commencement. The site is updated throughout the semester.
Step 8: In the Committee section, type in your advisor’s last name and wait for a drop-down menu to pop-up. Find your advisor’s name from the generated list and click on it. Repeat this process for your Co-Advisor (if applicable) and your Committee Members.
- If you have a committee member who is not part of the OSU Graduate Faculty, put that person’s name and e-mail address in the spaces provided under External Members, and click ‘Add.’ If you have more than one external member, repeat the process. External members do not count toward the required graduate faculty members for a valid committee. For each external member you must submit a Committee and Examination Petition on GRADFORMS explaining why you want this person on your committee.
Step 9: At this point you can ‘Save’ your application for further review and discussion, or you can click ‘Submit’ to initiate the approval process.
Approval Workflow:
- Once submitted, the application status is changed to Initial Review and is sent to your advisor and graduate program for approval.
- Once approved by advisor and program, the application status is changed to Graduate School Review and is sent to the Graduate school.
- Approval of your form only places your name on the graduation list and is not a guarantee that you are graduating.
- If once your application is received by the Graduate School, you discover you need to switch to the end-of-semester deadline, send an email to grad-schoolgraduationservices@osu.edu. Please include your full name, student ID#, your OSU email address, your graduate program/degree, and indicate you need to change to the end of semester deadline.
- After the graduate school approves, the application status is changed to Approved.
- Depending on your degree type/graduation level, a Report on Final Exam and/or a Report on Final Document will be generated immediately after approval.
- DMA and PHD students will need to file the Application for Final Examination. This form will need all committee members' approvals by the appropriate deadlines. The process of generating the Report on Final Examination and Report on Final Document will be initiated when the Application for Final Examination is approved by the graduate school
- The form will be marked Completed following commencement.
After Submission:
- You can track the form status on the Home page under Active Forms or using Search > Forms.
- Use the History tab to view the form’s approval timeline.
- Check the Comments tab for messages or updates from approvers.
- If an external member is involved, ensure your petition is approved before the form can be finalized.
GRADFORMS Support
GRADFORMS Help Page
Alternatively, you can reach out to:
The Ohio State University Graduate School
250 University Hall, 230 N Oval Mall, Columbus OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-6031 | Fax: 614-292-3656
Graduation Services Email: Grad-SchoolGraduationServices@osu.edu
Registration Services Email: Grad-SchoolRegistrationServices@osu.edu