Current Doctoral Students
Welcome doctoral students! Here you'll find links, resources, forms, deadlines, and program manuals.
The resources below outline the policies, procedures, and support available to graduate students throughout their academic program.
Graduate School FAQs
The Graduate School maintains a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions page covering topics related to graduate education, including grading options, funding, student support, and other common concerns.
Graduate School FAQs: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/faqs
Graduate Manual
The Graduate Manual serves as the primary guide for doctoral students and faculty. It provides important information about program requirements, policies, and procedures, including:
- Program milestones
- Core course requirements
- Master's degree requirements
- Ph.D. requirements
- Financial support
- Professional organizations and psychology associations
- Department policies and procedures
Students should also review the department's Grievance Policy and Procedure.
Graduate Student Mentorship Policy
The department's Graduate Student Mentorship Policy outlines our shared commitment to providing meaningful mentorship and advising throughout graduate training. The policy reflects the department's core values and establishes an accountability framework to ensure students receive the guidance and resources needed to succeed.
The policy also includes the Second Mentor Policy (see page 4). In addition to their primary research advisor, all Ph.D. students are encouraged to identify a second mentor. This individual serves as an additional source of guidance and support on topics such as navigating graduate school, professional development, and broader academic or career planning. The second mentor is not intended to replace the primary research advisor or serve as a research collaborator.
Interim Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
The department has adopted an Interim AI policy for graduate students. Individual program areas will develop their own AI policies for comprehensive examinations; otherwise, the interim policy applies across all graduate programs.
Graduate School Policies and Deadlines
In addition to departmental policies, students are responsible for following all Graduate School policies and procedures outlined in the Graduate Catalog.
Students are also responsible for meeting Graduate School deadlines. Each year, the Graduate School publishes a schedule of important academic dates, deadlines, and registration information.
For course offerings and registration information, please visit the Schedule of Classes.
The Graduate School Catalog is the official listing of the policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland, College Park.
This Catalog documents policies and procedures set by the Graduate Council and the Graduate School, and is updated each academic semester to reflect changes and updates to policy. Information on admissions policies, academic policies (including degree requirements), registration policies, and financial aid and student support policies are contained in the Catalog. Abstracts and information on academic degree and certificate programs, a list of graduate-level courses by program, and a roster of graduate faculty members are also included in each edition of the Catalog.
The University of Maryland, the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, originated in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College and became one of the country's first land-grant institutions in 1867. The state assumed authority over the College in 1920 and formed the University of Maryland by joining the College with long-established professional schools in Baltimore. In 1988, the General Assembly of Maryland designated the College Park campus as the flagship institution for the University System of Maryland, which comprises 13 institutions across the state. The College Park campus is built around a central mall, anchored by McKeldin Library and the Main Administration Building. Fanning out from the mall are thirteen academic colleges. The University's mission is to provide graduate and undergraduate education of the highest quality, to pursue advanced research, and to serve the needs of the State of Maryland.
The University of Maryland and its surrounding area provide boundless opportunities for conducting research. The University's dynamic research environment allows students from all disciplines to undertake scholarly exploration of their special interests and to gain valuable practical experience. It also enables faculty members to advance their own areas of expertise and bring their research insights into the classroom. On campus, special facilities and a number of organized research centers, bureaus, and institutes promote the acquisition and analysis of new knowledge in the arts, sciences, and applied fields.
- When registering for PSYC799, 898, and 899, please be sure to register under your advisor's section number as indicated here. Please note that section numbers are different from the fall/spring semesters to the winter/summer terms.
- For a current listing of what courses are being taught this semester, you may view here the Schedule of Classes
- View here the current Tuition and Fees
- Continuous registration is required each semester (including the summer session if you are advising with your adviser, using University facilities, or graduating in August). If newly admitted, register in the semester of admission in order to validate your admission. Registration is required in the semester of graduation, including one of the summer terms if graduating in August.
- Graduate students from other departments wanting to register for PSYC courses will need permission from the Department of Psychology. To do so, you will need to email the instructor asking for permission and forward that email to PsycPhD@umd.edu for your registration block to be lifted.
- For current graduate students, please be sure to fill out the Schedule Request form, have your advisor approve of your course selection, and have him/her forward the Schedule Request form to PsycPhD@umd.edu for your registration block to be lifted.
- Once your registration blocks have been lifted, you may proceed in registering yourself via Testudo under Register and Enroll.
All forms must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office, c/o Archie Tablada, for departmental processing and approval by the Director. Once processed, the Graduate Studies Office will forward the forms to their final destination. To allow sufficient time for processing, students planning to graduate in a given semester must submit all forms to Archie Tablada at least one week before the deadlines established by the Graduate School.
Please review the Important Graduation Deadlines for Spring, Summer, and Fall graduation. If you have questions about the required forms, procedures, or policies, or would like a personalized checklist of your completed forms and submissions, please contact Archie Tablada at atablada@umd.edu
Departmental Graduate Forms
Graduate Student Schedule Request
Must be approved by advisor and sent to PsycPhD@umd.edu every semester before blocks are lifted.
Change of Advisor form
Must be signed by new and former advisor.
Graduate Assistant Statement of Mutual Expectations (SME) Forms
AA: Administrative Assistants
RA: Research Assistants
TA: Teaching Assistants
Instructors of Record who Report to a Supervisor
Forms Required for the M.S. Degree on the Way to the Ph.D.
- Year 1 Outcome Assessment of 1st-Year Review
Must be completed by your advisor at the end of your first year. - Thesis Proposal Form
Must be submitted immediately after your thesis proposal defense. - Application for Graduation
Apply during the semester in which you anticipate graduating or defending your thesis. - Master's Approved Program Form
Required coursework for the M.S. degree includes 6 credits of 799, PSYC 601, PSYC 602, and a third quantitative course. The total number of credits must be at least 30 credits. The PSYC Graduate Office will complete this form on your behalf by the applicable deadline. - Nomination of Thesis Committee Form
Upon approval of this form, you will receive an email from the Graduate Office with additional forms and information, including the Report of Examining Committee package and procedures that must be completed before your final thesis defense. - Nomination of Faculty Outside the University or Graduate Faculty
If you would like a faculty member who is not affiliated with the University of Maryland or is not a member of the Graduate Faculty to serve on your committee, you must nominate them by completing the following forms:- Nomination to Graduate Faculty Form
- Personal Information Form
- A current CV
- A letter of support
The letter can be written by the chair of your committee (most likely your advisor). It should describe how this faculty's expertise, experience, and credentials align with the department's guidelines for advising and/or teaching graduate students. While much of this information will be reflected in the CV, the letter is an opportunity to highlight any additional qualifications or unique contributions they bring, particularly those that complement or expand the expertise currently represented within our faculty.
- Thesis/Dissertation Embargo Request
Must be submitted along with the Report of Examining Committee form and Interim Report Form (outcome/result of the defense) - Submit Approved Thesis
Submit your approved thesis online by the semester graduation deadline through DRUM/ProQuest. See the formatting templates below. - Year 2 Outcome Assessment of Research Competency
Must be completed by your advisor and committee members after your thesis defense.
Thesis and Dissertation Templates and Formatting Guidelines
- Templates and Formatting Guidelines for Thesis and Dissertation
- Template Instructions
- Full Template for Dissertations
- Lite Template for Dissertations
- Full Template for Theses
- Lite Template for Theses
Forms Required for the Ph.D. Degree
- Certificate of Research Competence
This form is required in lieu of successfully defending a master's thesis. - Comprehensive Exam Result Form or TIE Project (CLIN students)
Must be submitted after completing the TIE Project or successfully passing the comprehensive exams. Completion of this requirement makes you eligible to apply for admission to candidacy. - Year 3 Outcome Assessment of Comprehensive Exam
Must be completed by your advisor and committee members after you pass your comprehensive exams or completed your TIE Project. - Application for Admission to Candidacy
You are eligible to apply for admission to candidacy after successfully passing your comprehensive exams or completing the TIE Project. Once you advance to candidacy, PSYC 899 will be added to your course schedule based on the date of advancement and will continue to be required each semester until all degree requirements have been completed and you graduate. - Dissertation Proposal Form
Must be submitted immediately after your dissertation proposal defense. - Year 4 Outcome Assessment of Dissertation Proposal
Must be completed by your advisor and committee members after you successfully propose your dissertation. - Application for Graduation
Apply during the semester in which you anticipate graduating or defending your dissertation. - Nomination of Dissertation Committee Form
Upon approval of this form, you will receive an email from the Graduate Office with additional forms and information, including the Report of Examining Committee package and procedures that must be completed before your final dissertation defense. - Nomination of Faculty Outside the University or Graduate Faculty
If you would like a faculty member who is not affiliated with the University of Maryland or is not a member of the Graduate Faculty to serve on your committee, you must nominate them by completing the following forms:- Nomination to Graduate Faculty Form
- Personal Information Form
- A current CV
- A letter of support
The letter can be written by the chair of your committee (most likely your advisor). It should describe how this faculty's expertise, experience, and credentials align with the department's guidelines for advising and/or teaching graduate students. While much of this information will be reflected in the CV, the letter is an opportunity to highlight any additional qualifications or unique contributions they bring, particularly those that complement or expand the expertise currently represented within our faculty.
- Oral Defense Announcement
Must be submitted at least two weeks before the oral defense. - Thesis/Dissertation Embargo Request
Must be submitted along with the Report of Examining Committee form. - Year 5 Outcome Assessment of Dissertation Defense
Must be completed by your advisor and committee members after successfully defending your dissertation. - Submit Approved Dissertation
Submit your approved dissertation online by the semester graduation deadline through DRUM/ProQuest. See the formatting templates above. - Internship Completion Form
Required upon completion of the internship for CLIN and COUN students only. - Graduation Surveys
Required for all UMD doctoral students.
Petitions, Requests, and Waivers
https://gradschool.umd.edu/forms
Other General Forms
Immunization Record Form (Required for all graduate students upon admission)
Parental Accommodation Application
Graduate Assistant Statement of Mutual Expectations (see Google Doc version here)
Most of the following forms are PDF files and may require you to download and install the latest version of Adobe’s (free) Acrobat Reader. If you are having technical difficulties, please contact the OIT Help Desk.
All other graduate forms can be found on the Graduate School website.
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Important information for your special day is available here and below.
Regalia
For those of you graduating and or attending/walking at our May 22 commencement ceremony, regalia must be worn. You have the option to purchase or rent regalia online or in person at the UMD Bookstore. Information on where and how to order will be updated here.
All Ph.D. regalia rental requests must be submitted by the deadline (April 12, 2026)*. They will not be taking any late rental submissions.
All rental gowns must be returned by the deadline to avoid a non-refundable $500 replacement fee. Rental gowns will be available for pick-up approximately one week before the event.
* Doctoral Candidates who are undecided or pending defense are strongly encouraged to request a rental gown before the deadline. Payment is deferred until rental regalia is picked up.
Ordering Deadline: March 12, 2026 (See pricing and details here)
Rental Request Deadline: April 12, 2026 (See pricing and details here)
Rental Due Back Date: One week after commencement ($500 Non-Return Fee)
Campus-Wide Ceremony
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 / time TBA / SECU Stadium
The University of Maryland will hold its Spring 2026 Commencement on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 graduates at SECU Stadium.
Additional information regarding the campus-wide ceremony, tickets, regalia, and safety measures will be added to commencement.umd.edu as it becomes available.
BSOS College Ceremonies
Friday, May 22, 2026 / Ceremony #1, 9 a.m. / Xfinity Center
In addition to the campus-wide ceremony, BSOS and the other colleges and schools will hold ceremonies. BSOS college ceremonies for August 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 graduates will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026. This year, PSYC Graduates will attend the first ceremony, at 9 AM. We estimate approximately 700-800 graduates per ceremony, based on the number of graduates and pre-pandemic attendance rates.
Live Streams
Live streaming will be available for both ceremonies. Please check this page closer to the day of the ceremonies for links to watch live.