Milestones Overview
Graduate education is structured around important milestones that mark your progress toward earning your degree. These milestones serve as checkpoints to help you and your advisor stay on track, confirm you are meeting requirements, and prepare for graduation.
All graduate students must complete two university-wide milestones:
- Application for Admission to Candidacy
- Application for Graduation
Your program may have its own additional requirements, such as comprehensive exams, capstone projects, or professional portfolios. Always check your program handbook and meet with your advisor or program coordinator to make sure you are aware of every requirement.
If your program requires a thesis or dissertation, you will have additional milestones, such as forming a committee, completing a defense, and submitting your thesis or dissertation document. Visit the Thesis and Dissertation Milestones & Requirements page for a complete overview.
Deadlines for Graduate Student Milestones
| Graduation Term | Application for Admission to Candidacy | Application for Graduation |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | November 10, 2025 | January 16, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | March 3, 2026 | June 5, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | April 6, 2026 | August 28, 2026 |
Note: Always confirm deadlines with the official Boise State Academic Calendar.
1. Admission to Candidacy
What it is: Official recognition that you are ready to complete the final requirements of your degree.
When to do it: After you have completed at least 9 credits of graduate coursework and at least one semester before you plan to graduate. Most students submit this form around the halfway point of their program.
How to do it: Access and submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy form through the Graduate College Student Forms page.
Why it matters: This form confirms your approved program of study and ensures that the courses you have taken (and plan to take) meet both Graduate College and program requirements.
Tip: If you are enrolled in more than one program (such as a degree and a certificate), you must submit a separate candidacy form for each.
2. Applying to Graduate
What it is: A formal application to graduate in your intended semester.
When to do it: During the semester you plan to complete your degree, by the posted deadlines above.
How to do it: Apply to graduate through your myBoiseState Student Center. Access an overview of the process, a graduate checklist, and instructions for applying here: Graduation Process.
Why it matters: You must apply to graduate in order to have your degree conferred and to participate in Commencement.
Note: You will receive an email reminder to apply for graduation once your candidacy form has been approved.
Advising Through Your Milestones
Your official advisor (or program coordinator) will help guide you through these steps. They will:
- Help you map out your coursework timeline
- Confirm your program of study on your candidacy form
- Remind you about deadlines for applying to graduate
- Keep you aware of any program-specific requirements
Learn more on our What is Graduate Advising? page.
Key Takeaways
- All students must submit both the Application for Admission to Candidacy and the Application for Graduation.
- Programs may have additional requirements such as exams, capstones, or portfolios and your advisor or program coordinator can guide you through these.
- Thesis/dissertation students follow additional research and defense milestones. See the Thesis and Dissertation Milestones & Requirements page for details.
- Advisors help you stay on track. Check in with your advisor regularly to avoid surprises.