For students planning to graduate this Spring 2026 semester, follow the steps below.
- Apply to graduate. by March 20, 2026.
- Rent your cap and gown. by May 5, 2026
- Request your warrant. by April 15, 2026. Please submit it to the online form.
- Follow the Graduate School’s Guides for Completing Degrees:
Master’s degree deadline is May 19, 2026. - Attend department graduation celebration on May 8, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
- Attend commencement (May 19, 2026). Click here for more information
- Confirm your diploma address. View the step-by-step instructions on viewing/editing your addresses.
- (optional) If you need documentation of your degree before you receive your diploma, request a Degree Completion Letter. Be sure to follow the instructions for graduate students.
This section is only for International students
Change of Level
If you have been admitted to a Ph.D. program at UW-Madison, you will need to submit a Change of Level request through Terra Dotta to update your I20 from Master’s program to the Doctoral program. You can submit your request as early as you are admitted. ISS office will wait until your finish your master’s degree, early May, to process your request and issue you a new I20 with new program information.
More information about Change of Level is available here .
Transfer Out SEVIS
If you have been admitted to another university in the U.S., you will need to transfer your SEVIS ID to your new school. Please follow the instructions provided by ISS to complete the process.
Optional Practical Training(OPT)
If you are considering looking for jobs or you have secured a job opportunity in the U.S., you need to apply for Optional Practical Training(OPT) to be able to work in the U.S. More information on OPT is available on the ISS website.