About the Handbook

The Graduate College Handbook contains policies applicable to the graduate community at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This handbook is current for the 2026-2027 academic year. A full printable page is also available. Handbooks from previous years can be accessed in our archives. 

Preface

Graduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are enrolled in the Graduate College. With oversight over graduate programs in more than 100 disciplinary areas, the Graduate College fosters a vibrant campus community of scholars. The Graduate College awards doctoral degrees, master’s degrees, Certificates of Advanced Study, Artist’s Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates. The Graduate College does not award the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, the Medical Doctor (MD) degree, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

Part A of this handbook covers academic policies and requirements pertaining to graduate students. All graduate students must follow Graduate College policies. Individual graduate programs may have additional policies specific to their students. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves with policies in their departmental handbook as well as those outlined here. Additionally, graduate students must also be aware of campus and university policies as well as state laws that could impact graduate students but are not under the jurisdiction or authority of the Graduate College.

Part B of this handbook contains the administrative policy for program, units and staff. Unlike the student section of the handbook this section may be updated at any time during the year, and becomes effective immediately, unless otherwise noted. The Graduate College reviews all new and revised courses that carry graduate credit as well as graduate programs that lead to a graduate-level credential, as part of its statutory function to “develop and safeguard standards of graduate work.” This section will be archived annually, but faculty and staff should always use the current version when seeking administrative policy.

The Graduate College works closely with individual graduate students, faculty, and staff to provide support at all stages of graduate education from admissions through thesis deposit and degree certification. More information about the Graduate College is online at www.grad.illinois.edu.

Terms Used Throughout this Handbook

• “department” or “unit” may refer to a program, school, institute, or similar type of academic unit
• “fellowships” and “fellows” include traineeships and trainees except where specified
• “students” refers to graduate students
• “term” and “semester” are used interchangeably
• “thesis” may refer to a thesis or a dissertation 

Recent Changes to Graduate College Policy

The changes outlined below begin with the 2026-2027 academic year. Previous versions of the handbook are available on the Graduate College website.