Master of Science in Architecture Studies (SMArchS) Thesis Deadlines

Theses Deadlines for February 2026 Degree Candidates)

Friday, February 7, 2025: Spring Registration Day (3rd/Penultimate Term)Deadline for Dual Degree students to submit Dual Degree petition to institute.E/signed OGE General Petition due via DocuSign to Kateri
Exact paperwork must be included to be submitted.
Friday, March 7, 2025: Spring Add Date (3rd/Penultimate Term)Deadline to Submit Thesis Committee Members: Email Kateri with names, roles, and email addresses of Thesis Committee members*You and your committee will then be sent a DocuSign version of the Thesis Proposal Form to fill in and collect esignatures
*Each DocuSign form must be generated separately and cannot be created until all email addresses are collected
*You will have a registration hold until your DocuSign is fully signed by your committee, so PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMMITTEE INFORMATION EARLY!
Week 14: Thursday, May 15, 2025 (3rd/Penultimate Term)Thesis Proposal Review*Scheduled by department
*Held concurrent to graduating SMArchS Final Reviews
Friday, September 5, 2025*Register for 4.THG, 36 units
*Apply for Feb degree list: see applying for a degree on WebSIS
*If doing a joint thesis, submit an OGE General Petition to Kateri including a statement of contribution from each writer (see Joint Thesis for details)
Week 7: October 14–17, 2025Discipline Area Reviews*Scheduled by each discipline area
Week 7 of term: International Students Only:Earliest date to begin OPT authorization processIt is important to plan ahead as processing times for F-1 Post-Completion OPT, by application with USCIS, can take on average 90 days for USCIS to process.  J-1 Academic Training requires that a student secure a training position/job that begins within 30 days of degree completion in order to apply for AT authorization.
Week 11: November 10–14, 2025Thesis Defense Reviews*Scheduled by each thesis student with thesis committee
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 9amThesis Review space needs requests due via Google FormSubmit your space needs/any additional information (please use the comments box to tell us what we still need to know!) about your review.
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 9amCommittee & student conflicts due for 12/11email to Tessa
Tuesday, December 2, 2025December 11 Schedule Draft Released
TBASTOA support timesMeet in your assigned presentation space with STOA
Thursday, December 11, 2025Final Thesis Reviews*Scheduled by department
*Held concurrent to May SMArchS degree candidate Thesis Proposal Reviews
Friday, December 12, 2025Last day to update thesis title in degree application on WebSISIf your thesis title has changed since you first applied for the February degree list in September, please ensure you revisit the degree list & update it. It must match EXACTLY your final title.
TBAThesis Book Formatting ZoomReviewing Formatting, go over any updates from the Library, answer any and all Q&A, go over available templates, etc.
Thesis Book Formatting Review Session/Q&A

We will use this time to go over the important thesis formatting required for publication by the library. This is always the final step that your book must pass to be accepted by the department and be cleared for graduation.

You will not be approved on the degree list without your thesis book meeting library publication standards.

To make this session productive, please upload your front matter (title page, committee page, and abstract page) via the Airtable form, here (Fall 2025 Airtable form).

Templates for all frontmatter pages, along with the main body, are available on this website, here: https://archthesis.mit.edu/templates/

TBA, December 2025Photography Documentation w/Professional PhotographerArrive 15 min early for your assigned session. Please clean and assemble your model (including the base) outside of the space before your enter the room using the brushes provided. A single speck of dust can trigger the sensors and ruin your and your colleagues photos, so please be diligent. Questions: arch-comm@mit.edu
Monday, January 5, 2026 by 9amFront matter for thesis book due to Thesis PortalThesis Submissions Portal
Front matter includes (in this order!): Title page, committee page, abstract page, acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables (if needed), bibliography
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 by 9amFULL & COMPLETE BOOK DUE, NO EXCEPTIONSThesis Submissions Portal
NO Filler, Signed Signature page included, don’t make us chase you for a complete book please.
Friday, January 16, 2026 by 5pmStaff deadline to Approve Graduates on the February Degree ListIf a thesis is not approved by both thesis advisor and the Department this point, the student will not be approved for the February degree list.

(To be approved by the dept for the list, we must have a final grade submitted and your full book must clear formatting standards/be approved by the dept)
Monday, February 23, 2026February 2026 Degree Conferral DateDigital diplomas issued, print diplomas mailed later
Submitting your thesis book

When accessing the Thesis Submission Portal, please be sure you are choosing the “Single Sign On” option for Airtable, and then using your MIT email address for logging in.

Your final thesis book must be reviewed and approved by your thesis advisor(s) (not your reader) before you submit the full book to the department. Include the signature page with your full book submission. The signature page can be found on the Formatting/Specs/Submission page.

Your front matter, and then the full book will be reviewed by Architecture Student Services Staff for the purpose of making certain the document is in compliance with MIT archive requirements. You will be contacted quickly if adjustments are needed. Please do not email separately.

All theses must be cleared by each department (multiple departments for dual degrees) and submitted to the Institute.

Dual degree candidates must abide by their home department’s deadlines and protocols (for example, Architecture cannot accept digital copies of the thesis with signatures).

TBD, likely Wednesday, May 27, 2026 4–6pmDept End of Year Celebration/Awards PartyTBA location, likely Walker Lawn
Thursday, May 28, 2026SA+P Advanced Degree Ceremony in Kresge Auditorium
Spring 2026 Thesis Degree Conferral Date
OneMIT Graduate Degree Ceremony on Killian Court
More details for degree ceremonies will be avaliable here: https://commencement.mit.edu/

Theses Deadlines for May 2026 Degree Candidates

Tuesday, September 2, 2025: Fall Registration Day (3rd/Penultimate Term)Deadline for Dual Degree students to submit Dual Degree petition to institute.E/signed OGE General Petition due via DocuSign to Kateri
Exact paperwork must be included to be submitted.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025: (3rd/Penultimate Term)Deadline to Submit Thesis Committee Members: Email Kateri with names, roles, and email addresses of Thesis Committee members*You and your committee will then be sent a DocuSign version of the Thesis Proposal Form to fill in and collect esignatures
*Each DocuSign form must be generated separately and cannot be created until all email addresses are collected
*You will have a registration hold until your DocuSign is fully signed by your committee, so PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMMITTEE INFORMATION EARLY!
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 9amThesis Proposal Review space needs requests due via Google FormSubmit your space needs/any additional information (please use the comments box to tell us what we still need to know!) about your review.
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 9amCommittee & student conflicts due for 12/11email to Tessa
Tuesday, December 2, 2025December 11 Schedule Draft Released
TBASTOA support timesMeet in your assigned presentation space with STOA for Tech dry run
Monday, December 1, 2025 (3rd/Penultimate Term)*Pre-register for 4.THG, 36 units
*Apply for Feb degree list: see applying for a degree on websis
For Spring 2026 Term
Apply for the May Degree List
Thursday, December 11, 2025 (3rd/Penultimate Term)Thesis Proposal Reviews*Scheduled by department
*Held concurrent to February SMArchS degree candidate Final Thesis Reviews
Friday, February 6, 2026 (Spring Term, Final Term)Registration Deadline

Final Deadline
for Joint Thesis Petition
Ensure you’re registered for 36 units of 4.THG & have applied for the May degree list
See additional information here for Joint Thesis
Week 2 of term: International Students Only: February 9–13, 2026Earliest date to begin OPT authorization processIt is important to plan ahead as processing times for F-1 Post-Completion OPT, by application with USCIS, can take on average 90 days for USCIS to process.  J-1 Academic Training requires that a student secure a training position/job that begins within 30 days of degree completion in order to apply for AT authorization.
Week 7: March 16–20, 2026Discipline Area Reviews
*Scheduled by each discipline area
TBA (early April, 2026)
Committee & student conflicts due for 5/13
email to Tessa
TBA (early/mid April, 2026)Thesis Review space needs requests due via GoogleFormSubmit your space needs/any additional information (please use the comments box to tell us what we still need to know!) about your review.
Friday, April 10, 2026Last day to update thesis title in degree application on WebSISIf your thesis title has changed since you first applied for the February degree list in September, please ensure you revisit the degree list & update it. It must match EXACTLY your final title.
TBA, mid AprilThesis Book Formatting Review Session/Q&Avia Zoom
Week 11: April 21–24, 2026Thesis Defense ReviewsScheduled by student with committee members
TBA5/13 Schedule Draft released
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Submit digital information (abstract) and images for Pamphlet by 9amDue to Dropbox folder (will be emailed) by Comms Team. Please follow instructions and do not be late!
Monday, April 27, 2026Thesis Front Matter Due by 9amThesis Submission Portal
Front matter includes (in this order!): Title page, committee page, abstract page, acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables (if needed), bibliography
Monday, April 27, 2026Review pamphlet proof by NOONSubmit any TYPOS ONLY to Comms team for updates. Please do NOT submit updates to images or content.
We are up against a deadline to get the book to CopyTech for printing.
Thesis Book Formatting Review Session/Q&A

We will use this time to go over the important thesis formatting required for publication by the library. This is always the final step that your book must pass to be accepted by the department and be cleared for graduation.


You will not be approved on the degree list without your thesis book meeting library publication standards.


To make this session productive, please upload your front matter (title page, committee page, and abstract page) via the Airtable form, here (Spring 2026 Airtable form).


Templates for all frontmatter pages, along with the main body, are available on this website, here: https://archthesis.mit.edu/templates/

Submitting your thesis book

When accessing the Thesis Submission Portal, please be sure you are choosing the “Single Sign On” option for Airtable, and then using your MIT email address for logging in.

Your final thesis book must be reviewed and approved by your thesis advisor(s) (not your reader) before you submit the full book to the department. Include the signature page with your full book submission. The signature page can be found on the Formatting/Specs/Submission page.

Your front matter, and then the full book will be reviewed by Architecture Student Services Staff for the purpose of making certain the document is in compliance with MIT archive requirements. You will be contacted quickly if adjustments are needed. Please do not email separately.

All theses must be cleared by each department (multiple departments for dual degrees) and submitted to the Institute.

Dual degree candidates must abide by their home department’s deadlines and protocols (for example, Architecture cannot accept digital copies of the thesis with signatures).

Friday, May 8, 2026 by 9amFULL & COMPLETE BOOK DUE, NO EXCEPTIONSThesis Submissions Portal
NO Filler, Signed Signature page included, don’t make us chase you for a complete book please.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026Thesis Review DayReviews will start at 9am and run through 5pm. Running concurrently with SMBT reviews.
Thesis celebration will follow in TBA location.
Friday, May 15, 2026 by 5pmStaff deadline to Approve Graduates on the May Degree ListIf a thesis is not approved by both thesis advisor and the Department this point, the student will not be approved for the May degree list.

(To be approved by the dept for the list, we must have a final grade submitted and your full book must clear formatting standards/be approved by the dept)
TBA, likely Friday, May 22, 2026 by 8amStudio Clean OutThe deadline for removing all belongings from 7-303 and studios 3-415, 5-414, 7-403, 7-404, and 7-434. $75 fee imposed if anything left!!
TBD, likely Wednesday, May 27, 2026 4–6pmDept End of Year Celebration/Awards PartyTBA location, likely Walker Lawn
Thursday, May 28, 2026SA+P Advanced Degree Ceremony in Kresge Auditorium
Spring 2026 Thesis Degree Conferral Date
OneMIT Graduate Degree Ceremony on Killian Court
More details for degree ceremonies will be available here: https://commencement.mit.edu/
Studio Clean Out

Remove all belongings from 7-303 and studios 3-415, 5-414, 7-403, 7-404, and 7-434. Anything remaining will be discarded or recycled.  In order to allow for maintenance, classes, and research in the studios over IAP and the summer, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE STORAGE FOR YOUR BELONGINGS.  EVERYTHING MUST BE REMOVED.

***You need to be out in advance of the deadline.*** 

Please do not leave ANYTHING behind.  Clean out your locker, return your library books, and dispose of drawings and models according to the Trash and Recycling Guidelines sent out in an email from Lord Jim.  Please sweep the floor under your desk.  Again, anything remaining after the deadline will be disposed of without further warning and without regard to any posted notes.

As in previous semesters, there will be a $75 fee imposed if staff must clean up for you.  Cleanup and disposal costs at MIT are significant and this fee can help support these efforts if we must clean up for you — but we do not rely on the fees.  We will be pleased to find the studios empty and in broom clean condition with no need for further accountability.  Please do your part.

MArch Thesis Contacts