To be eligible for graduation, all students must file a Program of Study no later than the end of the semester prior to the proposed final term. However, students and their advisors should begin drafting their Program of Study in their first semester, and have a draft program on file at preregistration during the second semester. Programs of Study must be signed by all of the appropriate faculty members before being submitted to the GIA secretary.

National Capital Region students have a Major Paper or Practicum as options not a Thesis.