• Students must submit an application for graduation through Joe'SS within the first four weeks of the semester (two weeks for the summer session) in which they plan to complete all degree requirements. A separate application for each degree program and/or certificate is required.
• Please note: Thesis and dissertation students must meet the Graduate Education deadlines to graduate in a given term. These deadlines occur before the semester officially ends and are published prior to the start of the term.
• Submitting an application is required for your name to appear on the official graduation list and for your degree to be awarded—even if you do not plan to attend commencement.
• A $75 graduation fee (or $25 completion fee for certificates) will be charged to your student account once your application is submitted. If you miss the deadline and are removed from the graduation list, you will need to reapply, but you will not be charged the fee again.

A degree audit is your tool for confirming you are on track to graduate. Follow these steps:

1. Request your degree audit in Joe’SS.
   You can do this at any time to review your progress toward degree completion.
2. Review the audit carefully.
   • Look for any “unmet requirements.”
   • Confirm that all coursework, GPA, and program requirements are showing as in progress or satisfied.
   • Be aware of additional requirements that may not be not flagged in the audit.
     • Some items are not captured in the audit, such as:
       • Time limit issues
       • Incomplete grades
       • Certificate Program Courses Form
       • Other special program requirements
       In these cases, the Graduate Education office will notify your department if your audit shows issues that may prevent your degree from being awarded.
3. Resolve all issues.
   • Work with your department and/or graduate specialist to clear any discrepancies.
   • It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to make sure all issues are resolved before commencement.
   • Failure to resolve issues will delay your degree to a future term.

• Depending on your program, you may need to complete and submit forms such as:
  • Form 1/1A – Plan of Study / Revised Plan of Study
  • Form 5A – Revised Plan of Study
  • Certificate Program Courses Form
  • Substitution for Required Certificate Course(s) Form
• These forms must be submitted and fully approved by Graduate Education before the close of the semester or session in which the degree will be awarded.
• Deadlines for the Form 2 (Master’s Thesis/Dissertation Defense Results) and Form 7 (Doctoral Defense Results) are included in the Thesis/Dissertation Deadlines.

Select the term in which you plan to complete your degree. To have your degree awarded in a specific semester or session, you must meet all deadlines for either intersession or the regular semester/session. 

Your hard work has led to this moment—celebration time! Check out Your Guide to Commencement for everything you need to know: ceremony schedules, regalia, FAQs, and tips to make the most of your graduation day.

Degrees are conferred approximately 3–4 weeks after the close of the semester or session, after final grades are posted and all graduation requirements have been verified.

Doctoral candidates receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony. Diplomas for master’s degrees are mailed approximately 6–8 weeks after commencement. Questions regarding diploma delivery should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Students who require documentation prior to the official conferral may request a degree completion letter from their graduate specialist. This letter is a standard template and may be used for employment, licensure, or visa purposes until the degree appears on the official transcript or the diploma has been issued. Once the degree has been awarded, students who need proof of degree completion must request an official certification letter from the Registrar’s Office.