Graduation and Conferral of Degrees

Prior to applying for graduation, it is the student's obligation to check the authenticity of their own degree program, including all degree(s), major(s), minor(s), and specialization(s). If students have any queries about their program of study, they should speak with their academic adviser.

Students should apply to graduate at the same time they register for their final scheduled term's courses, not sooner. Furthermore, students must apply by the date specified in the Academic Calendar.

Academic advisers will monitor the academic achievement of students who applied to graduate during the term in which they applied. If the advisor finds that the student's degree requirements may be met before the conclusion of the term for which they applied, the advisor designates the student as eligible for commencement within the application, allowing the student to participate in commencement and obtain regalia. If not, the adviser notifies the Office of the University Registrar, which moves or deletes the application depending on the advisor's advice.

Commencement

Formal commencement ceremonies are held in May and December. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not constitute conferral of a degree, nor does it indicate an obligation on the part of the institution to grant a degree until all prerequisites have been satisfied and validated.

Students who wish to participate in a ceremony other than the one that corresponds with their planned graduation date must work with their advisor to complete a walk exception form, which must be approved by the student's academic advisor and the dean (or their designee) of their school before participating in commencement. When assessing requests, advisers and deans (or their designees) are obligated by the University Policy on Student Participation in Commencement Ceremonies.

Conferral of Degrees

Only students who successfully complete degree requirements by the end of the term for which they have applied to graduate are certified for conferral of a degree.

The permanent records of the graduates are duly documented with a declaration of graduation in testimony to the degree granted. Degree posting to the student record is a continuing procedure that begins the week following graduation and continues for the next two months while advisers and the Office of the Registrar verify all degree audits to ensure completeness and compliance with all university rules. Diplomas are ordered when degrees are posted and should arrive between one and a half and three months following graduation.

Students should collaborate with their advisers throughout this process to ensure that all criteria are met on time. Based on the recommendations of the student's adviser, graduation applications of students who do not finish all work necessary for their degree by the applied-for graduation date are either pushed to another semester or canceled by the Office of the Registrar.