GRADUATION: The official date that all degree requirements are completed. All general education, major, minor, certificates, internships, incomplete grades, etc. must be COMPLETE. Graduation happens three times per year: May, August, & December
COMMENCEMENT: The ceremony to celebrate a student’s achievements. Commencement only happens twice per year: May & December.
Students must apply for the term in which they will graduate, not the term in which they will participate in commencement, and they should submit their graduation application in the semester prior to their last semester taking courses.
Complete all course requirements and grades posted: | Submit graduation application by: | Apply for graduation term: | Walk in commencement ceremony: |
Spring Term | Prior Fall Term | May | Spring/May |
Any Summer term | Prior Fall Term | August | Spring/May* |
Fall Term | Prior Spring Term | December | Fall/December |
*Students completing all coursework in August may choose to walk in the following December commencement ceremony; however, students applying for August graduation will have their names appear in the prior May Commencement Ceremony program. Contact the dean’s office for information.
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