The M.L.I.S. (Master of Library and Information Science) and M.C.I.S. (Master of Communication and Information Studies) degrees are conferred by the university upon recommendation of the faculty of the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies. Degrees are conferred and diplomas issued only at the annual commencement each May or June. For this reason, a student who completes degree requirements before October 1 may request a suitable certificate for use until commencement. This request should be sent to the university registrar, accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope, and is honored shortly after October 1 provided the student has a Graduate Diploma Application (Application for an Advanced Degree) on file and has in fact completed all other requirements for the degree by that time. A similar certificate is available, upon request, to the student who completes all requirements by the end of the fall term. Students issued these certificates receive diplomas dated October or January respectively.

Any candidate who does not wish to attend commencement is asked to indicate that fact on the diploma application. When this is not indicated on the application, the candidate is asked to write to the university registrar requesting that the degree be conferred in absentia at the annual commencement exercises. Since arrangements for commencement are complex, and well advanced by April 1, it is appreciated if such requests are placed before that date, although they will be accepted any time before commencement. Candidates whose attendance is prevented by some last-minute emergency are asked to communicate with the university registrar within twenty-four hours of commencement. In all cases the candidate should indicate the address to which the diploma may be sent when it is mailed in June or July.