When they enter their final semester, candidates who expect to receive faculty recommendations for conferral of the degree are required to follow the procedures listed below:
1. Confirm that all academic requirements are being completed. If a student is unable to do so by the deadline date, both forms listed below must be refiled for a later-dated diploma.
2. Ensure that related fees and any outstanding debts to the university are paid.
3. Submit the completed candidacy application form by the announced deadline, normally in early January, May, or October.
4. Submit a diploma application form by the announced deadline, normally January 4, March 15, or October 1.
Students are urged to submit the appropriate forms in advance of the deadlines, if possible. If the diploma application form is filed after the deadline, the school cannot confer the degree as scheduled, and graduation will be delayed. Any student who misses the deadline must refile this form in order to be graduated. All forms are available from the student's graduate program director.
It is the responsibility of the student to complete all requirements for graduation by the scheduled dates. Each student should consult with the graduate program director of his or her program and with the office of the program director with respect to the completion of the requirements for graduation.
Conferral of degrees and diplomas occurs once a year at the annual spring commencement. Students who file the applications and complete all other requirements for the degree by the announced October or January date will get a diploma dated for the respective month. They will not receive the actual diploma, however, until the following spring. Any student who needs evidence that he or she has earned the degree may submit a written request for a temporary certificate of completion to the university registrar at the Administrative Services Building on Busch Campus. This request form is available at the dean's office.
At the time of commencement, degrees may be conferred in absentia only if the prospective candidate has notified the university registrar that he or she cannot attend commencement exercises. The diploma will be withheld from any student who is under financial obligation to the university.
