Graduation

All students who anticipate finishing degree requirements within the coming year must apply online for graduation by completing their respective application. When students enter their final semester, candidates who expect to receive faculty recommendations for conferral of the degree are required to adhere to the following procedures:

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.
Ensure that related fees and any outstanding debts to the university are paid.
Submit the completed candidacy application form by the announced deadline, normally in early January, May, or October.
Submit a diploma application form by the announced deadline, normally January 4, March 15, or October 1.

Students are urged to submit the appropriate online 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.

It is the responsibility of the student to complete all requirements for graduation by the scheduled dates. Each student should consult with the 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 the 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.

Diplomas will be mailed approximately two months after graduation to all graduates at the permanent address listed in our database (the university is not responsible for any loss or damage that may occur in transit via U.S. Postal Service for mailed diplomas). All graduates who prefer to pick up their diploma in person at the Busch Campus registrar's office must complete the Diploma Mailing Request Form and check "Pick-Up" to avoid having their diploma mailed.

Diplomas and official transcripts will be withheld from all students whose financial accounts and debts (including tuition, housing, parking, and library) are not cleared.