Graduation
Academic Progress*
It’s important to keep track of your academic progress to make sure you can graduate as expected. To do this we’ve created a Self-Assessment Tool (pdf) that helps you track what you have and haven’t completed, and gives important reminders of University policies you need to be aware of.
To complete the Self-Assessment Tool, you’ll need to review your information on UR Student. The Self-Assessment Instructions (pdf) will step you through this process, showing you where to find all of the information in UR Student and where to fill it out on the form.
Contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions.
*For undergraduates in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Application for Graduation
This pertains to students in the following schools/degree programs:
- School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) – All students
- Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (Hajim) – All students
- PhD candidates – All schools (excluding SMD MD)
- School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Warner School of Education
All other degree candidates should contact their school Registrar with any questions about degree completion.
What is Application for Graduation?
The application for graduation notifies the Office of the University Registrar of when you plan to complete your degree requirements. The application kicks off the process of reviewing and updating the student record and ensures you receive important updates about degree progress and commencement. The application for graduation also serves as an opportunity to provide your name as you’d like it to appear on the diploma and in the commencement book as well as the address where you would like your diploma to be mailed.
Who is eligible to apply for graduation?
Undergraduate students in SAS and Hajim
BA/BS: Earned a minimum of 88 credit hours
Graduate students in SAS and Hajim
ACRT: Anytime during Matriculation
MS/MA: Earned a minimum of 20 credit hours
PhD candidates across all schools are eligible to apply to graduate once the official dean’s letter of completion has been received by the Registrar’s Office.
School of Medicine and Dentistry
ACRT: Anytime during matriculation
MS (degrees between 30-34 credits): Earned a minimum of 15 credit hours
MS (degrees with 34 or more credits): Earned a minimum of 30 credit hours
MPH: Earned a minimum of 30 credit hours
MA: Earned a minimum of 15 credit hours
Warner School of Education
ACRT: Anytime during matriculation
MS/MAT: Earned a minimum of 18 credit hours
EdD: Earned a minimum of 48 credit hours
How do I apply for graduation?
If you are eligible, you can use the Application for Graduation form.
| Graduation Term | Conferral Month | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Graduate level only) | March | January 15 |
| Spring | May | April 1 |
| Summer | August | July 15 |
| Fall (Graduate level only) | October | August 15 |
| Fall | December | November 15 |
The application for graduation must be submitted on or before April 1 of the year you plan to participate in commencement to have your name reflected in the commencement book. Not submitting the application for graduation may delay the conferral of your degree. Without receipt of an application for graduation, diplomas will be issued using legal name and mailed to the primary home address as recorded in UR Student.
When should I apply for graduation?
Once you receive communication regarding your eligibility, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible – even if you are not exactly sure when you will graduate! Students should select the term on the application for graduation that coincides with the earliest semester that they could complete their degree requirements.
What if I need to change my expected completion date (ECD)?
If for some reason you need to update the term you expect to complete your degree requirements from the term you identified on your application, you will need to fill out the Expected Completion Date Change Form. We will update your expected completion date in UR Student to the date that coincides with the term you selected upon receipt of this request. If you are not sure which term to select, or you are not eligible to apply but need to discuss changing your expected completion date consult your schools Registrar’s Office.
International students are responsible for checking the completion date on their I-20 and requesting a program extension or shorten as needed with ISO.
How can I change my diploma name or diploma mailing address after I submit my application for graduation?
If you need to make a change to your diploma name or diploma mailing address from what you originally submitted you can do this at any time in UR Student up until the application deadline. Follow these instructions to add/update a diploma name or diploma address to your official record:
Who is eligible to participate in commencement?
Students who plan to complete their degree requirements within the academic year (fall, spring, summer) are eligible to participate in that year’s commencement ceremonies. Please see your academic advisor or your school Registrar to inquire about your eligibility. Exceptions to this policy may be made by permission of the dean or Registrar of your home school.
See the Commencement Eligibility Policy page for more information.
Degree Conferral
Students who are ready to graduate can review the following Degree Certification Calendar to find out when:
- Their status in UR Student will change
- Their degree will be voted on by the board
- Degrees will officially be posted
- Diplomas will be mailed