Graduation

Academic Progress (AS&E Undergraduates)

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.

Questions? We’ve pulled together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (pdf), to help answer them. If the answer to your question isn’t there, you can also contact the Office of the Registrar.

Application for Graduation

This pertains to students in the following schools/degree programs:

  • Arts, Sciences & Engineering (AS&E) – All students
  • PhD candidates – All schools (excluding the School of Medicine and Dentistry)

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 AS&E are eligible to apply for graduation if they have earned a minimum of 88 credit hours, are currently in progress and have a declared program of study.

Graduate students in AS&E are eligible to apply for graduation if they have 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.

How do I apply for graduation?

The Office of the University Registrar will send a monthly email to students who are eligible to apply for graduation with a link to the application for graduation.

The application for graduation must be submitted by April 1 of the year you plan to participate in commencement. This will ensure that you are included in the commencement book and in any graduation communications and activities. 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, 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, consult your academic advisor or the Office of the University Registrar.

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 on your application, send an email to registrar@rochester.edu and we will get this updated for you.

Who is eligible to attend commencement?

Students who plan to complete their degree requirements within the academic year (fall, spring, summer) are eligible to participate in the May 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 their home school.

For more commencement related information please visit the commencement website.

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

2023-2024 Degree Certification Calendar

Spring 2023
January 27Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
February 13–15Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
February 16–17Board of Trustees Meeting
February 24Mid-Semester Conferral Date
March 10Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
April 21Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
May 8–10Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
May 11–12Board of Trustees Meeting
May 12Conferral Date
May 15Final Department Action List sent to departments at 10 a.m. (AS&E ONLY)
May 19Final Department Action List due back from departments at midnight (AS&E ONLY)
June 2Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
Summer 2023
August 2Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
August 8–10Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
August 11Board of Trustees Meeting
August 31Conferral Date
September 1Final Department Action List sent to departments at 10 a.m. (AS&E ONLY)
September 8Final Department Action List due back from departments at midnight (AS&E ONLY)
September 15Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
Fall 2023
September 20Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
October 2-4Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
October 5-6Board of Trustees Meeting
October 6Mid-Semester Conferral Date
October 20Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
December 1Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
December 5-7Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
December 8Board of Trustees Meeting
December 31Conferral Date
January 3Final Department Action List sent to departments at 10 a.m. (AS&E ONLY)
January 12Final Department Action List due back from departments at midnight (AS&E ONLY)
January 19Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
Spring 2024
January 30Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
February 12-14Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
February 15-16Board of Trustees Meeting
March 1Mid-Semester Conferral Date
March 15Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered
April 30Conferral candidates set to Pending Completion
May 13-15Faculty vote (AS&E ONLY)
May 16-17Board of Trustees Meeting
May 17Conferral Date
May 20Final Department Action List sent to departments at 10 a.m. (AS&E ONLY)
May 24Final Department Action List due back from departments at midnight (AS&E ONLY)
June 7Degrees posted to student record and diplomas ordered