“How and when do I apply for graduation?”
Students must formally apply to graduate and are encouraged to do so as soon as they have earned approximately 120 credits and have been admitted to all majors and minors they plan to complete. Undergraduate students and students seeking a second bachelor's degree (post-baccalaureate students) may apply for graduation online through the Banner Information System. Enter the system and choose “Student Menu” followed by “Academic Progress Menu,” which includes the online Graduation Application. Graduation application deadlines are below.

Intending to Graduate             Deadline:
Spring/Summer                          Quarters May 1*
Autumn Quarter                          February 1
Winter Quarter                            June 1

*in the year prior to graduation

Students who meet the graduation application deadlines will receive information on their academic progress prior to their anticipated quarter of graduation. Students who do not meet the application deadline may not receive academic progress reports and their name may not appear in the Commencement brochure. Degrees are awarded by the end of the quarter following the quarter in which the degree was completed. Diplomas are mailed approximately six weeks after the degree is posted.

Within eight to ten weeks of the time you submit the application to graduate, your Undergraduate Academic Counselor will review your progress toward fulfilling Common Curriculum and Exploratory Curriculum requirements and other requirements for the degree. He or she also will request a review of progress toward major and minor requirements from your faculty advisor(s). You will receive a copy of the academic counselor's checklist when it is complete and a copy of your faculty advisor's review of major/minor requirements when that is received by the counselor.

If you change your plans after applying to graduate, please contact your Undergraduate Academic Counselor as soon as possible.

How do I apply for graduation if I'm a graduate student?
All master's and doctoral degree students who wish to participate in Commencement must apply to graduate by February 1. The application is available from the graduate advisor. The form will be forwarded to Student Academic Services so that mailings regarding Commencement can be sent out during Spring Quarter. Degrees are awarded when the department notifies SAS that all requirements are complete. Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after the degree is posted.

“If I won't be done with all of my required classes by the end of spring quarter my senior year, can I still go through Commencement?”
In order to participate in the Commencement ceremony in June, you must have completed all courses necessary to fulfill graduation requirements or be currently registered during spring and/or summer quarters for the last of the courses needed to complete your degree.

If you are unable to register for outstanding requirements for the degree during spring or summer quarters, you will not be allowed to “walk” in the Commencement ceremony. Students completing their degree requirements autumn and winter quarters may participate in Commencement ceremonies at the end of the academic year in which they finish their course work.

Students who will complete degrees during Summer Quarter are not eligible for recognition until completion of all degree requirements. Their honors do not appear in the Commencement program and they are not eligible to wear honor cords during the Commencement.

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