FAQ and Guest FAQ

A half-dozen graduates look at the camera, wearing 91福利社 commencement regalia and at right seven people standing outside of the McNichols Campus Library smile for a photo on a sunny day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduation

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  • When is Graduation?

    Graduation is the point at which ALL degree requirements have been met and the degree is awarded. It is the responsibility of the college or school office to certify that all degree requirements have been met and the degree information is added to your official transcript in the Office of the Registrar. Degrees are normally completed at the end of each semester but may also occur the last date at the end of each month during the academic year when all requirements are met.

    Commencement is the once a year ceremony held on the second Saturday in May. Graduates are only invited to the ceremony in the academic year (Fall, Winter, Summer) they apply to graduate, participation cannot be changed to a prior or future ceremony.

  • Whom do I have to tell that I am ready to graduate?

    No later than the first week of the semester in which you plan to complete your degree requirements, you need to submit your graduation application online through your My Portal account. Summer graduates need to complete the application in the first week of the Winter semester before they graduate in order to be eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony.

    Applications received after the deadline may result in denial to participate in the commencement ceremony and/or delay in the date of graduation.

  • Is there a fee for graduation?

    There is a graduation fee of $95, which is applied to your student account at the time you submit your application online. This fee covers the costs of Commencement whether or not you participate.

    If you would like participate in the commencement ceremony, regalia (cap and gown) are required for attendance. You will be able to purchase regalia through our cap and gown company. Information will be sent out to you when you are invited to commencement.

  • Can I graduate in one semester and finish my courses in the next semester or session?

    No. You may graduate only at the point when ALL degree requirements have been met. Your degree date will be the next available date once all requirements have been met.  There is a graduation date the last day of each month in order to accommodate those that complete degree requirements during the semester instead of at the end of a semester.

  • When is the graduation ceremony?

    91福利社 has one commencement day per year, which is held in May on the McNichols Campus. Students who complete their degree requirements and graduate in December or April or plan to graduate in any month during the summer are invited to attend the May ceremony if their Application for Graduation has been received and they have been approved by their college/school to participate. Students who won't be completing all their degree requirements until after the summer when the academic year finishes will be eligible to participate in the next year's May ceremony as part of that academic year ceremony.

  • I want to go to commencement. What do I have to do?

    Students who have filed their Application for Graduation by the January deadline will receive an email in February inviting them to participate. There will be a reservation (RSVP) website for you to complete. If you believe you are eligible for Commencement, but have not received information by the end of February, contact the Registrar's Office immediately.

    The ceremony is planned for only those who RSVP by the deadline.

  • I participated in the commencement ceremony. Does that mean I have my degree?

    Commencement is ceremonial. Participation in the ceremony does not assure that all degree requirements have been met or that a degree has been or will be granted.

  • When will I get my diploma?

    Your diploma is available after your degree has been certified and has been printed. Diplomas are not distributed during the Commencement Ceremony and will be mailed to the home address on file in the weeks following commencement. Make sure your home address on record is correct before you finish your final degree requirements.

    Diplomas are withheld for students who owe a financial balance to the University. If you require verification of graduation prior to receiving your diploma, transcripts can be ordered online which will show any degree earned on record.

  • Will honors appear on my diploma?

    Graduates who have compiled superior academic records during their undergraduate program at 91福利社 will have one of the following honors inscribed on their diploma and recorded on their permanent academic transcript: cum laude (3.50 GPA minimum), magna cum laude (3.70 GPA minimum), summa cum laude (3.90 GPA minimum). All coursework in the cumulative GPA at 91福利社 is used in the calculation for honors. Transfer students must complete at least 60 hours at 91福利社 to be eligible for honors recognition. The responsibility for determining appropriate academic honors rests with the individual colleges/schools. Undergraduates enrolled in the Honors Program, who have completed the established requirements of the program, will have honors suitably inscribed as part of their degree name on their diploma.
  • What will be on my diploma?

    Diplomas are printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper in landscape format. Included will be your:

    • Name
    • Degree title
    • Latin honors, where applicable
    • Date degree was awarded
    • Signatures of the Dean of your college/school, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and President

    Majors, minors, and concentrations are not included on your diploma. They will be reflected on your transcript. 

  • What name can I have on my diploma?

    The name on your diploma must match the name used on your official student records at 91福利社. After the diploma has been printed, your graduation record is official, and the name on your diploma cannot be changed. 

    If you are officially changing your name before your diploma is ordered, you must bring the legal proof of your name change to the Office of the Registrar before you submit your graduation application online.

    If you are changing your legal name after your graduation and your diploma has been printed you can provide name change documents to the Office of the Registrar and pay for the cost of a new diploma. 

  • I have a double major. Will I get two diplomas?

    No. A double major only meets the requirements for one degree. If you wish to get a second undergraduate degree, you must declare a second degree program, meet all degree requirements for the second degree which includes completing a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree.
  • Why didn't my name appear in the Commencement program?

    The program is sent to the printer several weeks before the ceremony. If you filed your Application for Graduation late, your name may not appear in the program. To ensure that your name appears in the Commencement program, you must file your Application for Graduation by the deadline before the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate.  Summer graduates need to apply before the Winter semester to be invited to the May ceremony, if qualified.
  • I graduated and just noticed an error on my transcript. How can I get it corrected?

    You need to contact your college/school as soon as you notice the error. The college/school will work with the Registrar's Office if it is determined that an error has occurred and must be corrected.
  • I applied to graduate, but now I won't be finished this semester. Do I need to apply to graduate again?

    You do not need to file another Application for Graduation or pay another graduation fee. See your Dean's Office about officially changing your expected date of graduation. There may be a fee increase depending on when you originally applied and when you are now expected to graduate.
  • I lost my diploma. How can I get a duplicate?

    Duplicate diplomas are available through the Office of the Registrar for $35 for the 8 1/2 x 11 size. Duplicate diplomas from the School of Law or School of Dentistry are $50. 

    All duplicate diplomas will have a reissue date noted on the diploma. Duplicate order form is available here.

  • What color is my cap and gown?

    Your cap and gown are both black. The tassel on your cap will represent your degree color which is determined by the Academic Costume Code. If you are receiving a master's degree, specialist degree, or a doctorate, the color of the lining of your hood will also represent your degree.
  • Where can I get more information about Commencement if I need it?

    Visit the commencement website and use the menu on that page to link to current Commencement information.

Frequently Asked Questions by McNichols Campus Guests

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  • How long is Commencement?

    The actual commencement ceremony takes about two hours, one hour for speeches and conferring of degrees and one hour for degree presentation. It is not an event that most young children find interesting. With respect for the Ceremony and those graduating, you are expected to stay in place for the entire event.
  • What if my graduate has some existing commencement concerns?

    Commencement Day is not the time to address pre-existing concerns. These matters should be immediately brought to the attention of your graduate's college/school office or academic advisor.
  • How many tickets are available?

    Tickets are not required. We ask that you do not invite more than 8 guests.