ΒιΆΉΣ³»­

Prepare for graduation

Important terms

  • Graduation: The conferral of a degree upon successful completion of all academic requirements. There are three graduation cycles in an academic year: Fall, Spring and Summer.
  • Commencement: The ceremony held in honor of completion, or anticipation of fulfillment of, all academic requirements. There are two commencement ceremonies in an academic year: December and May.
  • Walking early: Participating in a commencement ceremony before the term of graduation.

Participating or “walking early” in a commencement ceremony does not necessarily mean you are graduating. Commencement does not equal graduation.

Before you apply for graduation...

1. Review your Academic Advising Report (AAR).

You can access your Academic Advising Report (AAR) on your account. See on MyΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Help for instructions on how to find and read your report — using the “Student Center Classic” version is recommended, as it gives more detail with less clicking.

The AAR will load your course history, including your in-progress courses (current and future enrollment) and check against degree requirements for your declared program(s).

  • If every academic requirement in the degree framework shows as “satisfied” on the AAR, then you can apply for graduation.
  • If one or more academic requirements on your AAR show as “not satisfied,” do not apply for graduation. Schedule an appointment with a college advisor in the CLA Student Center for review.

2. Check for common AAR issues.

Important filing dates

Fall Graduation Cycle


  • Application opens: When fall enrollment begins (around April 1st)
  • Last day to apply: October 1
  • Discrepancy reconciliation deadline: October 1

Spring Graduation Cycle


  • Application opens: When spring enrollment begins (around November 1st)
  • Last day to apply: March 1
  • Discrepancy reconciliation deadline: March 1

Summer Graduation Cycle


  • Application opens: During/after Spring Break
  • Last day to apply: June 1
  • Discrepancy reconciliation deadline: June 1

Graduation application procedures

How to apply

  1. Review your AAR, as outlined above.
  2. Apply for graduation on your MyΒιΆΉΣ³»­ account. Review on MyΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Help for detailed instructions. (If you are pursuing multiple majors or multiple degrees, you may need to repeat the process for each major/degree).
  3. Update your contact information on MyΒιΆΉΣ³»­, and remove anything outdated — review on MyΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Help. Enter a “degree name” to ensure your name displays exactly as you want it to appear on your diploma.
  4. Pay the $145 non-refundable graduation application fee. The fee will be due with other term registration and fees (or will appear on your account within about three business days if your application was submitted after the term began).
  5. Be sure to check your graduation status.
  6. Visit the commencement webpage and review the commencement ceremony checklist.