Graduation is a term used when all academic requirements have been met and a degree has been awarded. Commencement is a ceremony to honor students who have met graduation requirements and students who anticipate fulfilling graduation requirements by the end of the following term. Participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee graduation.

Petition to graduate is a necessary step you must take before you can graduate. You must submit a petition to graduate in order for your degree to be formally awarded and to receive your diploma.

Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress toward degree completion and for meeting all graduation requirements. Prior to the beginning of their final semester students are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor and initiate graduation formalities.

Undergraduate students will need to pick a form from the Registrar’s Office and complete it with their advisor. The advisor must complete a degree audit to accompany the petition. A graduation fee is payable at the Business Office where the form will be stamped. The stamped petition and degree audit should then be filed with the Registrar’s Office. Both the petition and the degree audit will be valid for one year. If graduation requirements are not met within one year, the student should submit another petition and degree audit.