Undergraduate Graduation

Resources for Seniors

Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation occurs when you have completed all of your requirements and your degree is “conferred,” whereas commencement is the ceremony in May that celebrates graduation. Students finishing up coursework in December or the Summer are eligible to “walk” in May commencement but will not graduate until they have completed all of the requirements for their degree. Once they complete all their requirements, their degree will be “conferred” and they will officially graduate from the university.

Apply to Graduate and Submit your Final Plan of Study

After you register for your final academic semester, apply to graduate in the Student Administration System (i.e., PeopleSoft) according to the term in which you will complete your coursework. Applying to graduate allows Degree Audit in the registrar’s office to track your progress and rectify any problems (e.g., insufficient credits, unfulfilled requirements, etc.). Then, submit your final plan of study by the fourth week of your final semester in the academic year. (That’s the Spring semester for Summer graduates and the Fall semester for Winter graduates.)

Electronic Submission Instructions

  1. Please be sure your plan(s) are correct.
    1. If applicable, please be sure your double major, additional degree, and/or minor(s) are declared and appear on your transcript. Conversely, be sure to cancel any additional plans you no longer are pursuing.
  2. If you haven’t already, apply to graduate in the Student Administration System (i.e., PeopleSoft).
  3. Submit your final plan of study in the Student Administration System.
    1. Navigate to your Academic Requirements report, and click the now visible Submit Final Plan of Study button.
    2. In the Comments box, be sure to list any transfer courses that may not be visible on your Advisement Report (or that you still have to transfer in) and non-pre-approved related courses you will be using. Winter and Summer graduates should also list the winter or summer courses they plan on taking.
  4. Your advisor(s) will be notified, review your plan, and (if no errors are present) approve it.
  5. Once your Final Plan of Study is approved, it will be sent to Degree Audit in the registrar’s office.

Pursuing a double major, additional degree, or minor?

  • Double major students (two majors in CLAS): You only need to submit your plan of study once, and each department will independently approve their portion.
  • Additional degree students with Business, Education, and Engineering: You only need to submit your plan of study once, and each department will independently approve their portion.
  • Additional degree students with other schools and colleges: Only the Business, CLAS, Education, and Engineering participate in the online submission process at this time. You must submit a paper plan of study for majors outside of these colleges.
  • Minor students: Electronic submission is for majors only. You must submit a paper plan of study for your minor(s).

In the Honors Program?

Submitting the major plan of study is different than submitting the Honors Scholar Final Plan of Study. Please refer to the Honors Program for additional Honors-specific graduation information.