Graduation

Earning the Degree vs. Participating in Commencement

Degrees are conferred three times a year: at the end of the fall, spring, and summer. In order to award the degree, students must successfully complete a graduation application in their final semester. Degree certification occurs after all grades for the semester are posted.

Commencement ceremonies are held once a year in the spring to celebrate graduates from the previous fall, current spring, and upcoming summer. In order to participate students must have an approved graduation application for the spring semester or an approved walk list request. Participating in the commencement ceremonies allows students to celebrate their accomplishments. However, participation in commencement does not indicate completion of the degree.

Apply to Graduate During Final Semester

You must apply for graduation in your final semester. All completed coursework must be posted to the official record at the time the graduation application is processed; if concurrently enrolled at another institution, verification of enrollment must be provided in order to apply. 

Commencement 

Liberal Arts hosts commencement ceremonies in May for all students graduating during the academic year - the previous fall, the current spring, and the upcoming summer.

If you wish to participate in the spring 2024 commencement ceremony, you must submit an approved request to be added to the list of commencement participants during the spring 2024 semester. More information on this process will published here in early February 2024. 

NOTE: Summer 2024 graduates can have no more than 15 hours of remaining future coursework in order to be eligible to sign the walk list in the spring. 

Deadlines

The Fall 2023 application for in absentia students will be available August 21 to December 4 (Priority Deadline - October 23). 

The Fall 2023 application for currently enrolled students will be available online September 7 to December 4 (Priority Deadline - October 23.)