Graduation
Students should apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which all requirements will be completed. Eligible students will be notified by email and provided a link to the graduation application.
Undergraduate students with double majors or dual degrees must submit a graduation application for each major and degree.
To make changes after applying, contact the Office of the University Registrar.
Degree requirements
All degree requirements must be completed before the graduation date. Students with questions about meeting departmental requirements should consult their academic advisor.
Students who fail to complete their degree requirements by the end of the term in which they applied for graduation should contact their advisor to cancel the application. Students must reapply for graduation in the semester the additional coursework will be completed.
Latin honors
Baccalaureate degrees with honors are conferred in accordance with cumulative grade point averages:
- Cum laude: 3.30-3.59
- Magna cum laude: 3.60-3.89
- Summa cum laude: 3.90-4.00
These designations apply only to candidates who have completed 45 or more credit hours of coursework at VCU and have a cumulative VCU GPA of 3.30 or higher. Once the initial criteria are met, the calculation of the GPA for honors determination is based on grades received for all courses taken for credit at VCU, as well as for credits accepted for transfer at VCU. If the calculated GPA falls below 3.30, the student is no longer eligible for the Latin honors designation.
Commencement
Students who apply to graduate in August but wish to walk during the May Commencement must get permission from their department. Otherwise, summer graduates are included in the December ceremony.
Visit VCU Commencement for more details about the ceremony.
Diplomas
Graduates will not receive their diplomas during Commencement. May, August and December diplomas will be mailed approximately four to six weeks after the graduation date.
Students who earned a double major will not receive an additional diploma. The double major will be noted on the student’s transcript.
To request a diploma reprint, submit the Request for Duplicate Diploma form.
Posting of degree
VCU confers degrees three times during the academic calendar year: August, December and May. The official conferral date is listed on the VCU academic calendar. Degrees will show only for those students who have satisfied all degree requirements and receive final approval. VCU is committed to posting degrees to student academic records approximately three to four weeks after the official conferral date. Students should check their unofficial transcripts via eServices to ensure their degree has been posted before requesting official transcripts.