How to submit a graduation application
Virginia Commonwealth University confers degrees only three times per year in May, August, and December as outlined in the Bulletin. Each student who expects to complete the degree requirements by the end of a semester (fall, spring, or summer) must apply to graduate by the deadline published on the university academic calendar; typically this deadline is two to three weeks after the first day of classes.
Graduation applications are submitted electronically to the Office of the University Registrar via eServices. As part of this process, we strongly recommend that you confirm your program information matches your major on DegreeWorks. Please review the instructions for viewing your program information.
You will not be automatically alerted that your graduation application has been successfully submitted or received. We encourage you to confirm by viewing the status of your graduation application on eServices.
There is no fee to submit a graduation application.
Submitting a graduation application
A screen recording of these steps is available online.
To submit a graduation application, from the eServices home page:
- Click the Students tab
- Click Apply to Graduate
- Follow the on-screen prompts to progress through the graduation application:
- In the Curriculum Selection screens:
- Click the Term dropdown menu and select the term you were last enrolled
- Select the bullet beside your intended degree
- Click Continue
- In the Graduation Date Selection screens:
- Click the Graduation Date dropdown menu and select the term in which you expect to complete all degree requirements
- Select the circle beside your intent to participate in university commencement
- Click Continue
- In the Diploma Name Selection screens:
- Click the Select a Name dropdown menu for your Diploma dropdown menu, select your preferred name (or create a new preferred name) to be printed on your diploma, and confirm the spelling of your preferred name
- Click Continue
- In the Diploma Mailing Address for Diploma screens:
- Click the One of your Addresses dropdown menu, select the mailing address at which you wish to receive your diploma, and confirm the spelling of your mailing address
- Click Continue
- In the Graduation Application Summary screen:
- Confirm the details of your tentative graduation application
- Click Submit Request
- Follow the on-screen prompts to provide additional information on your hometown address and diploma pickup
Viewing a graduation application
A screen recording of these steps is available online.
To view your graduation application, from the eServices home page:
- Click the Students tab
- Click View Application to Graduate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on undergraduate graduation applications
Probably not. But only your academic advisor can answer that question because every situation is different. You should log in to the Navigate Student app to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.
DegreeWorks won’t say 100% completion until all final grades are posted and all degree requirements are satisfied.
Yes.
Minors are not printed on the physical diploma but will show on the graduation application as well as the academic transcript.
You will not be automatically alerted when your graduation application is successfully submitted. Please refer to the instructions earlier in this document for viewing the status of your graduation application on eServices.
That probably means you submitted a graduation application in a different semester, but it’s expired now. Your academic advisor can assist you with having your prior graduation application reset.
The policy in our Bulletin states that: “Each student who expects to complete the degree requirements by the end of a semester or summer session must apply to graduate [in that semester]. Candidates who do not graduate at the end of the semester for which they have applied must reapply.”
The policy is in our Bulletin states that: “Participation in the commencement ceremonies does not mean the student has been awarded a degree.”
It depends. But only your academic advisor can answer that question because every situation is different. You should log in to the Navigate Student app to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.
It depends. But only your academic advisor can answer that question because every situation is different. You should log in to the Navigate Student app to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.
Certifying degrees is a thorough and lengthy administrative process. It is also a manual process that requires five or more layers of university review and approval. This means that at least five administrators and faculty members across campus review and approve your graduation application. When your degree will be conferred on your academic record varies from semester to semester and on the complexity of your transcript, however it’s usually three to four weeks after the official end of the semester as listed in the academic calendar. If you are studying abroad in your final semester, it may take up to three to four months.
You will not be automatically alerted when the university has formally conferred your degree so you will want to periodically check on eServices. Conferred means “earned.”
When your diploma will be conferred on your academic record varies from semester to semester and on the complexity of your transcript, however it’s usually five to six weeks after the official end of the semester in the academic calendar. If you are studying abroad in your final semester, it may take up to four to six months.
In accordance with the Alumni Email Standard, graduates will be provided a new Google Workspace account in the alumni.vcu.edu domain. To keep the account active, it must be signed into once a year. Visit the Technology Services Graduating Student Technology Checklist for more information.