Graduation steps

Find your graduation information in MyU: Academics > Degree Progress.

Plan, apply, and commencement

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Plan

  1. Find your graduation information in MyU: Academics > Degree Progress.
  2. Get help with academic planning and progress from your college Advising & Academic Services office.
  3. Explore and learn your Liberal education requirements.
  4. Generate your APAS degree audit to review your degree progress. Make a plan with your advisor to complete your degree requirements.
    1. Select Open All Sections to see your requirements and your progress.
    2. Check that all credit and grades appear correctly on your APAS degree audit and note if you are missing any earned credit or grades. 
      1. Transfer credits may include earned college credit, test credit (AP, CLEP, DSST, IB), or study abroad credits. 
  5. You will be invited to apply to graduate once you complete 90 credits.

Apply to graduate

  1. Find your graduation information in MyU: Academics > Degree Progress.
  2. Make sure your APAS degree audit lists all majors, minors, or certificates you plan to complete. 
    1. To make a change, visit your college Advising & Academic Services office.
    2. If at any point in time this information becomes incorrect or your plans change, submit a Request to Change Graduation Term form.
  3. Apply to graduate (see step-by-step instructions below).
    1. If you have completed at least 90 credits, you are eligible to apply for graduation.
      1. You must apply to graduate before the deadline each term.
        1. Select the term you will complete your degree requirements.
      2. If you have more than one degree program, you will have to submit an application for each program.
    2. Once your application has been submitted online, you are not able to update your expected graduation term online. If you need to update your graduation term within the specified deadlines, please contact One Stop. Any requests made after the application deadline must be approved by the college.
    3. Unless you indicate otherwise, the primary name (i.e., legal name) on your record will be printed on your diploma, which will be mailed to your mailing address. You may set a degree name and add a diploma address at any time. However, if your diploma has already been mailed, any changes made online will not be reflected.
  4. Fall semester graduates may participate in either of the spring commencement ceremonies before or after degree completion.

How to apply to graduate

Text instructions
  1. Log into MyU and select the Academics tab.
  2. Select the Degree Progress sub-tab.
  3. Click the Apply to Graduate link at the bottom of the page.
  4. Select the Apply for Graduation link.
    1. Complete this step for each degree program if you have more than one.
  5. Choose your Expected Graduation Term from the drop-down menu.
  6. Read the graduation instructions, and then click Continue.
  7. Verify the information is correct, and then click Submit Application.
  8. View the confirmation screen.
  9. Go to the My Info tab in MyU and check that your name and address are correct for your diploma.
    1. Your primary name and home address will be used unless you enter a different degree name and diploma address.
Visual guide

To open the guide in a new window, use the full-screen version.

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After you apply

  1. Find Commencement ceremony information MyU: Academics > Degree Progress.
  2. Review your graduation status information at any time.
    1. Confirm your diploma address.
    2. Confirm your degree name.
  3. Plans changed? Work with your academic advisor to create a new plan. If your plans change, submit a Request to Change Graduation Term.
  4. Attend the UMD Graduation Fair in March.
    1. Get your cap and gown through UMD Stores.
  5. Complete exit counseling if you are a borrower of a federal or University-administered student loan program. You will receive an email to complete your exit counseling through your Student Center in MyU.

RSVP for your Commencement ceremony

  1. Complete or update your Commencement RSVP by the deadline. Allow 24 hours after you've applied to graduate for the commencement RSVP to become available. 
    1. Tell us if you will be there.
    2. Tell us how to pronounce your name.
  2. Visit UMD Commencement for ceremony schedules and information.
  3. Fall semester graduates may participate in either of the spring commencement ceremonies before or after degree completion.

Last semester checklist

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Future academic plans

If you are planning to continue your education at the University of Minnesota after graduation, seek guidance from your advisor. There may be special circumstances that will affect when and how you register.

Confirm you are on track

  1. Generate your APAS degree audit to review your degree progress. Make a plan with your advisor to complete your degree requirements.
    1. Select Open All Sections to see your requirements and your progress.
    2. Check that all credit and grades appear correctly on your APAS degree audit and note if you are missing any earned credit or grades. 
      1. Transfer credits may include earned college credit, test credit (AP, CLEP, DSST, IB), or study abroad credits.

What to do if your requirements are not complete

Work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. If your plans change, submit a Request to Change Graduation Term.

When to look for your grades

Your grades should be available four business days after the end of the term in MyU: Academics. If your grades are not available by this time, check with your instructor.

What to confirm before ordering an official transcript

Review your unofficial transcript before you order an official transcript. Find more information about your transcript.

Make sure grades are reported and your degree is awarded. Transcripts are official documentation of completed coursework and proof of your degree. Transcripts are recognized in the United States and internationally.

Where is my diploma?

You will receive communications about your diploma to your University email.

Holds may prevent you from ordering a transcript or receiving your diploma. For more information, see holds.