Graduation

At DePaul University there are two different components to graduation: Degree Conferral and Commencement.  Degree Conferral is the awarding of the degrees at the end of each term (required) and the Commencement Ceremony is held once a year in June (optional).  Each component requires an application.

Degree Conferral

The awarding of a degree is not automatic.  You must submit an application to be considered for the degree.  DePaul awards and posts degrees at the end of each regular academic term (autumn, winter, spring, summer I and summer II). It is your responsibility to initiate the degree conferral application process by submitting an online application. 

Submitting a degree conferral application means that you intend to finish your degree requirements by the end of the term for which you have applied. After submitting the application, registration access is prohibited for all terms following the term selected in the application.

Application deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall Quarter - October 1st
  • Winter Quarter - January 15th
  • Spring Quarter - February 1st
  • Summer I Quarter - June 1st
  • Summer II Quarter - July 15th

To apply for degree conferral online log on to Campus Connection
Select FOR STUDENTS, then GRADUATION, then APPLY FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL
On screen instructions will take you through the application process.

Provided that all requirements and financial obligations are met, degrees are posted 30 days after the official end of the term. Official dates are listed on the Academic Calendar.

Undergraduate students must be approved for student teaching and complete student teaching and capstone (or internship) to be cleared for the degree.

Graduate students are eligible for degree conferral when all degree requirements are completed (degree requirements vary by program - check with your advisor). 

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements are complete. You should maintain regular communication with your assigned academic advisors concerning the completion of degree requirements.

All degree requirements must be complete by the degree conferral date, including the resolution of all incomplete (IN), missing (M), and continuing research (R) grades. Papers are due to faculty advisors far in advance of the degree posting date.  Individuals transferring courses must submit official transcripts by the last date of the quarter.  Make sure you submit documents on time or you will not be eligible for degree conferral until the next posting date.

Commencement Ceremony 

DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June.  If you intend to participate in the June ceremony you must first apply for degree conferral for the current academic year and then submit a cap and gown order.  In order to verify completion of all requirements and to have time to print the Commencement Program, we must have your application for the ceremony by the deadline below.

The deadline for submitting the cap and gown order for the 2009 ceremony is April 15, 2009.

To order your cap and gown, visit the Hreff-Jones website.

Graduate students must complete all courses and all other program requirements such as student teaching, internship, papers, or thesis to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.  Honors are not announced at the ceremony for undergraduates completing their final courses in spring quarter because a final gpa is not determined at the time of the ceremony.

Transcripts

Transcripts are a legal verification of the awarding of your degree.  To order transcripts, log on to Campus Connection.  Select FOR STUDENTS, then RECORDS AND REGISTRATION, then TRANSCRIPT - OFFICIAL.

If you have applied for degree conferral, please check your unofficial transcript to verify the awarding of your degree before ordering official transcripts.

Diplomas

Diplomas are automatically ordered at the time your degree is posted and mailed to you.  However, addresses are generated several weeks in advance of the mailing.  If you change your address, you must indicate your new address on campus connection several weeks in advance of the end of the quarter.

Honors Convocation

During the week of the commencement ceremony, the School of Education holds an Honors Convocation to recognize those graduates who have excelled in their programs.  Invitations are extended to undergraduate and graduate students that have excelled in their studies.

Honors and Distinction

Undergraduate students - determination for honors is based solely on the cumulative grade point average.

  • Cum Laude - cumulative gpa between 3.500 and 3.699
  • Magna Cum Laude - cumulative gpa between 3.700 and 3.849
  • Suma Cum Laude - cumulative gpa above 3.850

Graduate students in Elementary, Secondary, Early Childhood, and Dual Certification

  • MED degree - determination for distinction is based solely on the cumulative grade point average. A cumulative gpa of 4.000 is required for distinction on the degree.
  • MA degree - thesis paper must be submitted to the distinction committee and distinction must be awarded by the committee to receive distinction on the degree.

Graduate students in Advanced Programs

  • MED degree - determination for distinction is based on a GPA of 3.75 or higher and papers or other projects in 606 and 607 (MEd papers) or 608 (Capstone). Check with program faculty for more information.
  • MA degree - determination for distinction is based on a GPA of 3.75 or higher and distinction must be awarded by the student's thesis committee to receive distinction on the degree.