What constitutes "graduation"?

The word “graduation” can have many meanings. You will not find the word used in the flow of degree completion procedures. Instead, we talk about:

Commencement

• Commencement is the ceremony held in May that celebrates your degree completion. It is not actually when you get your degree!
• People can go through the ceremony but not complete all necessary requirements to get their degree, so they think they have “graduated,” but they do not have a degree.
• You can complete all your requirements and obtain a degree without walking in the commencement ceremony.

Degree Completion

• When you complete your degree, your transcript will read “[name of degree] conferred on [date].”
• This happens when all degree requirements have been met, including;
• all coursework approved for your degree program has been completed with a passing grade;
• internship requirements have been met with all paperwork filed;
• all necessary Humphrey School and Graduate School documents have been submitted and approved;
• your University account balance is zero.