Graduation

When Will I Get My Graduation Application Invitation?

Once you’ve registered for classes that will fulfill the course requirements for a certificate, diploma, or degree in your program, you’ll receive an email invitation to apply for graduation. This email will be sent to your Hawkeye email.

• Fall and Spring graduates: You’ll get your invitation about 2–3 weeks after registering for your final classes. If it’s been more than three weeks and you haven’t received it, reach out to your academic advisor.
• Summer graduates: Your first invitation will arrive in mid-January.

If you’re finishing more than one program award, such as a certificate and diploma, you may get multiple emails—sometimes for the same term, sometimes for different ones. You’ll need to apply to graduate for the term listed in each email invitation you receive.

How Your Graduation Term Is Determined

Your graduation term is based on the date when your final classes end. This is the term when your certificate, diploma, or degree is officially awarded.

Your Invitation to Apply for Graduation email will include the deadline to apply, but here’s a quick reference for your convenience.

• Fall 2025 graduate: November 28, 2025, by 4:30 PM
• Spring 2026 graduate: March 13, 2026, by 4:30 PM
• Summer 2026 graduate: July 13, 2026, by 4:30 PM
  • To have your name in the commencement program, submit your application by April 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM.

Note: To receive your invitation to apply for graduation, you must be registered for all the classes that complete your program requirements. Make sure to register early, especially if you plan to complete your program in the summer, so you don't miss the application deadline.

Follow the link provided in your invitation to apply for graduation email to begin your application.

1. Start Your Application: Click APPLY under Application Status for the major/degree listed in the invitation email.
2. Read Instructions Carefully: The instructions provide important details to help you fill out the application correctly. Mistakes can delay your application or diploma.
3. Fill Out Your Information: Review and complete the details on the Graduation Application form.
4. Check Your Degree Information: Only the degrees or majors you are currently enrolled in will show. Click "Apply" next to each degree if you have more than one to complete. You may receive more than one invitation email if this applies.
5. Review Automatic Fields: Some sections will fill in automatically. Double-check that all information is correct, as it will be used to print and mail your diploma. There is a $15 fee to reprint your diploma if there’s a mistake.
6. Preferred Name on Diploma: Your diploma will show your name exactly as it appears in the “Preferred Name on Diploma” field. If you plan to change your name before graduation, enter it as you want it to appear on the diploma.
   • Note: Changing your name on this application will not change it on your student record. See Change Your Name or Address for details.
7. Diploma Mailing Address: Enter the address where you want your diploma sent.
   • Note: Changing your address here will not update it on your student record. See Change Your Name or Address for details.
8. Graduation Term: Use the drop-down list to pick the correct graduation term from the invitation email.
   • Spring Graduate: If you’re taking spring or December Minimester classes to finish your program.
   • Summer Graduate: If you’re taking summer classes to finish.
   • Fall Graduate: If you’re finishing in the fall semester.
9. Submit the Application: After you click SUBMIT, a green confirmation box will pop up on the screen, and a confirmation will be sent to your Hawkeye email.
10. Check Your Application Status: Click “< Back to Major(s)/Degree(s)” to go back. Look for a green checkmark with the date showing your application was submitted.

You have three working days after your last class (for classes shorter than 16 weeks) or three days after the semester ends to submit any updates to your application.

Use the link provided in the email to go to the Graduation Overview in Self-Service.

Under Application Status, click on the link that says “Application submitted on (date)” to open your graduation application.

When you’re done, click “SUBMIT.” A green box will appear, saying, “The graduation application has been updated.”

You will receive an email to your Hawkeye email within 30 days of submitting your graduation application, notifying you of its status. Look for an email with the subject line "Graduation Application Status".

After registering for classes, check My Progress in Self-Service for each active major or degree.

You’re on track to graduate when all requirements are marked as completed, in progress, or registered (not planned).

If your major/degree is missing from My Progress in Self-Service, take the following steps:

• Currently enrolled in classes: Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to add your major/degree.
• New or returning student: Complete an Admissions Application to add your program.
• Previously pursued a major/degree: Contact the Registrar's Office to reactivate your major/degree.

• Transferring Credits from Another College/University: If you completed the missing courses at another college or university, submit your official transcript(s) for transfer credit review. After your courses are evaluated and added to your record, and if you're now on track to graduate, you'll receive an invitation to apply for graduation via your Hawkeye email.
• Reverse Credit Transfer: If you're enrolled at another college or university and have taken courses that will complete your degree requirements at Hawkeye, refer to the Reverse Credit Transfer process. This allows you to transfer credits back to Hawkeye to finalize your degree.
• If you have a course substitution, course waiver, catalog year change, or certification/licensure that should fulfill your degree requirements but isn't showing in Self-Service My Progress, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor. They can help ensure that your records are updated accordingly.