Apply to Graduate

President Pinto shakes hands with a smiling University of Cincinnati graduate at Commencement.

The Online Graduation Application

All undergraduate and graduate students must submit their graduation applications through the Online Graduation Application. The colleges will not accept paper applications.

Be sure to apply by the deadline of the term in which you wish to graduate. The Graduation Application Deadlines are listed further down on this page.

Important: Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Instructions

  1. Login to Catalyst
  2. Click on the My Academics tile
  3. Open the Graduation/Commencement drop–down menu
  4. Select Apply to Graduate
  5. Follow the steps to submit your application and application fee. (Remember that your application is not complete until you are presented with a final “application accepted” screen.)
  6. Make sure you get to the end of the application and pay the $50.00 Online Graduation Application fee by credit card.
Important: Students strongly are advised to consult with their academic advisor prior to submitting an application for graduation.

Verify My Application Status

  1. Login to Catalyst
  2. Click on the My Academics tile
  3. Open the Graduation/Commencement drop–down menu
  4. Select View Graduation Status (successfully completed applications will indicate Graduation Application has been Received)

Graduation Application Deadlines

Spring 2024

Application Opens: August 21, 2023

Application Closes: February 6, 2024 (extended from Jan. 30)

Last Day to Update RSVP*: February 6, 2024 (extended from Jan. 30)

Last Day to Update Diploma Name and Diploma Mailing Address: April 25, 2024

Summer 2024

Application Opens: January 8, 2024

Application Closes: May 28, 2024

Last Day to Update RSVP*: May 28, 2024

Last Day to Update Diploma Name and Diploma Mailing Address: August 3, 2024

*After the RSVP Deadline, students may contact the Commencement Office to make changes to their RSVP.


Online Graduation Application Frequently Asked Questions

Students who have met with their program advisors and who have been informed by the advisors that they are close to completing their degree requirements should apply to graduate.

The Online Graduation Application accepts applications from both undergraduate and graduate students applying for graduation from associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degree programs. The Online Graduation Application also accepts applications for certificate programs.

If you are completing a degree in the College of Law or College of Medicine (MD program only), you must follow that college's procedures for applying for graduation. This Online Graduation Application cannot accept applications for College of Law degrees or from the College of Medicine's Doctor of Medicine degree students.

Check the master schedule of opening dates and closing deadlines for the date that Online Graduation Application will begin accepting applications for the term in which you seek graduation.

Be sure also to note the application deadline for that term.

Students are responsible for knowing and complying with graduation application deadlines. Graduation applications will not be accepted after the established deadline for the term.

Prior to entering the Online Graduation Application, make an appointment with your academic advisor to be certain that you are ready to apply for graduation.

If you are a graduate student, review the Graduate School’s graduation process information prior to entering the Online Graduation Application.

Graduate Students must first complete the Graduate School Exit Survey prior to submitting a graduation application. The Online Graduation Application will not accept a graduate student's application until they completed the survey.

Log in to the Online Graduation Application.

The Online Graduation Application will display your current academic program(s). If this information is incorrect or incomplete, log out of the application and immediately contact your college office.

Enter the information requested on each page and click the “Next” button. You will see that some information items have been pre-populated for you. Confirm that this information is correct before clicking to the next page.

You may submit only one graduation application per full term, but if you are enrolled for multiple academic programs, you may use the Online Graduation Application to apply for multiple program graduation in the same term including certificate programs.

At some previous time, you may have asked UC to withhold releasing your UC Directory Information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). If that is the case, UC cannot print your name in the UC Commencement Program. If a directory information hold currently is being enforced, the Online Graduation Application will ask for your authorization to override the FERPA block and print your name in the program.

The Online Graduation Application will notify you if currently, you have an unresolved obligation to the University of Cincinnati. You may submit your graduation application, but UC will not release either your diploma or academic transcript until this obligation has been cleared.

Once you have entered all requested information, the Online Graduation Application will display a confirmation page.

Print and save that confirmation for your records.

After having completed an online application for graduation, you will only be able to access and update information for a limited time. Please check the Graduation Application Dates and Deadlines page to verify the various deadlines. Students are able to update their CeCredential Name (Catalyst refers to this as either the "Diploma" or "eDiploma" Name) via the Graduation Application. It is highly encouraged that all students update their CeCredential/Diploma/eDiploma Name to ensure accuracy of CeCredential creation.

Make sure you check the Important Dates and Deadlines for Graduation Applications page so that you are aware of the last date to change this information.

Review the Commencement Ceremony page for the most current information regarding upcoming Commencement Ceremony.

You will RSVP for a Commencement Ceremony as part of completing and submitting your Online Graduation Application.

Make sure you check the Important Dates and Deadlines for Graduation Applications page so that you are aware of the last date to change this information.

After the RSVP Deadline, students may contact the Commencement Office to make changes to their RSVP.

All graduate and undergraduate students are required to submit a non-refundable "Graduation Fee" payment by credit card to complete the degree application.

The graduation application fee was established to enhance services to the University of Cincinnati graduating students. The fee underwrites various costs related to All–University Commencement, degree certification, CeCredential creation, and other graduation–related expenses.

A student who applies to graduate and who pays the graduation fee but who does not graduate in the term for which they applied (for example, a student who does not satisfactorily complete final term courses or a student who has not satisfied all degree requirements) will be required to submit the fee again when applying for graduation for a future term.

The graduation fee will be required for each term the student applies for graduation. The graduation fee is $50.00

Students strongly are advised to consult with their academic advisor prior to submitting an application for graduation.

The Graduation Fee will not be waived, refunded or carried forward to a future term.