What Happens After Commencement?

• When will my degree be certified?
• How do I show proof that I earned my degree?
• How do I show proof of my certificate?
• How do I show proof that I completed a minor?
• What's the difference between my degree, my electronic diploma, and my paper diploma?
• When will I receive my electronic credential?
• When will I receive my paper diploma?
• What information will be on my electronic credential or paper diploma?
• Where can I download my electronic credential?

After you've finished your classes, taken your exams, and crossed the stage at Commencement, there are a few more things that need to happen before your degree is certified.

1. Your instructors need to submit all of your final grades. Faculty members typically have until 5 p.m. on the Wednesday after exam week to enter grades in Catalyst. 
2. Your college checks that all of your degree requirements have been met. Then they notify the Registrar's Office.
3.  The Registrar's Office posts your degree to your record, certifying your degree.

The Registrar’s Office will be certifying Fall Semester 2026 degrees on December 22, 2026.

Students will receive an email at their UC email account with confirmation of degree certification. If a student does not receive a confirmation email of their degree certification—and does not have a degree when they check degree status in Catalyst after December 22, 2026—they will need to reach out to their academic advisor.

Congratulations! You can verify your degree in various ways. Providing your electronic diploma is the best way to provide proof of your degree, however it typically takes 10 business days after your degree is certified for your electronic diploma to be available for download and paper diploma to be shipped.

Because of this processing time, we provide graduates with two other options to utilize in the meantime. An official transcript or an official degree verification letter will provide verification of your degree. Typically, educational institutions will require an official transcript. Third–party requestors—such as employers or insurance companies—may be okay with the official degree verification letter.

The day after degrees are certified, you can check your degree status via Catalyst, download an unofficial transcript, or download a degree verification letter. An unofficial transcript should not be used to verify your degree, but it can be used by you to make sure your degree has been posted. Students should not order an official transcript until after degree status is confirmed. Once you have verified that your degree has been posted, you can order an official transcript.

Additionally, we report degrees to the National Student Clearinghouse. Roughly two weeks after degrees are certified, third parties may request verification of your degree from them. This is the typical method that employers use to verify your degree.

Congratulations! You can verify your certificate in various ways. Providing your electronic certificate is the best way to provide proof however it typically takes 10 business days after your certificate is certified for your electronic certificate to be available for download.

Because of this processing time, we provide graduates with two other options to utilize in the meantime. An official transcript or an official certificate verification letter will provide verification of your certificate. Typically, educational institutions will require an official transcript. Third–party requestors—such as employers or insurance companies—may be okay with the official certificate verification letter.

The day after degrees and certificates are certified, you can check your certificate status via Catalyst, download an unofficial transcript, or download a certificate verification letter. An unofficial transcript should not be used to verify your certificate, but it can be used by you to make sure your certificate has been posted. Students should not order an official transcript until after certificate status is confirmed. Once you have verified that your certificate has been posted, you can order an official transcript.

Additionally, we report degrees and certificates to the National Student Clearinghouse. Roughly two weeks after degrees and certificates are certified, third parties may request verification of your certificate from them. This is the typical method that employers use to verify your credential.

Graduates who earn a minor credential do not receive a paper copy of this credential as it cannot be earned separate from your degree. This credential will, however, be found on your official University of Cincinnati transcript.

A degree is the credential you earn after completing the requirements for your academic program (e.g., an associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree). A few examples of degrees are: an Associate of Applied Science, a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Arts, or a Doctor of Philosophy.

Your electronic credential (diploma or certificate) is an official, secure and verifiable PDF version of your accomplishment! This is an official document that you may share an unlimited amount of times with family, friends, employers, and social media. It provides proof of your education (degree or certificate) with only the important details, so it is simple for employers to read, understand, and verify. All University of Cincinnati graduates automatically receive an electronic credential.

A paper diploma is the printed version of your diploma that you may wish to frame and hang on your wall. Paper diplomas are not used to officially verify your accomplishment and are intended to be used as framed memorabilia. All University of Cincinnati graduates earning a degree automatically receive a paper diploma.

A paper certificate is the printed version of your certificate that you may wish to frame and hang on your wall (note: this is not for degree programs e.g., bachelor's, master's, doctoral). Paper certificates are not used to officially verify your accomplishment and are intended to be used as framed memorabilia. You must order a paper certificate if you would like one.

Your electronic credential will be available for download 10 business days after your degree or certificate is certified. You will receive an email sent to your UC email address with a secure link to download your electronic credential once it is available. Electronic credentials CANNOT be expedited.

It takes four–five weeks after your degree is certified for your paper diploma to be shipped. You will receive an email from Parchment, our transcript and diploma partner, in your UC email address with shipping updates. Paper diploma arrival time is dependent on the carrier, so we are unable to provide an exact date for delivery.

Important: By default, your paper diploma will be sent to the Diploma Mailing Address you have indicated in Catalyst. When you receive your electronic diploma email, you will have 72 hours from when it was sent to update that address directly with Parchment. If you plan on moving after graduation, we suggest using a parent's, friend's, or relative's address that won't change in the next couple of months.

The below information is displayed on your paper and electronic credential.

• Name of the college that granted your degree
  
• Your name that you provided to us in the Diploma Name field in the Graduation Application
• University and Latin honors earned at the time of certification

Important Note: Majors are not printed on the diploma unless it is part of the degree name as approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and required by the appropriate accreditation body. (e.g., A Biology major receiving a Bachelor of Science will only have "Bachelor of Science" listed on their credential, but a Nursing major earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing will have "Bachelor of Science in Nursing" on their credential because that is the name of the degree.)

You can determine the name of your degree by visiting Catalyst, clicking the My Academics tile, opening the Graduation/Commencement drop–down menu, and selecting View Graduation Status. The information provided in the Degree field is what will be printed on your credential. Program, major, or track information will not be printed.

You will receive an email from Parchment with a link to download your credential when it is available.