Graduation and Diploma Frequently Asked Questions

You may review additional information on our Apply to Graduate page.

All relevant Online Graduation Application deadlines can be found on our Apply to Graduate page and on our Semester Dates and Deadlines Calendars.

Important: Late applications will not be accepted.

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 have met with your program advisors and have been informed that you are close to completing your degree requirements, you should apply to graduate.

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.

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 College's Graduation page prior to entering the Online Graduation Ap l plication.

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

Graduate Students must first complete The Graduate College Exit Survey prior to submitting a graduation application. You will not be able to complete the Online Graduation Application until you have completed the survey.

Whether or not your name will be printed in the commencement book depends on whether you have asked us to withhold your directory information with a FERPA block.

If that is the case, UC cannot print your name in the UC Commencement Program. If a directory–information hold is currently being enforced, the Online Graduation Application will ask for your authorization to override the FERPA block and print your name in the program.

When you complete the graduation application, you choose the name you want printed on your diploma. This is the same name that will appear in the commencement book. If you want to confirm the name you entered, you can view it in Catalyst under My Profile.

A hold on your University of Cincinnati account will not prevent you from applying to graduate.

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

You can review your graduation status in Catalyst by

1. Clicking on the My Academics tile, 
2. Opening the Graduation/Commencement drop–down menu, and
3. Selecting View Graduation Status.

Successfully completed applications will show as Graduation Application has been Received.

The Online Graduation Application fee is $50.00. This is charged per term, not per degree. It is nonrefundable, so if you do not graduate, the fee will not be refunded or applied to the next term.

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, diploma creation, and other graduation–related expenses.

After having completed an online application for graduation, you will only be able to access and update information for a limited time. Please check our Apply to Graduate page to verify the various deadlines. Students are able to update their Diploma Name via the Graduation Application. This name will be used on your electronic credential, paper diploma or certificate, and in the commencement book.

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 Graduation Application Deadlines so that you are aware of the last date to change this information.

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. Check out the After Commencement page for more details.

First, know that Fall Semester 2026 certifications may take through December 22, 2026, to be processed. If you do not receive a confirmation email of your degree certification—and do not have a degree when you check degree status in Catalyst after December 22, 2026—you will need to reach out to your academic advisor.

You can verify your degree in various ways. The day after degrees are certified, you can check your degree status via Catalyst, download an unofficial transcript, or download a degree verification letter. You should not order an official transcript until after your degree status shows as confirmed. Once you see that your degree has been confirmed, your degree will be shown on an official transcript. The best way to verify your degree is with your electronic diploma.

You can order and download your official transcript via Catalyst. Be sure to read all information found on the Transcript Ordering page before ordering. Transcripts are nonrefundable, so make sure your degree has been certified before you order.

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.

Your paper diploma will be mailed four–five weeks after your degree is certified. When you receive the link for your electronic credential, you will have 72 hours to edit your paper diploma mailing address. You will receive another email sent to your UC email address once the diploma has been placed in the mail. Paper diplomas CANNOT be expedited.

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

Yes, you will receive a paper diploma for each degree earned. Note that double majors will not receive two diplomas. Review the Double Majors and Double Degrees Policy for more information.

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

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

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.

Graduates who earn a minor credential do not receive a hard 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.

Undergraduate and graduate (including PhD and PharmD) paper diplomas are 8.5 x 11 inches.

Law school (JD and LLM) and medical school (MD) paper diplomas are 12 x 17 inches.

Make sure you know what degree is being earned prior to purchasing a frame.

The University of Cincinnati Bookstore has frames and holders available for purchase. Check the paper diploma sizes below before purchasing.

Undergraduate and graduate (including PhD and PharmD) paper diplomas are 8.5 x 11 inches.

Law school (JD and LLM) and medical school (MD) paper diplomas are 12 x 17 inches.

You may order a replacement diploma if needed. You may also utilize services found our Self-Service Verifications page to verify your degree.

If you were recently impacted by a natural disaster and lost your paper diploma, please email us at registrar@uc.edu.