Apply to Graduate

Apply to Graduate 

You are ready to graduate once you have completed all degree requirements for your program and you have no outstanding financial obligations to the University. Degree conferral occurs at the end of each semester, depending upon the program schedule, but commencement ceremonies only occur in May of each year.

You must apply to graduate even if you do not plan to attend commencement ceremonies. 

Applying to Graduate for Bachelor's & Master's Degrees

Students expecting to graduate in a particular semester must apply to graduate via GWeb. For application deadline information, please see Degree and Certificate Application Deadlines.

Applying to Graduate for Certificates

Students planning to complete a certificate at the end of the semester for which they are currently enrolled must follow the Online Graduation Application Instructions to declare their candidacy. 

For application deadline information, please see Degree and Certificate Application Deadlines. Please note that students completing a certificate are not recognized at the commencement ceremonies and therefore are not issued tickets. Please make sure that the “diploma” address is updated in GWeb and that the name of record is correct.

Communication with Commencement Participants

Students who have applied to graduate should keep checking their email for important Commencement information. Information is also being posted on the School Celebration website, so make sure to check it out.

Degree Information

Check DegreeMap to ensure that all degree requirements have been/will be completed at the end of your final semester. Degree conferral cannot occur until both the "Requirements" and "Credits" gauges in DegreeMap indicate 100% completion.

You are required to be registered in the semester in which your degree will be conferred. You can verify that your degree has been conferred via your unofficial transcript on GWeb.

Diplomas & Final Transcripts

Diplomas

If your degree has been conferred and you have questions regarding your diploma, please refer to the Registrar's Graduation Services Office. Please make sure the diploma address is updated and the name of record is correct.

Final Transcripts

You may request a copy of your Official Transcript through the Office of the Registrar's website. Official transcripts can be sent via secure PDF, regular mail or FedEx, or picked-up in person in the Student Services Hub on the Ground Floor of the University Student Center at 800 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC. Please note that your account with the University must not show any outstanding obligations in order to receive an official transcript.

If you are a currently enrolled student, you may also review your unofficial transcript online via GWeb. If you need verification of your graduation before your final transcript and diploma/certificate are available, you may request a certification of completion from the Office of the Registrar.

Please contact registrargwu [dot] edu (registrar[at]gwu[dot]edu) with any questions you may have.

Please contact the CPS Office for Student Engagement at cpscommencementgwu [dot] edu (cpscommencement[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you have any questions regarding Commencement.