Graduation

Welcome to the webpage dedicated to providing information on the graduation process. Graduation is the process of completing all degree requirements and having your degree officially awarded by NDSU.

Graduation vs. Commencement

There is often confusion between graduation and commencement, but they are two different things.

GRADUATION is a four-step process consisting of submitting a graduation application, completing all academic requirements for your degree, updating your address, and settling all financial obligations.

A degree is then posted to the student’s transcript, and a diploma is sent to the student’s mailing address.

COMMENCEMENT refers to the ceremony, officiated by the President of the University, which is an opportunity for the students to share the excitement and importance of their academic accomplishments with peers, family, and friends. It is also a time for the University, senior administration, faculty and staff to pay special tribute to students for the outstanding efforts they have shown in earning their degrees.

Graduation Checklist and Timeline:

NOTE: Graduate students should visit the Graduate School Graduation page for further details.

All undergraduate students (except for Nursing and Pharmaceutical Science students) must submit a Degree Audit Request approximately 2-3 semesters before their expected graduation term. This is the only way a student’s graduation term is updated, and students begin being notified of timely information related to graduation and commencement.

Instructions:

  1. Log into Campus Connection
  2. Select the "NDSU Forms" tile
  3. Select the "Registration & Records" tab
  4. Select the "Degree Audit Request" form

Fill out all relevant information and list your expected graduation term. Degree Audit Requests will be reviewed in the order they are received by the assigned Degree & Records Analyst. Your Degree Audit will be sent to you via NDSU email. If at any time your graduation date changes after the degree audit is completed, please reach out to your Degree & Records Analyst.

After registering for your final semester, a Graduation Audit will be completed by your assigned Degree & Records Analyst and sent to your NDSU email.

If you are notified of missing requirements, please work with your academic advisor to resolve them.

NOTE: If you did not submit a Degree Audit Request in the previous step, this step and all following steps will not happen.

Students must apply for graduation during the term they intend to complete their degree requirements.

You will receive an email from your assigned Degree & Records Analyst when the graduation application opens. Please review the Dates and Deadlines page for the application deadline.

After final grades have posted, review your grades in Campus Connection.

Continue to monitor your NDSU email for communication from your Degree & Records Analyst regarding any outstanding degree requirements.

After all final grades are reviewed and degree requirements are verified as satisfied:

  • Degrees are typically posted approximately 4 weeks after the semester ends
  • Diplomas are mailed approximately 6 weeks after the semester ends

See the Diplomas page for details about what information is printed on the diploma, verifying your mailing address, the expected timeline for receiving your diploma, and options for ordering a digital, replacement, or duplicate diploma.

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