Apply to Graduate (Undergraduates)Degree Certification

For students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, the process for applying to graduate and obtaining a "Summary of Coursework Remaining" is as follows:

1. College of Arts and Sciences majors must apply to graduate at least one year before the beginning of their expected graduation semester. Students apply to graduate in myMemphis on the My Degree tab by following the steps in the Commencement and Graduation Channel.
   
   
2. After the student applies, the Graduation Analyst will complete a "Summary of Coursework Remaining," which will list all current and pre-enrolled courses and all remaining requirements.
   
   
3. A copy of the student's "Summary of Coursework Remaining" will be e-mailed to the advisor and to the student several months after the application date.
   
   
4. Students should meet with their academic advisor to review the Summary. If you have questions about the information on the Summary, your advisor should e-mail casgraduation@memphis.edu for clarification so that all concerned will have the correct information.
   
   
5. Students will be placed on the graduation list for their application semester and their schedules will be checked at the beginning of the final semester. An e-mail will be sent to the UM e-mail account indicating that the student is placed on the graduation list. If there are remaining requirements, the e-mail will indicate that the student is "ineligible," and the NOTES section in UMdegree will state the reason. It is the student's responsibility to inform the analysts if classes are added or transfer work will complete the requirements.
   
   
6. Students must e-mail casgraduation@memphis.edu if their graduation date needs to be changed. Otherwise, if all requirements are met, the degree will be conferred for the semester in which the student applied.
   
   
7. Apply to Graduate Deadlines: These are the University's filing deadlines. Because of the large number of Arts and Sciences undergraduates, our students must apply at least one year before the beginning of their expected graduation semester (for example, in January 2020 for May 2021). Applying to graduate in the last few months prior to the University's deadline for a specific semester results in not receiving information about courses remaining until after the expected graduation semester begins.
   
   

An e-mail notification will be sent to all undergraduates to indicate the ideal time to apply to graduate for a specific semester.

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In the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduation Analysts in the Dean's Office determine if students have met the requirements for graduation. After each Commencement ceremony, the analysts go over the student's record to confirm that all requirements are met, and if they are, the student is "certified" for graduation and the degree is conferred.

FAQ's

What happens after I apply to graduate?
The graduation analyst reviews your remaining coursework to provide a "Summary of Coursework Remaining." You should meet with your advisor to discuss this Summary. If there are any questions about the requirements remaining, ask your advisor to contact the graduation analyst so that all three of you will understand the requirements. If you are enrolled in all courses required for graduation at the beginning of the semester for which you applied, your name will be put on the graduation list for that semester. You MUST inform the graduation analyst if you decide to change to a different graduation semester: casgraduation@memphis.edu

How soon will I receive my Summary of Coursework Remaining?
The College of Arts and Sciences graduation analysts must go over the records of all students who apply to graduate. It may take several months for your official Summary to be e-mailed to you. You should work with your advisor to ensure that you are taking the appropriate classes.

What is graduation certification?
Graduation certification is the process through which each undergraduate student's grades and coursework are checked prior to issuing a diploma. Walking in the commencement ceremony does not mean that you have graduated. The Graduation Analyst must go over your coursework to ensure that all requirements have been met and that you have taken any Area Exit Exams. All transfer work must be included on your transcript in the University of Memphis system, and no "I" or Incomplete grades may be outstanding. If all of these requirements have been met, your graduation will be certified, and your diploma will be mailed by the Commencement Office approximately 8-10 weeks after the ceremony

How do transfer credits apply?
Taking transfer work in your last semester is not recommended, but if you choose to, you are responsible for filling out a Transfer Credit Request (TCR) form in the Admissions Office (101 Wilder Tower) and for having an official transcript sent to the University of Memphis when the coursework is completed. Students must bring a copy of the Transfer Credit Request form to Scates 107 for their name to be added to the graduation list. If the transcript with your final grade in the course(s) does not arrive by the deadline for graduation certification, your diploma will be dated the following semester. It is also your responsibility to be sure you satisfy the UM residency requirement. Transient courses do not count toward the residency requirement.

How do I change my graduation date?
After you have applied to graduate for a specific semester, if you want to change your expected graduation date, send an e-mail with your name, U number and expected graduation date to casgraduation@memphis.edu. It is very important that your graduation date is accurate.

When is the commencement ceremony?
There are commencement ceremonies at the end of Fall (December), Spring (May), and Summer (August) semesters. The Commencement Office e-mails students on the graduation list for each semester, notifying students to complete the Attendance Card and read important information on the Commencement website.

How do I order my cap and gown?
When you fill out the Apply to Graduate form online, you should also complete Step 3 in the Commencement and Graduation channel, which will complete the "Diploma Mailing/Cap and Gown" order form.

How do I order graduation invitations?
Check the Commencement website for this information.

How do I Graduate with Distinction?
The student's GPA at the beginning of the final semester determines whether the student will be listed in the Commencement program with distinction. If a student's distinction changes after the final grades are entered, the degree will be certified with the appropriate distinction based on the final graduation GPA. See the details for graduating with the distinction of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude in the Undergraduate Catalog. (Note: Grades received in a first session term are NOT factored into the GPA used for distinction.)

When will I receive my diploma, and what will it say?
Diplomas are ordered after the Registrar receives confirmation that you have completed your degree requirements. Your diploma will be mailed about 8 to 10 weeks after the commencement ceremony to the address you have designated on the Diploma Mailing Card. Your diploma will list the degree earned, not the major or minor. If you have more than one degree, you will receive a diploma for each. Degrees available through the College of Arts and Sciences are Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BS CH).