Certificates/Diplomas and Graduation

UMUC awards certificates and degrees in fall, spring, and summer of each academic year. Commencement ceremonies in May recognize AA, BA, and BS candidates who have earned their degrees in any of the three degree periods. To be eligible to march at commencement, May degree candidates must be able to demonstrate that they will complete all degree requirements by the time of the ceremony.

Download Graduation Checklist (PDF 2MB)

Certificates/Diploma Application Deadlines

Students expecting to complete requirements for a certificate or degree must apply for graduation and pay the $50 diploma fee through the MyUMUC student portal: MyAcademics> Graduation> Apply for Diploma or Certificate.

It is recommended that students apply for graduation when they are within the number of credits listed below:

  • Certificate: A student within 6 credits of completing certificate requirements.
  • Associate's Degree: A student within 9 credits of completing degree requirements.
  • Bachelor's Degree: A student within 15 credits of completing requirements for a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.

The completed Diploma Application should be submitted in accordance with the following schedule:

Graduation Term Application Deadline Graduation Date
Fall 1 October 30 December
Spring 15 February 30 May
Summer 15 June 30 August

Students whose applications are received after these deadlines will be considered for the next scheduled graduation. Students pursuing certificates must apply for them by the same deadlines.

Graduation Review

A graduation review will be prepared for each associate's and baccalaureate degree candidate. This review confirms remaining degree requirements. If the remaining requirements include marks of I (Incomplete) to be removed, courses to be transferred from other institutions, credit by examination, or military credit, the student must ensure this work is completed and official documentation reaches UMUC Europe, Office of Graduation Services, Unit 29216, APO AE 09004, no later than the expected graduation date.

Noncompletion of Degree Requirements

Students who do not complete degree requirements in time for the graduation date specified for the term for which they have applied must submit a new application and the $50 fee. Students will be informed of remaining degree requirements.

Issuance of Diplomas, Official Transcripts, and Letters of Completion

All AA, BA, and BS graduates can expect to receive their diplomas along with a complimentary transcript by mail from the Office of the Registrar approximately five weeks after the graduation date. Certificates will also be mailed to students three times per academic year.

Degrees and certificates are posted on transcripts only three times each academic year. The degree will not appear on any transcript issued prior to the graduation date even if all requirements have been completed. Students requiring verification of their degree prior to the graduation date may request a letter of completion from the Office of Graduation Services in Heidelberg up to two weeks prior to the graduation date. After the graduation date has passed students must request an official transcript for degree completion verification.

Conference Courses

Conference courses are exceptional and can only be conducted for a UMUC degree candidate who is within 9 credits of completing bachelor’s degree requirements. All of the following criteria must be met:

  1. The student has submitted a Diploma Application for the next graduation date (i.e., fall, spring, summer)
  2. The student has a valid reason for needing to complete the degree by that time (e.g., relocation, job offer)
  3. The specific course essential for graduation is not available to the student at any location within commuting distance or through any other viable source (i.e., distance education courses, individualized learning courses, or correspondence courses from another regionally accredited school) prior to the proposed graduation date

Permission from the director, Student Affairs must be requested in writing. Note: Mathematics, statistics, foreign language, and most computer, writing, accounting, and capstone courses will not be offered as conference courses.

Last updated: 24 August 2011