To receive the diploma, students must go to the registrar’s website, and apply for the semester in which they hope to graduate. Consult the current Bulletin or Directory of Classes for a specific application deadline: a late application will delay graduation a semester. Please note that the university will hold the diploma for ransom if any money is owed for parking tickets or library fines, regardless of how minute the fees are. Students who apply for graduation but then do not graduate need to reapply for graduation the following semester.

A graduating PhD candidate who plans to take part the hooding ceremony should make arrangements with the major professor. If the student’s major professor is unable to attend, another member of the student’s committee can hood the student.