Graduation Completion Policies

Each student must notify the Registrar of his or her intent to graduate by completing an Application for Graduation provided to the student online by the Registrar. Applications deadline is the Friday of the first week for the semester in which the student plans to graduate. After receiving the application, the Registrar’s Office will prepare a degree audit that will reflect any outstanding requirements that must be completed.

The following policies apply:

  1. Once the Registrar's Office receives the application for graduation, communication between the Registrar's Office and the student is by e-mail to the university assigned e-mail account.
  2. A $50.00 graduation fee will be assessed to all applicants for graduation to cover administrative costs of graduation.
  3. Community Service hours must be completed and documented by the first week of the student's final semester.
  4. Refer to the "Credit by Examination, Certification, or Correspondence Policies" for policies related to earning credit in that manner.
  5. Deadlines related to Graduation:
  • Applications for graduation for December are due by May 1 unless the date falls on a weekend in which case the deadline will be the immediately following Monday. Applications for graduation for May are due by October 1 unless the date falls on a weekend in which case the deadline will be the immediately following Monday. Applications for graduation for August are due by April 1 unless the date falls on a weekend in which case the deadline will be the immediately following Monday. Applications for graduation for August are due by March 1 unless the date falls on a weekend in which case the deadline will be the immediately following Monday.
  • Applications received after the posted filing date deadline will not guarantee a timely review of the applicant's file or ensure the distribution of tickets or publication entry for Commencement. Filing deadlines are listed in the graduation packet posted on Canvas and in the Academic Calendar. Students are responsible for notifying the Registrar's Office if there are any changes in their plans to graduate. Failure to do so may result in additional late fees.
  • Students are responsible for keeping their address information with the university accurate to ensure the timely delivery of their diploma.  
  • The deadline for changing the graduation date is the Friday of the first week of the semester during which you initially plan to graduate. A change of graduation form is required.
  • All official transcripts must be on file in the Registrar’s Office before the final graduation audit will begin.
  • All course substitution forms (where applicable) must be on file in the Registrar’s Office the first week of the semester during which graduation is planned.
  • Courses in which incomplete grades were previously assigned must be completed by the Friday of the first week of the semester during which graduation is planned.
  1. Students cannot receive a grade of “D,” “F,” “W,” or “IP” in their major, minor, concentration, specialization, support work, or teaching field. Receiving such grade will change the date of graduation to the next conferral period.
  2. To participate in Commencement exercises, you must register for and remain enrolled in all required courses necessary for graduation prior to or during the fall or spring semester in which you intend to graduate. You cannot receive a grade of “W” in courses used to satisfy degree requirements. Receiving such grade will change your date of graduation to the next conferral period. Dropping a course or courses will remove you from candidacy and will prevent you from attending the Commencement ceremonies.
  3. Students completing degree requirements during the summer participate in the December Commencement ceremonies.
  4. Transcripts or test scores for courses taken at other institutions during the final semester of enrollment at the University of the Incarnate Word must be in the Registrar’s Office at UIW no later than two weeks after the end of the semester. Transcripts received beyond this deadline will result in a change of graduation date.
  5. Your account balance must be clear by the posted deadline or you will not be permitted to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. Refer to the deadlines posted on-line, at the graduation link, on the Registrar's Office web page and Canvas.
  6. Diplomas are not ordered until all degrees are posted and the student's account balance is cleared.