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Commencement Office

Welcome to the Apply to Graduate Process at the University of Memphis!

All students must Apply to Graduate at the University of Memphis.

Deadlines to Apply to Graduate

You are now close enough to Apply to Graduate! As you approach your graduation, there are many things to be aware of to ensure you have met all requirements, signed all forms, and submitted all documents required for graduation. Read over this essential information and mark your calendars for upcoming dates, deadlines, and other requirements. Please be aware that participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean that you have graduated. Every student must apply to graduate from the University. Please read the instructions below carefully. Completing a graduation application is a mandatory requirement for all students. Your degree will not begin processing until this step is finished. Before applying for graduation, please check these important details:

Important: When you reach the application, first select your current or most recent term of enrollment. You will select your graduation date a few screens into the application.

  • All students at the University of Memphis are required to Apply for Graduation regardless of attending the ceremony or not. We have three graduating terms, but ceremonies take place only in December and May. August graduates join the December ceremony.
  • When you get to the actual application, you must choose your curriculum first before choosing your graduation date.
  • Login to MyMemphis account.
  • Select the My Degree tab and locate the commencement box.
  • Select your current or most recent term of enrollment to choose your correct curriculum and degree program. You will select your graduation term later in the form. Select your Graduation Date and submit. Continue to Step 3 (Diploma Information).
  • Early Participation is NOT allowed. A graduate MUST be in the final coursework required to obtain degree to participate in the ceremony. A graduate MUST be approved for graduation to participate. Students cannot join the graduation ceremony before they get approval to graduate. Each student can walk in Commencement only one time per degree. 
  • University of Memphis commencement ceremonies will have a backup date. Please read more about this at the end of this page. Please inform your guests. 
  • Second Majors do NOT attend commencement or receive another diploma. Check out the University's Catalog for more information. 
  • Graduates only receiving a certificate do NOT participate in the commencement ceremony.
  • Failure to miss any deadlines will result in a student not being able to graduate on-time; participate in the ceremony, have name listed in the commencement program, etc.
  • It is your responsibility to review all aspects of the graduation and commencement process and follow accordingly. It is your responsibility to meet all deadlines.
  • Signing up for Commencement must be completed at least 2-3 MONTHS BEFORE Commencement date. No exceptions. Failure to sign up and inform us of your attendance will result in non-participation in the ceremony.
  • To participate in our Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and guests must comply with our Commencement Guidelines. For more information, visit https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/graduates/conduct_guidelines.php.
  • How to Apply to Graduate 
    • Step 1: Read this website of information. All students are REQUIRED to read, understand, and comply with the information on this website.
    • Step 2: Apply to Graduate via your MyMemphis account (Important: When you reach the application, first select your current or most recent term of enrollment. You will select your graduation date a few screens into the application).
    • Login to MyMemphis account.
    • Select the My Degree tab and locate the commencement box.
    • Select your current or most recent term of enrollment to choose your correct curriculum and degree program. You will select your graduation term later in the form. Select your Graduation Date and submit. Continue to Step 3 (Diploma Information).
    • Step 3: Immediately after Step 2's submission, submit Step 3. This is the Cap and Gown & Diploma Mailing Form (Required by ALL degree-seeking students regardless of attendance).
    • Step 4: Attendance and Non-Attendance Required Form/Final Graduation Form (Will be sent to all graduating students in their final semester and will only be sent to those students who are approved. Required by all degree-seeking students regardless of attendance).
    • Following the Step 4 deadline, the University of Memphis Graduating Student Survey will be sent to all students. The survey, like Step 4, is REQUIRED and must be completed prior to receiving your cap and gown (attendees) and prior to receiving your diploma (all graduates/non-attendees).
    • Each eligible graduate MUST register to attend Commencement. You cannot attend Commencement if you do not register properly. Each eligible graduate will receive Step 4 to register for Commencement in their final semester. Deadlines are upheld highly. Failure to respond by the deadline will impact your graduation and commencement status.
    • All students must complete ALL Steps of The Apply to Graduate Process. No student is excluded for the requirements set by the University.
    • By applying for graduation, you agree to all that is listed on this page, in the Catalog for your degree program and all policies within the University. 
    • Double Majors and Second Majors do not receive separate diplomas or participate in the ceremony.

    • For undergraduate students receiving honors, the distinction at the time of Commencement is based on your previous semester’s GPA. After the ceremony and once all grades have been certified by your college, you will receive your final GPA and appropriate honors status. Graduate Students do not receive honors distinction. By reading this required information, you understand that your participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean you will graduate officially; degree conferral depends upon successful completion of all the degree requirements described in the Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate School and Department Requirements. For questions about your application after submitting or your academic information (grades, when to file, majors, minors, GPA, etc.), contact your Advisor or Graduation Analyst Contact. 

    • Service Animals: Are they allowed? Emotional Pets are NOT allowed. 

      Service Animals are allowed only if they are service animals trained to perform tasks for a disability in all public spaces. If you have a Service Animal registered as such with documentation and with the office of disability resources on campus, let me know by providing us with such documentation.https://www.memphis.edu/drs/.

 

Academic Requirements to Note

Any student at the University must be approved for graduation in order to participate. The University does not allow early participation. The student participates in the term/semester the student is approved for graduation. If you become Ineligible, Disqualified or your Approval status changes from Approved to Not Approved at any point in the semester, your name will be removed from the program and as a result, your participation in the Commencement ceremony will be cancelled.  In addition, Doctoral, Masters, Specialists must meet the Graduate School’s deadlines to remain approved and eligible for participation in the ceremony. Please refer to the Graduate School's website of important deadlines: /gradschool/current_students/graduation.php.

Undergraduate Students: If you have attended another college or university, having transfer credit in UMdegree is essential for the graduation checkout to be accurate. Please notify your advisor if you have missing transfer credits. For further questions about academic coursework, please contact your Graduation Analyst.

Graduate Students: Visit https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/current_students/graduation.php for more information. For further questions about academic coursework, please contact your Graduation Analyst.

Law Students: Students must return the Law School’s Graduation Checklist to the Law Registrar prior to completing the Application to Graduate. For further information about your academic coursework, contact the Law School Registrar.

 

Understanding the difference between Graduating and Participating in a Commencement Ceremony

  • Commencement is the optional celebration, while graduation is the official completion of your degree. For academic questions, contact your advisor. For commencement and diploma details, email commencement@memphis.edu. 
  • Attendance is optional. However, only those who register by the deadline on Step 4 to participate in the ceremony will receive a cap and gown.
  • Certification is the actual degree conferral, contingent upon your successful fulfillment of all the requirements for receiving a degree, certificate in your field as described in the Catalog of your Academic Program/College or School requirements of the University of Memphis.

More about Graduating from the University of Memphis

  • Early participation is not allowed. You will participate in the ceremony when you are officially graduating.
  • We host Commencement Twice (2) a Year (December and May Only). August graduates participate in the December combined ceremonies (August and December together) Commencement ceremonies. 
  • Summer graduation has not gone away! Summer Commencement is simply combined with December for a combined December and summer ceremony to be held in December each year. There is no separate summer commencement at the University of Memphis. 
  • We do NOT allow anyone to participate with the graduate. Only the graduate is allowed on the event level and on stage (no parents, guests, children, etc.). We do not allow proposals or the like at the ceremony.
  • All emails are sent to your Memphis email. It is important for you to keep up with all messages and check your Memphis email often.
  • All Steps of the Apply to Graduate /Commencement Process are required. 
  • If you have more than one major and the majors fall within the same degree, you will not receive two diplomas. (Example: You cannot earn more than one Bachelor of Arts degree). 
  • A graduating student can only participate one time for the degree they are receiving.
  • A student must be approved and enrolled in final coursework to participate in Commencement.
  • Majors, minors, concentrations, and the like are not placed on the diploma. The diploma will list the Degree Name.
  • All deadlines must be met.
  • Diplomas are always mailed 4 months after each Commencement. If your address changes, you are to notify commencement@memphis.edu no later than 1 (one) month after your Commencement Day. 
  • The Commencement Program is a public document. Therefore, it will list the names of all approved degree seeking students (some names may be listed who are not approved based on the date of notification). If a student wants name removed, the student must make a request in writing to commencement@memphis.edu by our Step 4 deadline. The name will automatically list and will only be removed by written request of the deadline. After the programs are approved, printed, and published on our University Libraries or other University of Memphis website, the name cannot be changed, removed or altered in any way. 
  • Notice: We are NOT responsible for lost, stolen, items left behind, theft, damage to vehicles, or personal injury of any kind. No property should be tampered, destroyed, or mishandled in any way by any graduate or guests attending. Attendance in the Commencement ceremony and events are completely optional, and decisions made to attend by the graduating student and any guests who choose to come on their own accord.
  • Second majors do not participate in the ceremony. Second majors do not receive a second diploma. Majors are not listed on the diploma. Check the University of Memphis' Catalog for more information. 
    • The university recognizes degrees. Although a student has a major area, we award degrees specifically.  If your major falls within the same degree area or under the same degree name, this is considered a second major. If you or your Advisor do not clearly understand this process, contact your Graduation Analyst who are the experts in the area.
    • Example: If you obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Communication and Fine Arts in 2000 with a major of Journalism, and then, you return to put more work into a major in History in 2025, this is considered a second major. Why? Although history is under the College of Arts & Sciences, both Journalism and History would earn a student a Bachelor of Arts degree (same degree type). You cannot receive more than one degree in the same name. Therefore, the Bachelor of Arts diploma earned in 2000 is the diploma that stands. The additional/second major would be on the transcript only. A second major permits a student to have two different majors while overlapping coursework generally requiring less coursework than a dual/double major. 
    • Double Degrees do warrant a second diploma:  The other major must be under a completely different degree type AND unlike second majors, dual/double degrees will require additional coursework —most times doubling the coursework of an individual who only obtains a second major since the coursework is typically in common for the second major. 
  • For deadlines, visit https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/apply/deadlines.php. 
  • All communications will be sent to your Memphis email address. It is your responsibility to ensure you are checking your Memphis email account regularly for messages from the Commencement Office, advisors, and academic officers. It is a good practice to check it daily. 
  • All students approved to graduate are automatically added the Commencement Program each graduating semester. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to let us know if you want your name to be excluded from the commencement program by our Step 4 deadline. The name is automatically printed unless we hear from the student via email in a timely fashion. 
  • The College Graduation Analyst check student records. These individuals tell us who is approved to graduate and go into the commencement program. If there is ever an issue with GPA, courses, etc., please contact the Graduation Analyst for your specific college.
  • EARLY Participation is not allowed at the University of Memphis. All students must be approved for the current term in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. You cannot participate early for any reason. If you are not in your final required coursework for graduation, you are not eligible for graduation and thus not available to participate in Commencement. If you have questions about this, contact the Commencement Office. 
  • Students receiving the Graduate Certificate do not participate in any commencement ceremony. The event is reserved for those obtaining degrees only and your certificate will be mailed 2-3 months after the ceremony.  
  • Second Majors do not participate in the commencement ceremony and do NOT receive a second diploma.
  •  Step 4 will be sent to graduates who are approved for the current term via their Memphis email address. This will be sent in the final semester. It is required by all approved graduating students and failure to complete this form will result in the canceling of your graduation application.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure all requirements are met at least one month prior to commencement. Failure to do so could cause issues such as: no name listed in the program, no permission to participate in the commencement ceremony, ineligibility to graduate, disqualification from the term's graduation, etc. Deadlines are strictly enforced. This statement does not override any deadlines that need to be met for other requirements such as graduate applications and Step 4.

  • Information on diplomas, visit https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/diplomas/mailing-schedule.php. A graduate must update diploma mailing address via an email to commencement@memphis.edu no later than one-month after the semester ends. 

  • Commencement Program

    • The Commencement Program is a public document. Therefore, it will list the names of all approved degree seeking students (some names may be listed who are not approved based on the date of notification). If a student wants name removed, the student must make a request in writing to commencement@memphis.edu by our Step 4 deadline. The name will automatically list and will only be removed by written request of the deadline. 

Honors Distinction

  • All students in the program are walking based on their prior semester GPA. Any changes in honors will be reflected on the Undergraduate Diploma at the time of certification. Graduate School Diplomas do not denote any honors.
  • University honor cords are single ropes worn over the robe. The cords come in three colors — gold, crimson or white. Read vital information available at this link. Policy is below. (Earn the following minimum grade point average on both their UofM and Overall GPA to achieve the listed designations. It takes the lower of the two). For more information, review our website or the University of Memphis catalog.
  • Undergraduate students who have achieved academic honors distinction (summa, magna or cum as determined by the University policy on GPA) will receive their honor cord at cap and gown distribution.
  • The College and School provide the names listed in the program with the distinctions: summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude and are based on grade point averages at the beginning of the term.
  • This semester's grades  will not be included in honors calculations until certification for the diploma, 4 months after commencement.
  • You may confirm your honor designation by checking the proof of the Commencement Program. If you think there is an error, you must talk with the Commencement Office early/by the Step 4 deadline. After you notify the Commencement Office of the error, they will contact your college/school to determine edits are needed.
  • Graduate Students do not have academic honors but may wear cords awarded previously.
  • 4.0s are determined by looking at an undergraduate student's overall undergraduate studies (entire transcript/entire undergraduate career: Every undergraduate course taken must be an A or better) to determine a 4.0 GPA.
  • Student Marshal(s): Each undergraduate College and School will identify the undergraduate student(s) with the highest GPA in their overall undergraduate studies to serve as Student Marshal. Student Marshals are recognized by their Marshal's medallion and will lead the college across the stage. The Commencement Office selects Student Marshals. We must review student records to ensure accuracy. 
  • If a student is graduating with University Honors or University Honors with Thesis, they must communicate with the Honors Program several months before Commencement to ensure the Commencement Office and the college/school knows to add this to the program and diploma information.
  • For more information on the Institution's Recognition of Academic Performance, see University of Memphis Catalog.  

May and December Backup Dates

  • The University of Memphis graduation ceremonies take place at the FedExForum. Because of changes in the Memphis Grizzlies NBA schedule, each semester includes a backup date. Please note this backup option and inform your guests when you apply for graduation.

Email After Graduation

  • Memphis Email Access Information: Your Memphis email will expire after 1 year/graduates will lose access to email in 1 year after graduation. For more information visit /umtech/solutions/email.php. For all students voluntarily separating from the University, either through graduation or lapse in enrollment, access to university data and IT systems will be revoked one year after the last term the student was enrolled. It is the responsibility of the student to save any personal electronic files or data stored on university systems prior to the access termination date. Access to personal electronic files or data may not be provided after the one-year expiration.

Delaying Commencement

  • If you want to delay your participation in the commencement ceremony, please contact the Commencement Office in your final semester and make note of this request on Step 4. Commencement will send you a separate participation link and will try to accommodate your request providing there are available spots in a future ceremony.

What if I missed the deadline to Apply to Graduate? 

Apply to Graduate deadlines are strictly followed. If you missed the deadline for any reason, it is the decision of your academic college or school to determine if you can file late. Contact your Graduation Analyst. 

By reading this information, you understand and agree to all of its terms and conditions and that your participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean that students have graduated; degree conferral depends upon successful completion of all of the degree requirements described in the Catalog of your Academic Program/College or School. All students are highly recommended to check with your department on all academic requirements. Diplomas are mailed 4 months after each graduating semester. They are not available earlier. There is a process of certification that must take place after each commencement, including checking grades and academic records. It is the applicant's responsibility to read comply with the information outlined here. Failure to read, comply and understand will impact your graduation and participation in the commencement ceremony.