Important Information for Graduating Students 

Note: Please read the following statements before completing the application form.

You must fill out an online graduation application.

  • Enter the Secure Area and log in.
  • Select “Student & Financial Aid
  • Then “Student Records
  • and “Apply to Graduate
  • Choose the “Graduate Degree Application

The application for graduation must be received by the end of the first week of classes of the term in which the degree will be granted. Degree and/or certificate candidates must comply with all deadlines set forth in The Graduate School calendar. Failure to do so will delay the candidate’s graduation. These deadlines are necessary to enable everyone involved with the candidate’s degree clearance to complete the process in an orderly and academically sound manner. Candidates who apply for a given graduation and fail to qualify must reapply for a later graduation. Diplomas and transcripts of students owing money to the University will be held until the account is cleared.

The graduation fee ($35 for Certificate$125 for Masters, Doctorate and Specialist in Education) will be added to your student account.

Payment should be made to:
Cashiers and Student Accounts Office
UNCG, PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170

Master’s Candidates: If changes have been made to the Plan of Study, a
revised Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of
the third week of classes of the semester in which the student applies for
graduation.

Certificate Candidates: Students who have applied to graduate from a
certificate program should submit a Plan of Study to the Graduate School by
the end of the third week of classes in that final semester.

Doctoral & Master’s Candidates: All doctoral and master’s candidates who are
preparing a formal thesis/dissertation, should be aware of the following
deadlines (see the University’s Academic Calendar).

  1. Final oral examination in defense of doctoral dissertation. Master’s
    thesis candidates should check with their thesis committee chair
    regarding an acceptable oral defense date (if required).
  2. Submission of thesis/dissertation online with The Graduate School for
    approval.
  3. Submission of approved thesis/dissertation with The Graduate School.

Policy concerning incomplete grades is frequently misunderstood. No grade of incomplete (I) may be carried beyond graduation, including incompleteness in courses not required for the degree. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a final grade has been submitted prior to graduation. If a final grade has not been recorded by the deadline date for degree clearance, it is the student’s responsibility to check with The Graduate School to determine his/her status.
A GRADE OF I CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH A GRADE OF W.

The dissertation must be formatted according to the instructions provided in the Guide for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations. A copy of the guide can be obtained from The Graduate School or linked on the ETD page.

The dissertation must be submitted online to The Graduate School for approval following the final oral examination. The original signed title and approval pages must also be submitted to The Graduate School. Deadline dates for submission of the dissertation are listed on the University’s Academic Calendar and in The University Catalog under Calendar of Events.

The thesis must be formatted according to the instructions provided in the Guide for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations. A copy of the guide can be obtained from The Graduate School or linked on the ETD page.

A copy of your thesis must be submitted online to The Graduate School for approval prior to final submission, which must include the original signed title and approval pages. Deadline dates for submission of the thesis are listed on the University’s Academic Calendar.

Degrees are awarded after each semester and the second summer term. A commencement ceremony is held in December for Summer Session and Fall Semester graduates, and in May for Spring Semester graduates. Diplomas will be mailed to the student’s permanent address as it is listed on the Application for Graduation unless a new address is provided.

Students Seeking Professional School Licensure should fill out the Graduate Licensure Application.

Continue to the Graduation Application Online Form

  • Enter the Secure Area and log in.
  • Select “Student & Financial Aid
  • Then “Student Records
  • and “Apply to Graduate
  • Choose the “Graduate Degree Application