Graduation
Congratulations on nearing your UW graduation! Please review the following important information about applying to graduate and your diploma, plus other information that will be helpful for you.
Application for Graduation
Undergraduate Students
If you are an undergraduate student, you will need to complete an application for graduation with your departmental adviser. Degrees are not automatically awarded when requirements have been satisfied. It is your responsibility to apply for degrees and certificates.
When to apply
Applications must be submitted no later than the third Friday of the quarter you plan to graduate. You can also submit them up to 3 quarters before you plan to graduate. Once you apply, you are eligible for Graduating Senior Priority registration.
If you are graduating in summer quarter but want to participate in the spring commencement before graduating will need to apply by the third Friday of that spring quarter.
Please go to the Academic Calendar for all of the graduation application and Graduating Senior Priority registration deadlines. You will want to meet with your adviser to complete your application before the deadline days so it can be submitted on time.
How to apply
You will need to meet with your departmental adviser to complete your graduation application. They will go online and create an application for you, and then you will get an email asking you to click on a link and verify the application information. Your application is not considered submitted until you verify the information, so it is important that you look for the email and follow the instructions.
If you have more than one option, major, or degree, will need to submit a graduation application for each one.
If you are submitting multiple applications, you will be asked to verify each one, so be sure to look for the emails.
Once you’ve applied
We encourage you to stay in touch with your departmental adviser(s) to make sure you are completing all degree requirements as planned. Using the Degree Audit tools in MyPlan will also help you stay on track.
You should also check your UW email regularly (including any spam folders) for important communications from the Office of the University Registrar about your graduation application or graduation status.
After the quarter you applied to graduate has ended
While grades are due at 5pm on the Tuesday after the last day of the quarter and are then posted to official transcripts the following day, as listed on the University’s academic calendar, it may take several weeks for degrees to be posted to transcripts once the quarter has ended.
Students who complete all requirements to graduate will get an email confirming their official graduation status after the degree is granted. This email will have the subject “University of Washington Notification of Degree Posting: Next Steps.” It is sent from registra@uw.edu to the student’s uw.edu email. Unofficial transcripts on MyUW (on the Academics Tab, in the Grades box) during this time will indicate when a degree has been posted.
Once your degree has been posted, you may then order official transcripts or request a degree certification to verify to third parties that you have earned your degree.
Students who do not receive this email, have not graduated (even if they attended Commencement). Students should meet with their adviser to make sure how to meet all graduation requirements.
Graduate Students
If you are a graduate student, you will want to review the Graduate School’s graduation dates and deadlines or contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) at uwgrad@uw.edu or 206-685-2630 for additional information.
Other Useful Information
Degree Certification
Certification for UW Graduates
Graduates of the University of Washington cannot receive a Degree Certificate through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Options for Degree Certification include:
- An Official Transcript can be requested for degree verification purposes.
- Email the UW Office of the University Registrar office at regoff@uw.edu to receive one. Please be sure to include your name, student ID #, date of birth, and a mailing or email address where you wish the Degree Certification be sent.
Faculty and Staff Looking to Verify a UW Degree
- Students can provide copies of their official or unofficial transcript
- Student Database (SDB)
- Electronic Advising Record System (EARS)
- Email the Office of the University Registrar at regoff@uw.edu from uw.edu email requesting a students Degree Certification. Staff and faculty must provide the student’s full name and student number in the request.
Non-UW Third Parties
Third parties requiring proof of a Degree Certification can request the UW student provide a copy of their official transcript.
The University of Washington does not verify degrees or enrollment for third parties via email or fax or mail. Third parties may request and pay for verification from the National Student Clearinghouse.
UW Commencement
The Office of Ceremonies is responsible for UW Commencement. Commencement information including event schedule, ticket information, parking, and apparel can be found on the Commencement website. Questions can be directed to their office by email at commence@uw.edu or phone at 206-543-2592.
UW Data Accounts
After graduation, you will eventually lose access to your UW accounts. These accounts will be deleted and you will permanently lose any files and emails associated with them. Go to the UW-IT Data Retention Guide for Graduating Students to ensure that your UW data will be preserved and your UW email is properly forwarded.
UW Career and Internship Center
To prepare yourself for post-graduation success review the After Graduation webpage.
Undergraduate Graduation Checklist
Refer to the UW Undergraduate Checklist for Graduation.