Graduation Process
5 Step Graduation Process
- Perform an Evaluation in DegreeWorks with Academic Advisor.
- Apply online through MyInfo for graduation.
- Spring 2021 Online applications are now available. For students applying for Fall 2020 please continue to use the traditional paper application.
- Participate in Priority Registration for the upcoming semester.
- Attend your Commencement ceremony (optional).
- Receive your Diploma to the address you provide.
Click each drop down menu below for additional information.
- Does your DegreeWorks worksheet reflect your academic progress as you would expect (if not contact your advisor)?
- Are all requirements on Degree Works shown as either completed (green check mark) or in progress (blue tilde) or will they be after you register for next semester? (see Example below)
- Will you be able to successfully complete all of the classes remaining for your degree by the end of next semester?
- Will you have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of next semester?
If you answered "yes" to all of these, move on to Step #2: Application
Graduate students, please visit The Graduate School’s website for application process. Turn in applications to the Graduate School.
Undergraduate Students
Schedule a meeting with your Academic Advisor and Certifying Officer. Once approved, a note will be added to yourDegreeWorks Worksheet allowing you access to the online graduation application. The application can be found in MyInfo under the Student Services Tab.
- Separate notes are required for each Bachelors degree, Associates degree, and minor being awarded.
- A Graduation Fee of $40 will be charged to your account for each Degree application. This includes new applications that are submitted to change your term of graduation. Failure to pay will result in a financial hold being placed on your account.
- An additional fee of $30 will be charged to your account for any In Absentia Registration.
Graduate School Application Deadlines
- June 10th for Summer graduation, submitted the semester of intended graduation
- September 6th for Fall graduation, submitted the semester of intended graduation
- February 5th for Spring graduation, submitted the semester of intended graduation
For application details, please see the Graduate School's website.
Undergraduate Application Deadlines
Bachelors and Associates Degrees
- October 1st for Spring graduation, submitted the preceding Fall semester
- March 1st for Summer or Fall graduation, submitted the preceding Spring semester
Undergraduate Certificates
- December 1st for Spring graduation, submitted the preceding Fall semester
- March 1st for Summer or Fall graduation, submitted the preceding Spring semester
Undergraduate Applications
The Graduation Application will be available In MyInfo under Student Services once a student has met with their Academic Advisor and Certifying office and their Degreeworks notes have been added.Distinction Between Second Degree and Second Major
A 2nd Major must meet all departmental requirements for the major. Core completion for one major satisfies Core for all additional majors. Completion of an additional major is indicated on transcripts; diplomas list only the primary major.A 2nd Degree requires 30 additional, unique credits, and nine additional, unique, upper-division credits. Core completion for a first degree satisfies Core for all additional degrees. Additional degrees are indicated on transcripts, and each degree is awarded an individual diploma.- Visit your advisor to create a Plan in Degree Works.
- Watch for the Registrar’s Office to announce Priority Registration, and register on your designated day based on your approved Degree Works Plan.
- Review final grades after current semester ends, adjust upcoming semester registration accordingly.
- Review academic standing. As stated in the Undergraduate Catalog, "students must have a 2.00 term and cumulative GPA to graduate."
- Review and monitor Degree Works notes section for Registration Audit results, adjust
upcoming semester registration accordingly.
- If a discrepancy is found, please work with your advisor to get it resolved as soon as possible and notify the Office of the Registrar.
- If no discrepancy is found, get ready for Commencement!
Registering In Absentia
A student must be registered at Montana State University the semester of his or her graduation. If the student is not required to take any courses at Montana State University during the final semester, he or she must process an “in absentia” registration and pay a registration fee of $30 before the end of the third week of the semester he or she expects to earn a degree. Arrangements for this registration must be made by the student with the Registrar.You've made it this far, now it's time to celebrate!
Please keep in mind, though, that the Commencement ceremony is just that: Ceremonial. Even though candidates walk across the stage and are recognized for their wonderful achievements, final semester grades have not yet been posted at that time, and no degrees have been awarded. The awarding process will start the week after Commencement, so keep an eye on your DegreeWorks for the final confirmation of your degree being awarded.
Note: There is no walk through or practice for Commencement. Please just show up on time on the day of the ceremony in your regalia, and our staff will direct you from there.
Visit the Commencement website for details.
- Log into MyInfo to update your Mailing Address to where you would like your diploma shipped.
- Review final semester grades when they have been posted, and monitor your Degree Works notes for confirmation of your degree being awarded.
- If an issue is found, the Registrar's Office will first work to resolve it through your department, and if we need you, we will call or email you. Please make yourself available.
- If no issues are found, your degree will be posted to your official transcript, and
you can expect to receive your diploma in the following time frame:
- Spring Graduates – July
- Summer Graduates – October
- Fall Graduates – February
Set Yourself Up for Success
- Know your application deadlines- (see "Application" drop down).
- Monitor your progress towards graduation.
- Monitor your DegreeWorks for notes on discrepancies.
- Monitor your preferred email inbox.
Undergraduate Graduation Checklist
Graduate students, please visit The Graduate School’s website for dates & deadlines, graduation applications, etc.
Semester Prior to Graduation
For example, If you are planning to graduate in Spring, complete these steps during the preceding Fall semester.
See EVALUATION dropdown above.
See APPLICATION dropdown above.
Semester of Graduation
For example, If you are planning to graduate in Spring, complete these steps during the Spring semester.
Please check your DegreeWorks worksheet for any notes pertinent to your graduation application. You should have one of two graduation audit notes in the Notes Block at the bottom of your DegreeWorks worksheet. Notes should state either:
Graduation REGISTRATION audit found no discrepancies with your application…., or
Graduation REGISTRATION audit found a discrepancy…
Note: You may have several notes if you are seeking a combination of credentials (multiple
majors, minors, degrees).
IF you have decided to postpone your graduation, please withdraw your graduation application. To withdraw your application, submit an e-mail to the appropriate Academic Auditor in the Registrar’s Office or have your department submit one on your behalf requesting to withdraw your application for graduation.
Note: There will be a Degree Candidate hold on your Degree Works account. This hold requires NO ACTION FROM YOU and will be removed by our office after your degree is awarded.
Details TBA.