Graduation Requirements

If you are planning to complete all of your degree requirements this academic year, please note the deadlines below for submitting your Application for Graduation or Application for Certificate Clearance. Please note that there are two applications:

1. MA, MEd, MAT, EdS, and EdD students - Application for Graduation (PDF)
2. Graduate Certificate students - Application for Certificate Completion (PDF)

Please submit your application in person or via fax to the Office of Student Services, 2136 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, Fax: (202) 994-1214.

(Doctoral students should contact Alicia Bellezza-Watts for specific instructions, (202) 994-9274, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

Students who submit an Application for Graduation after the published deadlines may be charged a late fee, are not guaranteed commencement materials and will not appear in the commencement program. Please check the Commencement  web site for the most up-to-date information regarding Commencement activities, cap and gown reservations and related deadlines.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you indicate that you will not participate in the May Commencement Ceremony on your graduation application, you will not receive Commencement materials from the University.

Application Deadlines & Conferral Dates 

For the most up-to-date graduation application deadlines and degree conferral dates, please visit the Registrar's graduation page.

Eligible summer graduates who elect to attend the preceding May ceremony must apply for graduation no later than February 1. (This is NOT an option for Doctoral students). 

Degree Clearance & Diplomas

The Office of Student Services clears all GSEHD students for graduation. Please note that degree clearance for everyone other then doctoral students usually takes place after the official degree conferral date (click here to view these dates) and cannot occur until final grades are posted and confirmation of fulfillment of all other requirements on your program plan (comprehensive exams, program plan changes, PRAXIS exams, etc.) has been received by the Office of Student Services. If all your grades are not posted, please check with your instructor(s). According to the Office of the Registrar, “This may take anywhere from 8-12 weeks after the semester ends.” Your official transcript and diploma will reflect the official degree conferral date.

Remember that you are required to be registered in the semester in which your degree will be conferred. If you need an additional semester(s) to complete requirements, you must remain enrolled. If you have completed all your coursework but still have outstanding requirements (such as Praxis or comprehensive examinations), you may register for Continuous Enrollment by submitting a request form and a registration transaction form (found on the Student Resources page) to the Advanced Degree Program Coordinator assigned to your program from the Office of Student Services.

You can verify that your degree has been conferred via your unofficial transcript on GWeb.

If you have not been cleared and believe that you have met all degree requirements, please contact your Advanced Degree Program Coordinator in the Office of Student Services.

If you have been cleared and have questions about your diploma, please refer to the Registrar’s Graduation Services Office.