About Degree Services

Degree Services reviews degree applicants' degree audits and confirms candidates will satisfy all Program of Study (POS) university, college, major, minor, or certificate requirements. This unit is also responsible for managing diploma information for graduating students and alumni seeking duplicate or replacement diplomas.

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Degree Services

Oversees degree applications, verifies completion of degree requirements, and confers degrees and awards.

Degree Application

Students should apply to graduate for the session in which all requirements will be met. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors before completing a degree application.

Diplomas

Diplomas for new graduates will be sent to your diploma delivery address 4–6 weeks after graduation. New graduates receive a traditional printed diploma and a CeDiploma (certified electronic diploma). 

Degree Audit

The degree audit is an academic planning tool that allows students and advisors to review programs of study (POS) and progress toward completion of university, college, and POS requirements.

Degree Conferral

Degrees are conferred after final grades are approved and all degree requirements have been met during the session in which the student applied to graduate.

All dates are approximate, you will receive emails from Degree Services as processes complete.

Degree conferral approximate timeline
Approximate dateprocess
One week after final examsGrades are due and added to students' records.
2–3 weeks after final examsDegree candidates are reviewed for eligibility to graduate. All transfer coursework and grades for Incompletes must be on students' academic record for a degree to be conferred.
3–4 weeks after final examsDegrees are conferred and degree notations appear on official transcripts with the last day of final exam week as the conferral date. Students receive an email when your degree is conferred.  
4–5 weeks after final examsPrint and digital diplomas (CeDiplomas) become available for students as degrees are conferred. You will receive an email when your digital diploma is released, and a second email when your printed diploma is shipped.

Graduation and Commencement

Graduation and commencement are two related, yet separate processes at the University of Iowa.

  • Graduation is applying for a degree, completing your degree requirements, having your degree conferred, and receiving your diploma.
  • Commencement is the ritual of the conferring of degrees through a ceremony with your classmates and guests. Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional and does not affect earning your degree or receiving your diploma.
  • Applying for a degree does not sign you up to attend commencement, you must RSVP in MyUI to be individually recognized during a ceremony. 

Commencement Information

Thinking about participating in a commencement ceremony? Check out the commencement website for details.