Graduation
Follow These Steps to Graduation Day
If you’re within three classes from finishing your degree, or if you are a doctoral student and have defended your dissertation, and plan on attending National University’s annual commencement exercises, you may be ready to begin the graduation process. Before you begin, plan on spending a few minutes with your academic advisor to check your schedule of classes with your academic advisement report (the document that specified your course requirements after your academic records were officially evaluated) to see if you have met your requirements for graduation.
Graduation is a three-step process:
Step 1
Submit the application for Graduation form during the application period for your degree conferral date. Applications are available for submission electronically online through your Student Portal.
Please select the conferral date that falls after the end date of your final course. Your selected conferral date may be adjusted at the discretion of the graduation department.
| Degree Conferral Dates* | Application Periods |
|---|---|
| 12/15/2024 | Apply by 12/13/2024 |
| 01/19/2025 | Apply by 01/17/2025 |
| 02/16/2025 | Apply by 02/14/2025 |
| 03/16/2025 | Apply by 03/14/2025 |
* The conferral date is the date in which your degree will be officially awarded.
Step 2
Complete all academic requirements for your degree by the deadline for course completion. All courses must be completed prior to the degree conferral date. In the event that you have not completed requirements by your anticipated conferral date, the graduation department will automatically move your application to the next conferral period.
Step 3
Diplomas are automatically mailed out 8 to 10 weeks after the conferral date to the address on file. A link to the digital diploma will be sent to your NU student email address 2-4 weeks after your conferral date. Please note that both the paper and digital diploma cannot be released if you have an outstanding financial obligation with the University.
Once your balance has cleared, please notify the Graduation department by emailing [email protected]. In your email please include your name, student ID and your current mailing address.
If you have any questions about your balance, please contact Student Business Services. They can be reached at [email protected] or (858) 642-8550.