EIU Graduate School

Applying for Graduation:

Graduate Degrees

• Applications for graduation are submitted through PAWS. When applying for graduation, please choose the semester in which you expect to have all degree requirements completed. If you have questions regarding your graduation application, please contact Lana Beasley, Graduate School Program Coordinator and Certification Officer, via email (libeasley@eiu.edu) or phone 217-581-7490.
  
  
• After applying for graduation, a degree audit detailing your academic progression, will be e-mailed to you. This degree audit will inform you of any coursework deficiencies you may have. You may also run your own audit at any time by following this link: https://degreeaudit.eiu.edu/respdashboard/
  
  
• Commencement Ceremony:  Information regarding the commencement ceremony (such as cap & gown ordering, ticket availability, etc.) can be found here:  EIU Commencement. EIU holds Fall and Spring Commencement Ceremonies. Students completing requirements during the Summer Term will be invited to participate in the Fall commencement ceremony.

Participation in a commencement ceremony does not signify completion of a degree.

No graduate student is awarded a degree and diploma until the Graduate School Certification Officer has provided the Office of the Registrar with official verification of the completion of all degree requirements.

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  Diploma covers are distributed at the commencement ceremonies. The diplomas are mailed to the address listed on your graduation application approximately six weeks after you graduate. For further information regarding the receipt of your diploma, ordering duplicates, etc., please visit Office of the Registrar: Diplomas

Deadlines for Applying for Graduation

Commencement by Exceptionality 

GRADUATE STUDENTS, may request to graduate by exceptionality. This exception allows graduate students to participate in a commencement ceremony prior to the term in which degree requirements are actually completed.

Commencement ceremonies are only offered at the conclusion of the Fall and Spring terms. Because of this, graduate students completing their graduate degree requirements over the summer may be granted permission to participate in the commencement ceremony preceding their final term. The same exception can apply to graduate students with only thesis, internship or practicum left to complete.

The deadlines to apply for participating in commencement by exceptionality are:

• The first Tuesday in November for the Fall semester.
• The Wednesday after Spring Break for the Spring semester. 

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY: To apply for exceptionality, please fill out the form at this link: Exceptionality Form.

If you are an undergraduate student, please go to the Undergraduate Students applying for exceptionality to walk in Commencement page for more information

Graduate students with questions regarding Commencement by Exceptionality should contact Lana Beasley, Graduate School Program Coordinator and Certification Officer, via email (libeasley@eiu.edu) or phone 217-581-7490. 

Requests for Early Certification

If a student has completed all requirements for a graduate degree prior to the end of a semester, he/she may request early certification from the certifying dean of The Graduate School.

Early certification certifies that the student has completed all requirements for a degree and early certification can be posted on transcripts. In addition, a letter from the Graduate School office can be sent to a prospective employer, school district or college/university verifying that all degree requirements were met on a specific date.

The degree is not formally posted until the end of the term. Students wishing to request early certification should following this link: Early Certification Form.

Graduation Resources:

• Application for Graduation
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Commencement Office
• Request for Early Certification
• Transfer Credit Form
• Degree Audit