Graduation certification for undergraduate degrees is coordinated through the Lumpkin College Dean's Office. (Students completing a graduate degree must apply through the Graduate School). Questions and answers regarding applying for graduation and additional details are listed below. For further assistance, please contact the LCBT Certification Officer, Tiffany Swalls at 217-581-6902, taswalls@eiu.edu, 4805 Lumpkin Hall.
Q: When should I apply for graduation?
A: It is strongly recommended that eligible students apply for graduation at least one full year before they intend to graduate. Students who have completed 60 semester hours or more are eligible to apply for graduation through PAWS. (See published deadline dates for applying or reapplying for graduation.)
Q: How do I apply for graduation?
A: Sign into PAWS, click on "Student," then "Apply for Graduation." On the Applications and Degrees page, click "New Application" and carefully check the listed curriculum information. If anything (major, minor, concentration) is missing or incorrect, stop and contact the LCBT Certification Officer, Tiffany Swalls, at 217-581-6902, taswalls@eiu.edu. If the curriculum is correct, click "Begin Application". On the next page, follow the directions for completing the application and be sure to click "Submit Application" when finished. After submission of the application, an email will be sent to your EIU account with an initial degree audit.
Q: When should I reapply for graduation?
A: Students who have applied for graduation, but need to change their date of graduation, or diploma information, must reapply for graduation through PAWS (see published deadline dates for applying or reapplying for graduation). No additional fees are charged for reapplying. Students only wanting to change their major, minor, concentration, option, or catalog year MUST notify their certification officer (Tiffany Swalls) so that a revised audit can be sent to them. There is no need to reapply for graduation.
Q: How do I reapply for graduation?
A: This is done through the same process as the initial Application for Graduation detailed above. However, when on the "Applications and Degrees" page, click on the link for the existing application, make any necessary changes to the graduation term or diploma information, and click "Save Changes".
Q: What are the deadlines for applying/reapplying for graduation?
A: Students must apply or reapply for graduation prior to the deadlines established for any given semester (see published deadline dates for applying or reapplying for graduation).
Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about my Degree Audit or graduation certification?
A: Questions should be directed to Tiffany Swalls, Certification Officer for the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology, Lumpkin Hall 4805, 217-581-6902, taswalls@eiu.edu.
Q: Can I participate in the commencement ceremony even though I am not completing requirements this semester?
A: Requests for participation in a commencement ceremony by exceptionality may be granted according to the following guidelines:
• Students who have applied to graduate summer term and are able to complete all of their degree requirements by the end of the summer term may be granted permission to participate in the preceding spring commencement ceremony;
• Students with only student teaching, internship, or practicum to be completed may be granted permission to participate in the commencement ceremony preceding their final term.
Those who qualify for participation in a commencement ceremony by exceptionality must complete a request form, (Exceptionality Request Form), prior to the following deadlines:
Regardless of participation in a commencement ceremony, no student will be certified for graduation and awarded a degree and diploma until the college certification officer has provided the Office of the Registrar with official verification of the completion of all degree requirements.
Q: Where can I find information regarding the commencement ceremony?
A: Go to the Commencement link on EIU's homepage for further information regarding graduation times, tickets, cap/gown ordering information, etc. Questions concerning the commencement ceremony should be directed to the Commencement Office at (217) 581-6616.
Please note: EIU does not hold a summer commencement ceremony. Students completing requirements during the summer term are automatically eligible to participate in the next fall ceremony, or may apply for exceptionality to participate in the preceding spring ceremony (Exceptionality Request Form).
Q: What do I need to do if I am completing my last graduation requirement(s) at another institution?
A: It is the student's responsibility to notify the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology certification officer, Tiffany Swalls (taswalls@eiu.edu) of any courses being taken at other institutions. Final official transcripts must be sent to the Office of the Registrar (600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920 ) by the published deadline dates for completing graduation requirements.
The diploma will not be given to the student and the conferral of the degree will not be recorded on the student's permanent record until all requirements are complete and posted to the Eastern Illinois University academic record. If the student does not complete all graduation requirements at the end of the grading period, he/she must reapply for graduation in PAWS for a later semester/term.
Q: How soon after graduation can I expect to receive my diploma?
A: The Registrar's Office will mail diplomas approximately 6-8 weeks after the term ends. Inquiries concerning diplomas should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (217) 581-3511.
4800 Lumpkin Hall
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-3526
lumpkin@eiu.edu