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GRADUATION VS. COMMENCEMENT:

What's the difference?

It's common to hear the terms graduation and commencement used interchangeably--but they actually mean two different things. Understanding the difference can help you plan for both.

GRADUATION

Graduation is the official completion of your degree. It means you:

• Finished all coursework required for your program.
• Earned the necessary credit hours for your program.
• Completed any other academic requirements, such as an internship or thesis.

If you have completed those requirements--Congratulations! You are eligible to Apply to Graduate!

Applying to Graduate

Applying to graduate is done through your PAWS account. When applying, make sure the address in PAWS is where you want your diploma sent. Then select the semester you expect to complete your degree requirements and submit your application by the deadline below:

What happens next? After you apply, the Graduate School Certification Officer will review your degree audit to confirm you're on track to graduate. The degree audit will then be emailed to you, noting any outstanding academic requirements. Be sure to watch your Panther Mail for this importa