Graduation
Apply by the deadline
Students must apply for graduation no later than the end of the Schedule Adjustment Period at the beginning of the semester in which they intend to graduate.
Students applying for a master's degree who are completing a graduate certificate in the same term should submit the Graduate Certification Completion form in addition to submitting a graduation application for their master's degree.
Verify your diploma details
- Your primary name will be printed on your diploma. This is the name that will display by default on your application for graduation. If you would like a different name from your student record printed, notify diploma@umd.edu. If you would like to print a name on your diploma that is not currently on your student record, see Name Change or Correction for instructions on adding a name to your record. Once the name change form is submitted, notify diploma@umd.edu that the new name should be reflected on your diploma.
- Review the degree(s) and major(s) listed in your application for accuracy (e.g. Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Science)
- Submit the address where your diploma should be mailed 8-12 weeks after the semester. Note: If you select to pick up your diploma in-person, your diploma will be mailed to UMD, and will not subsequently be mailed to another address.
| Submitting an application for graduation does not guarantee that a student will receive a degree. A student's degree will be conferred only after all final grades have been submitted, and it has been verified that they have adequately completed all degree requirements. |
UMD hosts a commencement ceremony each May which includes graduates from the previous summer, previous winter, and current spring term.
Guidelines on participation in commencement activities for undergraduate and graduate students with pending degree requirements
Undergraduate and graduate students who are close to completing their degree requirements may be permitted by their college, at the request of the student, to participate in spring departmental, college, and/or campus commencement activities if they can demonstrate that they intend to complete all degree requirements before the first day of classes in the next fall semester. Colleges may define criteria for summer graduates to be considered for participation in May commencement ceremonies, such as the number or type of credits or courses left to complete the degree. Students should consult school or college commencement websites for details.
Participation in commencement activities (including the main commencement ceremony) does not imply degree completion or graduation, nor official degree completion in that particular spring semester. All degree requirements must be completed before a degree and diploma can be awarded.
Undergraduate students who are pursuing a double degree, and who intend to complete all graduation requirements for one of the degrees before the first day of fall classes, may participate in the ceremonies for that degree. Students who are pursuing a double major must complete all degree requirements for both majors before the first day of fall classes to be able to participate in these ceremonies.
Procedurally, students who plan to complete their degree requirements in summer and wish to participate in spring commencement ceremonies must contact their academic college (in the case of undergraduate students) or academic department (in the case of graduate students). If the request is approved, the college or department will notify the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) as soon as possible by sending the student’s name, UID, and email address to Diploma Services (diploma@umd.edu). OUR will then communicate with the student and the ticketing office accordingly. Once this process is completed, the student will be eligible to receive tickets for the main ceremony and may participate in the department or college ceremonies. In the interest of having the printed main commencement program be as accurate as possible, students’ names will be included in this printed program only if they are expected to graduate in the spring. Depending on the timing of when OUR receives notification, however, late additions and deletions may not be accurately recorded in the printed program. Colleges and departments have the discretion to include the names of summer graduates who participate in the spring ceremonies in their printed programs if they wish.
Double check your name and address
- Login to Testudo, select "Graduation Application and Diploma Status" then scroll down to "SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS" to review the diploma name and mailing address that was submitted on your application.
- If you need to change your diploma mailing address or your diploma name, email diploma@umd.edu before the posted deadlines. Don't forget to include your UID in the email.
Plan ahead & stay informed
- Review Diploma Delivery for information on when degrees will post to transcripts and when diplomas will be placed in the mail.
- Be on the lookout for emails to your @terpmail.umd.edu or @umd.edu email address from both diploma@umd.edu (Diploma Services) and info@cecredentialtrust.com (CeCredentialTrust) for important diploma reminders and USPS tracking information.
- Be ready to receive your diploma tube in the mail (see Diploma Delivery FAQ's for sizes and instructions for opening the tube without damaging your diploma).
Check your printed diploma for accuracy
- Once your diploma is received, check that the information printed is correct.
- Graduates have six months from the receipt of their diploma to notify Office of the University Registrar of grammatical errors on their diploma. After this six-month period, a diploma remake order is required.
Other diploma options
- Graduates have the option to purchase a Certified Electronic Diploma for $13.95.
- Graduates have the option to purchase a Diploma Remake for $25.
- UMD-specific diploma frames are available for purchase through Dormify.