Graduation

Graduate students completing their degree in the current term must apply for graduation.  Be sure to select the correct term when submitting your graduation application. Only applications for those expected to graduate in the current term are being accepted at this time. 

• Graduation application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another term.  The Graduate Graduation Application fee is added to your  CashNet balance.  You will not be prompted to pay the application fee at the time you submit your graduation application.  
• It is important to verify in Degree Works that all program requirements have been or will be met prior to the end of this semester to avoid paying additional processing fees for subsequent applications for the same program.
  

HOW TO SUBMIT A GRADUATION APPLICATION?

1. View your Degree Works audit.  If any classes in the Fall Through or Over the Limit section should be included in Degree Requirements, a Degree Works Management form should be submitted by your program coordinator and processed prior to submitting your application. Please, contact your advisor if you have any questions about degree requirements.
2. Go to the graduation application and  click on  Go
3. For Select a Term, choose the most current term and then click on Submit.
4. If the curriculum is correct, select the program and continue
5. If the program curricula is inaccurate, please contact the Graduate School at ucagradschool@uca.edu.   Do not submit a graduation
   application until the curriculum is updated.
6. For the Graduation Date select the current term. The graduation date in the system and the graduation ceremony may not match with the current term
   and will be updated when the graduation application is processed.
7. For Diploma Name select the name that you want to appear on your diploma.   NOTE:  This name will also be used on your
   graduation name card which will be announced at the commencement ceremony. Name Changes must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office but will not
   automatically update on the graduation application unless it is submitted prior to your graduation application submission. Send an email to gradschool@uca.edu
   to notify the Graduate School of a name change for your diploma/certificate.
8. For Diploma/Certificate Mailing Address select the appropriate mailing address. If the information is inaccurate, the information can be edited.  REMINDER:  Since diplomas/certificates will be mailed approximately 4-8 weeks after the end of the semester, use an address that will be correct at that time. Also, submit a Change of Address form with the USPS in order to have your diploma/certificate
   forwarded to your new address.
9. On the Graduate Application Payment page, for Payment Method select Graduate Graduation Application Fee $40.  This non-refundable processing fee
   will be added to your student account to be paid through your CashNet account.
10. On the Graduation Application Summary page, review the information for accuracy before submitting the application.  If anything is incorrect, use the back
    arrow and correct any errors.
11. A non-refundable $40 processing fee will be posted to your account and You will receive a confirmation that the application has been submitted.  Your
    diploma/certificate will not be released until this fee has been paid.

If all degree requirements (i.e. completion of all coursework, comprehensive exams, final approval of thesis by the Graduate School, removal of I  grades, etc.) are not completed by the end of the term (the last day of final exams), the student must submit a new application and pay the $40 processing fee to graduate in the subsequent term when ALL the requirements have been met.

Failure to apply before the end of the term will result in a delay of degree award by one semester. Students will receive a confirmation email after the application has been processed by the Graduate School.

PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

• Order your cap, gown, and hood: Regalia can be ordered through the UCA Bookstore; contact the bookstore for more information (501-450-3166). NOTE: Undergraduate gowns are distinctly different and may not be worn by graduate students.  You must have the appropriate regalia (gown and UCA hood) to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

•  Incomplete Grades & Transfer Credits: Official transcripts showing outstanding transfer credits and final grades for all incomplete work credits should be submitted to the Graduate School as soon as possible. The final degree audit cannot be performed until this is accomplished.
• Clear University Accounts: All outstanding accounts with University Offices should be cleared as soon as possible. A restriction will be placed on the academic record of any student with outstanding debt to the Business Office, Library, Bookstore, Health Services Office, or University Police.
• Complete an Exit Interview: Student Financial Aid (450-3140) and/or Student Accounts (450-5015) may require an exit interview of students participating in student loan programs. Please contact these offices for specific details if you believe this applies to you.
• Order Announcements and Class Rings: Announcements can be ordered here. Contact the UCA Bookstore regarding class rings 
  
• Transcripts may be ordered through the Registrar’s Office.
  *Please be sure to check the box “hold for degree award” if you need the degree award date to be reflected on your transcript.

AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY?

• Once final grades are reported by the faculty, the Graduate School will review each candidate’s application for degree or certificate completion.  Students will be notified when the certificate or degree is conferred. Diplomas/certificates are mailed through Parchment
• The diploma / certificate is printed with your name (as listed on the application), the type of degree / certificate awarded, and the date the diploma /  certificate is awarded.
• If your diploma or certificate mailing address changes, send an email with the new address to ucagradschool@uca.edu. Changing your address on myUCA does not update your diploma or certificate mailing address.
• An additional diploma/certificate can be ordered through your Parchment account.

NOTE: The University of Central Arkansas is not responsible for damage or loss that results from the actions of the US Postal Service.