Graduation

To graduate, a student must file a degree application with the Office of the University Registrar. The University graduation ceremonies are held in May. Students planning to complete BSPS, BALA, Certificate, Graduate Certificate or Master's degree requirements in the coming May or August must file a degree application by the last Friday in October. Students planning to complete degree requirements in December should file a degree application by the first Friday in February.

Students will be notified through SpiderBytes, the University's e-communication tool, to apply for the upcoming December, May and August graduations by the deadline date. Students who plan to complete requirements in the Summer School (for undergraduate students no more than 6 hours) participate in the May ceremony as prospective August graduates.

Degree applications are available online via BannerWeb at specified times or on the Registrar’s website.

Note: Transfer work will be accepted during the semester prior to graduation only with prior approval. CLEP examinations are considered transfer credits.

Graduation Attendance Policy

Students are required to attend the commencement ceremony for the award of the degree in person except by decision of the University not to do so. A student who expects to have a degree awarded at the spring commencement may request absentia status from the graduation ceremony by explaining in writing the circumstance that prevents participation. Students who have a degree application on file and anticipate summer completion of degree requirements are also expected to participate in the spring graduation ceremony. December School of Professional and Continuing Studies degree candidates are expected to participate in the graduation ceremony the May following degree completion. If a winter or summer degree candidate does not intend to participate in the ceremony a written statement requesting absentia must be submitted. The request should be addressed to the University Registrar and should be received no later than eight working days before the ceremony. The University Registrar will notify the degree candidate of the status granted by the University. Unless approved as absentia, a candidate for graduation who does not participate in the commencement ceremony does not graduate. Such candidate may graduate by again filing a degree application and by following the appropriate graduation attendance policy.

August degrees are conferred as of the date specified in the academic calendar, and diplomas are mailed to those qualified. December degrees are conferred as of the date specified in the academic calendar. Diplomas for December graduates are mailed to students who have previously participated in the commencement ceremony. Those who will be participating in a future ceremony will receive their diploma at that time.

Note: No degree is conferred if the student's responsibilities to the University have not been met. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, such matters as the payment of fees, parking fines and library fines, and the return of library books.

Degree With Honors (Latin Honors)

General academic honors of three ranks are awarded only to graduates receiving baccalaureate degrees on the basis of their cumulative grade point average of work completed at the University of Richmond.

Cum Laude: 3.20-3.49
Magna Cum Laude: 3.50-3.79
Summa Cum Laude: 3.80-4.00

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Academic Standing

Subpages