Graduation Information

Apply to Graduate - When, Where and How

Applications for graduation are available in the Registration & Records Office in Room 101 of the Student Services Building.

----  You need to apply to graduate at least one full semester prior to
         the term in which you plan to complete your degree. ---

We will accept applications up to a year in advance of your graduation date and through the last day of your final semester. We ask that you apply at least one full semester prior to your final term so your credits can be checked and any problems solved in time for you to graduate. If you apply late, it may be impossible to add a class if deficient in some area. It may also mean that your name will not be on lists of graduating seniors including the program printed for the commencement ceremony. You may change your graduation date at any time by notifying the Registration and Records office.

Commencement

You are invited to attend the commencement ceremony held the semester in which you graduate. Because there is no summer commencement, August candidates are invited to attend the May commencement ceremony. Attendance at commencement is optional and does not mean you have been approved to graduate.  Click here to see commencement dates.

Evaluation of Credits - Make sure you have everything you need to graduate

• When you fill out an application, we start a graduation file for you and add your name to the graduation list for the term indicated on your application. We will check your general degree requirements before your final semester and notify you of any deficiencies in time to change your schedule.
  
• You may also make an appointment in our office to have your credits checked. We will always be happy to answer any questions you have.
  
• You need to make sure your majors and minors are declared in the departments before you fill out the graduation application.
  
• It is also up to you to make sure you have met all the requirements for each major and minor. We do not have majors and minors approved until the middle of the semester in which you are graduating and by that time, it is usually too late to add a class if something is missing.
  
• It is your responsibility to make sure all the requirements for your degree are complete. Check your Degree Progress Report and ask questions about any requirement that does not show complete.
  
• All memos or exceptions, all transfer work and grade changes must be on file in the Registration and Records Office within 30 days after the official graduation date. If all your requirements are not complete, you will not be approved for graduation.
  
• Contact Patty or Pat in the Registration and Records Office if you have any questions about your DPR or requirements for graduation.

Graduation Checklist

• Declare all majors and minors.
• Apply to graduate at least one full semester before your final   semester.
• See advisor and make sure major/minor will be complete.
• Make sure all your general degree requirements are complete. 
• Have an official transcript sent for any transfer course not showing
  on the DPR.
• Keep your addresses (home and local) up to date.
• Pay attention to your email and hot topics for important graduation
  information.
• See Patty or Pat in Registration and Records if you have any
  questions.
• Notify Patty or Pat in Registration and Records if you need to    change your graduation date or if any information on your    application changes. 

Deadline for grades

All grades for courses which apply toward the degree must be on file in the Records Office 30 days after that last day of the term. If you are transferring credits from another school, please request that your transcripts be sent to this office immediately upon completion. If you have an incomplete or NR grade, your work must be completed and a grade turned in within that 30 days.

Honors

Honors are awarded as follows:

GPA of 3.5-3.74 = cum laude (honors)
GPA of 3.75-3.89 = magna cum laude (high honors)
GPA of 3.9-4.0 = summa cum laude (highest honors)

The GPA for honors is calculated using all college credits from UWSP and any transfer schools. You can find this GPA at the end of your DPR under "Additional University Graduation Requirements" (Earn a minimum 2.00 GPA overall, including both UWSP and transfer credits).

Please be aware that this term's grades cannot be included for recognition of honors on the commencement program. Those students eligible to wear an honors cord at the commencement ceremony are issued one when the caps and gowns are distributed at the University Bookstore. If you have questions concerning honors, please call the Registration and Records Office at (715) 346-4301.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to your home address approximately eight to ten weeks after the end of the semester. If you need verification of your degree before then, you may order a transcript or request a verification statement to be sent as soon as all your grades have been received in this office.

Our diplomas are 8" x 10". It will state your name, your degree (not your majors), and the date you graduated.

Graduation fee

A bill for the graduation fee will be sent in the month before graduation to all candidates for the bachelor's degree ($25) and master's degree ($30). This charge is necessary to cover the costs of the commencement ceremony, postage, diplomas and other materials. The fee does not cover the cost of the cap and gown for commencement.

Degree Verifications

The following information is intended for third parties and other agencies needing to verify degrees for UW-Stevens Point students.

As of Fall 2005, the Registrar's Office at UW-Stevens Point has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to act as our agent for all verifications of student degrees.

National Student Clearinghouse can be contacted at:

National Student Clearing House
2191 Fox Mill Road, Suite 300
Herndon, VA 20171-3019

Tel: (703) 742-4200
Fax: (703) 742-4239

Email: degreeverify@studentclearinghouse.org