Degrees, Diplomas, and Transcripts

A degree is a credential.  There are three documents that provide evidence of that credential:  an official transcript, a diploma, and a formal letter of certification from the Graduate School.  These documents are available to students who have completed all of their degree requirements and have had their degrees conferred.

Upon completion of degree requirements and completion of the Application to Receive a Degree, the Graduate School works with the student's program to ensure that all degree requirements have been met.  If this is the case, the Graduate School posts the degree to the official transcript.  Degree postings usually do not appear on transcripts until very near the date of degree conferral.  As soon as the degree is posted, the transcript can be used as credential evidence for prospective employers, schools, etc.

Approximately a month after the degree conferral date, the Office of Registration and Records orders the diplomas for all students who earned a degree.  It can take as long as three months after the time the diplomas are ordered for the students to receive their diplomas, as they must be checked for errors.

Note:  Neither Diplomas nor formal transcripts are sent to students until all financial obligations to the University are met.  Questions about diplomas, student addresses, and orders for diplomas should be directed to the Office of Registration and Records. diploma@luc.edu

Letters of Certification

Occasionally, students finish all of their degree requirements well before the next degree conferral date.  Under these circumstances, the student can request, from the Associate Dean, a formal letter of certification verifying that all degree requirements have been met and the expected date of degree conferral.  These letters are not provided to the student directly, but to employers or admissions offices.  Students who request a letter of certification must also provide the name, title, and address of the party to whom it will be sent.

Commencement Ceremony

The Graduate School, the Office of Special Events, and the President's Office work together each year to honor degree recipients with an annual commencement ceremony each May.  Although there are three degree conferral dates, there is only one commencement ceremony.

Note:  Neither participation in the commencement ceremony, nor having one's name printed in the commencement bulletin is confirmation that a degree has been conferred.

In order for students to participate in the commencement ceremony, they must complete and return a Commencement Ceremony Attendance Form to the Graduate School.  This form is mailed to students by the Graduate School in February or March of each year. 

Doctoral students may participate in the May commencement ceremony if they have had their degree conferred in the preceding August or December, or if they expect to complete their degree in May or August of the current calendar year and have defended their dissertation sucessfully before the commencement ceremony.

Masters students may participate in the May commencement ceremony if they have had their degree conferred in the preceding August or December, if they expect to complete their degree in May and have met all of their degree requirements, or if they expect to complete their degree in the coming August and have only one outstanding degree requirement which will be completed by the August degree conferral deadline.  These students must have their Graduate Program Director certify that they will finish by the deadline.

Note:  Students must meet ALL of their degree requirements and must apply to receive their degree in order to receive their degree.  Students will receive written notification from the Graduate School that their degree is conferred.  If notification is not received, the student should not assume that his/her degree will be conferred.