Apply for Graduation
Who Can Apply?
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) students who have earned at least 80 credit hours are eligible to apply for graduation. To be eligible to graduate, you must complete a Graduation Application. The application is available online through LOCUS. Early application ensures that you will receive an audit of your remaining degree requirements prior to enrolling in your final semester’s classes.
What Happens When You Apply?
When you submit your application, you initiate an "audit" of your Core, major, minor, and college requirements by your CAS academic advisor. Upon completion, your academic advisor will e-mail you a copy of the graduation degree audit, which details your remaining requirements for graduation. You may also choose to schedule an appointment to personally review your remaining requirements with your academic advisor. To schedule an appointment, please call the CAS Dean’s Office at 773.508.3500. (If you are based at the Water Tower Campus, please call the CAS Dean's Office at WTC at 312.915.6520.)
When to Apply
Students may apply to graduate in the Fall, Spring, or Summer academic terms. This means you will plan to complete your last degree requirements in that academic term.
| Expected Graduation Term | Graduation Application Deadline |
| Fall (December) | March 1 |
| Spring (May) | October 1 |
| Summer (August) | October 1 |
Early application is strongly encouraged to ensure that you receive your graduation degree audit prior to enrolling in your final semester’s classes. Students who do not apply by the application deadline must contact the CAS Dean’s Office at 773.508.3500.
Where to Apply
The Graduation Application is available online through LOCUS. If you do not see your "expected graduation term" as one of the options on the application, please contact the CAS Dean's Office at 773.508.3500. Students who do not apply by the application deadline must contact the CAS Dean’s Office at 773.508.3500.
Why Apply?
To be eligible to graduate, you must apply. Also, by applying early, you ensure that you receive your graduation degree audit prior to registration for your final semester.
How to Apply
Please follow these steps to complete your application in LOCUS:
- Log into LOCUS
- Enter your ‘Student Center’
- Use the drop-down menu to select ‘Apply for Graduation’
- Select your desired program
- Select your desired graduation term
- Press ‘Continue’ and proofread the application information
- Verify or update your name as it will appear on your diploma
- Verify or update your permanent address
- Indicate whether you will attend the graduation ceremony
- Press ‘Save Changes’
- Press ‘Continue’
- Press ‘Submit Application’
Commencement Ceremony
For information on the CAS Commencement Ceremony, please visit the Commencement website.
FAQs
1. How do I know if my graduation application was received?
When you submit your application, you initiate an audit of your Core, major, minor, and college requirements by your College of Arts and Sciences academic advisor. Upon completion, your advisor will e-mail you a copy of the audit, which details your remaining requirements for graduation.
2. When should I expect to receive my graduation degree audit?
It is our goal to complete your graduation degree audit as soon as possible. Early application is strongly encouraged to ensure that you receive your graduation degree audit prior to enrolling in your final semester’s classes.
3. Is there a graduation application fee?
Yes. For undergraduate students, graduation fees will be billed to your student account after earning 90 credit hours. Please visit the Office of the Bursar for more information.
4. What if my major or minor is not correctly identified in LOCUS?
Please complete a CAS major/minor declaration form available from the Hub or at the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Offices.
5. What if my expected term of graduation changes?
Please contact your CAS academic advisor to re-apply for a different academic term.
6. What if my legal name has changed?
The name that will appear on your diploma will be your Primary Name recorded in LOCUS. If any changes are required, you are asked to enter those changes in LOCUS. If your Diploma Name differs significantly from your Primary Name, a notarized Name Change Request must be filed at the Office of Registration and Records.
7. What if I wish to have my diploma mailed to another address?
If you wish to have your diploma mailed to another address, please complete the Temporary Diploma Mailing Address form (PDF) and email if to diploma@luc.edu.
8. What grade point average is needed to be eligible for laudatory honors?
Students earning 60 or more graded Loyola credits are eligible to graduate with laudatory honors according to the criteria below. This outstanding accomplishment will be noted on the student's diploma and official transcript.
|
Cumulative Loyola GPA |
Laudatory Honor |
| 3.500 - 3.699 | Cum laude (with praise) |
| 3.700 - 3.899 | Magna cum laude (with high praise) |
| 3.900 - 4.000 | Summa cum laude (with highest praise) |
Note: GPA is not rounded for laudatory honors.
Helpful Links
- CAS Academic Advising
- Graduation Application Checklist (Registration and Records)
- Graduation Fee (Office of the Bursar)
