How to Apply for Graduation

Look at you—we're so proud! You’ve made it this far, and now it’s time to start thinking about graduation. Let’s go over what you need to know so you’ll be ready to walk across the stage in your cap and gown.

What is graduation and commencement?

Graduation is the conferral of a degree after completing all requirements for an academic program, and verification by the Office of Records and Registration. You must complete the application process and be approved to participate in Commencement.

Commencement is a ceremony that marks the completion of an academic degree. Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not guarantee that your degree requirements were met.

The Coppin State University commencement program does not represent an official list of certified graduates. Students listed in the program are candidates for degrees in the current academic year. Degrees and honors designations are subject to final certification for official University records. All official academic records are maintained in the Office of Records and Registration.

How do I know I'm ready to graduate?

You can visualize yourself wearing your cap and gown, and walking across the stage to get your degree. Here’s what you need to accomplish to get there:

• Earn at least 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree
• Complete all general education, major, minor, concentration, and Coppin requirements
• Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Some majors require a 2.5 GPA—be sure to confirm your graduation GPA requirements with your advisor and department
• Review your unofficial transcript for missing and incomplete grades
• Finish all Incomplete (I) grades
• Complete departmental exit assessment
• Use your EagleLINKS account to verify the Office of Records and Registration has any course exception(s), substitution(s), and/or waiver(s)

Important Graduation Deadlines

There are a few steps you need to take to be ready to graduate and walk across the stage at Commencement. 

Graduation Application Process

1. The completed graduation application is submitted for the upcoming senior year. Helpful tip: An anticipated graduation date is established by the student's junior year.
2. The candidate is required to complete the graduation application (once it becomes available via email by advisor of the department's application distribution process to advisee) in its entirety and sign it. Approval for graduation is also required by obtaining the signatures of the advisor, chairperson, and dean of the major department.
3. The Dean is to submit the endorsed approved graduation application to the Office of Records and Registration graduation mailbox.
4. The graduation application payment portal (TouchNet) will become available to candidates once the Office of Records and Registration is in receipt of their graduation application.

Please note, for students with coursework in progress, a clearing to participate in the Commencement Ceremony only permits a student to attend the ceremony, but does not clear the student for graduation. Students who fail to meet degree requirement are notified by their department. Awarded students may verify their degree by accessing their unofficial transcript in EagleLINKS.

How do I apply for graduation and Commencement?

Candidates for graduation who wish to have their name appear in the Commencement booklet must do the following:

• An anticipated graduation date is established by the student's junior year.
• The completed graduation application is then submitted for the upcoming senior year
• The candidate is required to complete the graduation application (once it becomes available via email by advisor of the dept's application distribution process to advisee) in its entirety and sign it.
• Approval for graduation is also required by obtaining the signatures of the advisor, chairperson, and dean of the major department
• The Deans are to submit the endorsed approved graduation applications electronically to the Office of Records & Registration (ORR) graduation mailbox.
• The graduation application payment portal (TouchNet) will become available to candidates once the ORR is in receipt of their graduation application.

How to verify your graduation application has been received by the Office of Records and Registration

Students/Departments may confirm their application status in EagleLINKS > Reporting Tools > Student Center.

The GA+/GA-, GF1 or SP2 indicators will notify students that their application has been processed by the Office of Records and Registration along with the following information:

• Meeting the application’s deadline date
• Dissemination of diploma timeline
• Deactivation of future enrollment
• If student's name will appear in the commencement booklet.

Graduation Application deadline is available on the Academic Calendar.

Once the Office of Records and Registration processes your graduation application, we will deactivate your registration to prevent you from enrolling in any more classes after your graduation date. We strongly encourage you to submit your graduation application by the appropriate deadline because if not, your name will be excluded from the Commencement booklet.