Graduation
You must apply to graduate in the student portal for the semester in which you'll officially and successfully complete all requirements for the degree(s) and major(s) you're pursuing. Degrees are conferred at the end of the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Complete the following steps before the applicable submission deadline (see the graduation calendar):
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Log in to Buff Portal.
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On the apply for graduation card, select "Apply for graduation."
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For your academic institution, select "CUBLD."
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For your expected graduation term, choose the term in which you expect to complete your degree requirements.
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Select "Select Program."
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Select the link for the academic program you're applying to graduate from. (Note: You can't apply to graduate for certificates or licensures. If you're pursuing a dual degree, submit a separate application for the each program.)
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Review your academic information. If it's accurate, select "Information Is Correct."
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Select "Apply for Graduation."
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Review your name. If you want to modify it, select "Change Name," then "Add Name." Once you save it, this new name will be your diploma name.
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Once you're happy with your name, select the "Approve Diploma Name" checkbox.
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Review your address. Diplomas are mailed approximately eight weeks after the commencement ceremony. If the address shown won't be correct at that time, select "Change Address" to create a new diploma address. The post office will not forward your diploma if your address changes.
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Once you're happy with your address, tick the "Approve Diploma Address" checkbox.
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Review your information. If it's accurate, select "Apply for Graduation."
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Log in to Buff Portal.
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On the apply for graduation card, select "Apply for graduation."
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In the graduation application status table, select "View Application."
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You can do several things from this page:
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To change your name, select "Update Diploma Name."
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To change your address, select "Update Diploma Address."
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To change your graduation term, you must cancel the current application and submit a new one. To cancel, select "Cancel Application," then "Yes."
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Your application status should remain as "In Review" until after the degree conferral date for your graduation term.* After that date, your department will review your records to determine whether you've completed your graduation requirements. Depending on what they find, they'll change your status to either "Accepted" or "Denied."
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If your status is "Accepted," then you've completed your degree requirements and will receive your diploma in the mail.
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If your status is "Denied," then you haven't completed your degree requirements and have not graduated from CU Boulder. Please contact your advisor for more information.
*If your status is changed to "Accepted" before the end of your graduation term, then that simply means that the department has received your application; they have not confirmed whether you've met your degree requirements.
Commencement
On the last day of spring classes, the Herd and the Alumni Association host a party to celebrate the university's new graduates. Usually held at the Koenig Alumni Center from 4 to 8 p.m., the event includes free food and drinks, a graduation gift, DJ and representatives from groups across campus. For details or to RSVP, see Spring Ceremony Grad Info.
The campuswide commencement ceremony is held at the end of spring semester (May). CU Boulder does not confer degrees until official grades are posted and each college, school and program has verified that their students have satisfactorily completed their degree requirements. Track your degree progress by viewing your degree audit in the student portal.
If you expect to complete your degree requirements in the summer or fall, you may still participate in the May ceremony. Visit the Commencement website for details.
The commencement program lists the names of students who either graduated (fall semester) or applied to graduate (spring or summer semester) in that academic year. For example, students listed in the 2019–20 commencement program will have done one of the following:
- Graduated in Fall 2019
- Submitted their Spring 2020 graduation application by April 1, 2020
- Submitted their Summer 2020 graduation application by April 1, 2020
Students who submit a Fall 2020 graduation application will be listed in the following year's commencement program.
If you’re expecting to complete your degree requirements in spring or summer, submit your graduation application by the publication deadline (April 1) to have your name included in the commencement program. Contact your dean's office or the Office of the Registrar (303-492-6970) for more information.
Diplomas & Certificates
We'll mail your complimentary paper diploma and/or certificate approximately eight weeks after the end of the semester in which you completed your degree requirements. If you didn't establish a separate diploma address when you applied to graduate, your diploma will be mailed to your home address (note: the post office will not forward your diploma if your address changes).
Note: Your diploma will only be mailed if you've satisfied all your financial obligations within one year after graduation. Students who resolve their financial hold after the allotted time must instead order a replacement diploma.
Learn More About Diplomas & Certificates
Questions?
See our Graduation & Diploma FAQs.