Graduation

Mentor Circle

Graduation

 

The University of Delaware confers degrees at the end of the fall, spring, winter, and summer sessions. Commencement ceremonies are held in May.

The May Commencement Program and Ceremony includes those undergraduate students who completed degree requirements in the previous summer, fall and winter, and those expected to complete degree requirements in the upcoming spring and summer. The Commencement Program listings reflect information available approximately 6 weeks before the ceremony. Undergraduate students making changes to their major and expected graduation term after mid-April will not have that information reflected in the Commencement Program. Graduate students should contact Graduate College for questions regarding their name inclusion in the Commencement Program.

Periodic mailings concerning graduation are sent by the University Vice President and Secretary to students in their last semester. If you are not receiving graduation mailings please contact Registrar or call (831-2131). Caps and gowns, invitations, diploma frames and other graduation related items are available through the university bookstore. For more information regarding Commencement, please visit www.udel.edu/commencement.

Participation in the commencement ceremony or having a declared expected graduation term does not confirm completion of degree requirements. The Office of Graduate Studies confirms the completion of degree requirements for graduate students and the individual colleges confirm the completion of degree requirements for undergraduate students. Students who are verified for the completion of degree requirements for the upcoming term should be aware of the following timeline and dates within the degree clearance process:

Graduation Requirements

As noted in the Academic Catalog, upon degree conferral, the academic record is finalized and no further changes (addition of a minor, grade change) may be made. (See "Celebrate Your Academic Success at Commencement and Degree Conferral" at Academic Requirements for Graduation).

Graduate Degree Candidates

To initiate the process for a master's or doctoral degree, candidates must submit an Application for Advanced Degree to the Graduate College. The application deadlines are February 15 for Spring candidates, January 15 for Winter candidates, May 15 for Summer candidates, and September 15 for Fall candidates. The application must be signed by the candidate's adviser and department chair and/or graduate program director before it is submitted to the Graduate College.

Review the Graduate College Step by Step Graduation Guide. Questions should be directed to gradoffice@udel.edu. Contact the Graduate College Office at (302) 831-8697, about the proper procedures for completing graduation requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Candidates

See Academic Requirements for Graduation in the Academic Catalog.

In addition to the academic requirements of the particular curriculum chosen each student must complete the following general requirements:

  • The attainment of a scholastic average of C (cumulative index of 2.0) in all work taken at the University.
  • The satisfaction of the residence requirement by completing either the first 90 credits or 30 of the last 36 credits at the University of Delaware.
  • All necessary transfer credit must be posted before a student can graduate. It is the students responsibility to ensure that the university has received the transfer credit from other institutions.
  • One semester of Freshmen English (ENGL 110), completed with a minimum grade of C-.
  • Three credits in an approved course or courses stressing multi-cultural, ethnic, and/or gender related content. This course may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Senior Checkout

Seniors are expected to go through a senior checkout before graduation. The senior checkout is to ensure the student will meet academic requirements for graduation. Each college has its own rules regarding when senior checkout is to be done. Students should contact their Student Service / Assistant Dean's office about senior checkout no later than the beginning of their senior year.

Undergraduates who are expecting to graduate a different date than is listed in their academic records should contact their Student Service / Assistant Dean's office.

The following rules for honors apply:

  • Summa Cum Laude. The top 1 percent of each undergraduate college's graduating class for an academic year will receive the degree Summa Cum Laude.
  • Magna Cum Laude. The next 4 percent of each undergraduate college's graduating class will receive the degree Magna Cum Laude.
  • Cum Laude. The next highest 8 percent of each undergraduate college's graduating class will receive the degree Cum Laude.

Note: Students who have been granted academic renewal are not eligible for Latin Honors.

2023-2024 Latin Honors

The Summer (2235), Fall (2238), Winter (2241), and Spring (2243) graduation honors degree
minimum grade point averages are as follows:

COLLEGE Summa Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources 3.963 3.899 3.759
College of Arts & Sciences / College of Earth, Ocean & Environment 3.989 3.952 3.858
Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics 3.965 3.901 3.805
College of Engineering 3.991 3.951 3.869
College of Education & Human Development 4.000 3.950 3.865
College of Health Sciences
3.980 3.922 3.819