FAQs

• General questions about Commencement?

  Please refer to the UCR web pages at commencement.ucr.edu and also find more information on the School of Business Commencement page.
  
  If you’ve submitted BOTH your UCR graduation application and the School of Business one, you were added to a big list of all graduating students that are eligible for the Spring Commencement Ceremony of that academic year. This list of students will be emailed a form around the Springtime that they can fill out if they intend on participating in Commencement. 

  Remember: Commencement refers to the Ceremony in which students walk across the stage in their cap and gown. As long as you’ve completed all your degree requirements, you’ve already graduated from UCR. Commencement is entirely optional– but of course, we’d love to celebrate you!

  All graduates from that academic year are eligible for the Spring Commencement Ceremony. For example, those who finish requirements in Fall '25, Winter '26, or Spring '26 will all be eligible for the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony. If you are finishing requirements in the Summer, please see the FAQ down below to determine what this might mean for you.

• What happens if I graduate in the Summer?

  Because the Summer graduation application window extends past the Spring Commencement, students applying for Summer graduation must submit their applications within the first week of the Summer application opening to participate in the Commencement of that academic year. If you apply after this date, you are eligible for the Spring commencement ceremony for the following academic year.  See official deadline at registrar.ucr.edu/graduation-guide/deadline

  Remember: Graduation and Commencement are two different processes.

  Graduation refers to the completion of all UCR degree requirements and may occur in any academic quarter, including summer. Commencement refers to the ceremony in which students walk across the stage and is held once annually in the spring. Commencement is entirely optional—but of course, we’d love to celebrate you!

  Therefore, you would be considered a Summer graduate if you complete your degree requirements in the Summer, regardless of when you participate in Commencement.

• Why does my Degree Audit show a 98% for Requirements but 100% for units?

  This is normal. The 98% indicates that your final requirements are in-progress and will become 100% once your final grades come in for the final quarter. If your audit is below 98% or at 99% after registering for your final quarter, please contact your academic advisor right away. This could indicate something is wrong with your degree audit or you do not meet graduation requirements.
  
  If you are pending transcripts, on a waitlist for a class required for graduation, or still finalizing your registration, please submit your application for graduation by the listed deadline even if your audit has not reached 98%.

• How can I tell if everything's okay with my graduation application?

  As long as you’ve submitted BOTH graduation applications and received your confirmation emails, we keep track of your progress from here on out. As long as you've applied, we'd reach out to you via email if something was off with your submission– you dropped a class you needed, you are missing a requirement, etc. Be sure to keep checking your UCR emails so we can catch issues early. You tend to not hear much from us since the process takes longer than most may.

  See the Conferral Timeline published each year by the Office of the Registrar. After that, 8-10 weeks after your graduation term ends, your diploma will be mailed to your address. If you need to demonstrate that you have completed your degree sooner, the options seen here can help registrar.ucr.edu/graduation-guide/diplomas
  
  See other important reminders and dates through the Bachelor's Degree Checklist | Commencement

• What happens after I complete all my classes?

  After you finish your final classes, your graduation is not immediate. Once final grades are posted, the Registrar and the School of Business review your record to confirm all degree requirements, units, GPA, and any pending issues (such as transfer work or grade changes). This review process takes place behind the scenes and can take a few months after your final classes conclude.

  Your degree becomes official at conferral. You are officially considered a UCR graduate once your degree is conferred (approved and posted by the Registrar). Diplomas are mailed after conferral is complete. Official degree conferral dates are published each year by the Office of the Registrar.

• How can I show proof of graduation?

  If you need to demonstrate that you have completed your degree, the options below can help.
  
  Official Transcript: Your transcript is the official record of your academic achievements at UCR and will list your degree once it has been conferred (about 4 weeks after the end of your graduation term). This will satisfy most requests to show your degree status. Order a transcript through R’Web.
  
  Degree Awarded Letter: In rare cases where a transcript is not accepted as proof of your degree, you can request a letter  from the Registrar’s Office confirming that you have graduated and your degree status. These letters can be requested once your degree has been conferred (about 4 weeks after the end of your graduation term). 
  
  Letter of Completion: If you need to demonstrate that you will be graduating prior to your degree being conferred, you can request a Letter of Completion from your academic advisor. You must have satisfied all degree requirements and applied to graduate for such a letter to be produced. Please contact your school or college for additional information.
  
  National Student Clearinghouse: Third parties wishing to verify your degree status must do so through the National Student Clearinghouse. More information is available on the UCR Registar's website.
  
  Notary and Apostille: If you need your diploma notarized for employment or admission to a graduate program, please contact RegHelpDesk@ucr.edu for additional information and assistance.

• When will I get my diploma?

  In most cases, your diploma will be mailed directly to your permanent address and should be received 8-10 weeks after the end of your graduation term. A shipping notification will be sent to your UCR email address when your diploma is on its way.

  Choice of Name: When diplomas are ordered, your lived name will be the default name that appears on your diploma. However, you may also choose to have your legal name or a different variation of your name (middle initial, etc.) displayed instead. An email will be sent to your UCR email address toward the end of your graduation term with information on how to provide your preferred name for your diploma.

  To ensure your diploma is delivered to the correct location, be sure to check and update your permanent address on the “Personal Information” icon in R’Web by the end of your graduation term!

  Please note that diplomas sent to international addresses can take significantly longer to receive and tracking information may only be available during the time that the package is in the US Postal Service’s possession. If you do not receive your diploma within the expected timeframe above or require assistance with a lost or damaged diploma, please use this form to request assistance from the Registrar’s Office.
   

  Graduation Term	Diplomas Expected In
  Fall	March
  Winter	June
  Spring	August
  Summer	November

   

  • If you do not receive your diploma within the expected timeframe above or require assistance with a lost or damaged diploma, please use this form to request assistance from the Registrar's Office.
• What if I missed the deadline for application?

  If you missed the Graduation Application Deadlines, please email your academic advisor right away to see what your options may be.