Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates your academic achievements. You must apply to graduate and you must satisfy all of your degree requirements before you officially graduate and receive your diploma. Diploma covers will be distributed at the divisional ceremonies for undergraduate degree and master degree and at the university ceremony for the doctoral degrees. Your official diploma will be mailed about four to six weeks after the ceremonies, after grades have been computed and your eligibility for graduation has been confirmed. Also, any financial obligation with the university must be settled with the Office of the Bursar before your diploma will be released.

Undergraduate Degree Candidates

Undergraduates who are eligible to graduate in May or August 2019 are welcome to participate in both the Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, ceremonies.

• Undergraduates should view their DARS prior to graduation and direct any questions or concerns to their academic advisor.
• If you are transferring credits to Miami in order to complete your degree, please notify the Office of the University Registrar by email.
• Undergraduate candidates who are graduating with Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) will be notified by the Office of the University Registrar. Due to time constraints, Latin honors for the commencement ceremony are determined as a result of last semester's cumulative grade point average. After final grades for this semester are recorded, Latin honors will be recalculated for May graduates. After final grades for summer are recorded, Latin honors will be recalculated for August graduates.
• Undergraduate candidates who are graduating with Latin honors will be recognized at Commencement with red and white honor cords. You can pick up your cords at one of the following locations and dates:
  • The Miami University Brick & Ivy Campus Store (The Shriver Center) April 4 through May 10, 2019
  • Regional Brick & Ivy Campus Stores beginning April 2 through May 17, 2019
  • Grad Fest April 2 and 3, 2019, in the John Dolibois Room of The Shriver Center
  • Regional Grad Fest on April 9 (Middletown Campus in Johnston Hall) and April 10, 2019 (Hamilton Campus in Schwarm Hall)
  • The Oxford One Stop, located in the lobby of the Campus Avenue Building May 13 through 17, 2019
• All undergraduate candidates who are graduating from the University Honors Program will be recognized at commencement with a gold medallion. Students who complete the University Honors with Distinction requirements are also recognized with a gold cord. You can pick up your medallion and, if applicable, your cord at Grad Fest or in the University Honors Program office (101 Old Manse) during the final week of classes.
• Military Honor Cords: If you are graduating and are an honorably discharged US veteran, are currently serving in the US military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserves), or are an ROTC student commissioning upon graduation, you are authorized to wear a Military Honor Cord. Military-affiliated faculty and staff are welcome to receive honor cords as well. Discharged veterans must have either self-identified as a veteran through the link sent to you earlier this year (please email if you need the link sent to you again) or by showing a copy of your DD214 form. Currently serving personnel must have either self-identified through the link sent to you earlier this year (please email if you need the link sent to you again) or a military issue ID card.

Master's Degree Candidates

Master's candidates eligible to graduate in May or August 2018 are welcome to participate in both the Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, ceremonies.

• May candidates must complete all necessary requirements, other than final exams, by May 3, 2019.
• Requirements include turning in certificate forms to the Graduate School office indicating results of final oral/written exams and grade changes for thesis research.
• The last day for students planning to graduate in May 2019 to apply for graduation will be Friday, April 26, 2019. Students planning to graduate in August 2019 will have until Friday, July 26, 2019.

Doctoral Degree Candidates

Doctoral candidates may participate in the Saturday, May 18, ceremony only if they complete requirements by April 26, 2019.

• May candidates must complete all necessary requirements, other than exams, and have the proper approval forms turned in (and dissertations deposited) to the Graduate School office by April 26, 2018.
• Requirements include turning in certificate forms to the Graduate School office indicating results of final oral/written exams and grade changes for dissertation research.
• The last day for students planning to graduate in May 2019 to apply for graduation will be Friday, April 5, 2019.