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Apply To Graduate

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate candidates for graduation must apply to graduate using the graduation application available in Athena by a given deadline for the semester in which they intend to graduate.

The deadline to apply for fall graduation is October 1, and the deadline to apply for spring graduation is March 1.

If these dates fall on a weekend, the deadline will be the Friday immediately before the October 1 or March 1 date.

  • When applying for spring or summer semesters, undergraduates must apply for the term in which they will take their last course(s) toward their graduation requirements.
  • Undergraduates applying for summer by the graduation application deadline for spring/summer are eligible to participate in the spring undergraduate commencement ceremony in May and will appear in the spring/summer commencement program except students with FERPA restrictions.
  • A FERPA restriction must be removed in order to appear in the program.
  • Apply once for each degree program.
  • Students can check their graduation application status in Athena under the View Application to Graduate option on the Student Services page. If an application is listed in the dropdown, then the graduation application was successfully made.
  • Diplomas are printed using the student’s legal name on file with the University of Georgia.

Graduate Students

Graduate candidates expecting to graduate should consult the Graduate Bulletin for information regarding graduation requirements. Graduate candidates should also contact the graduate coordinator’s office in their academic department or email [email protected] for general information regarding graduation requirements.

Graduate commencement exercises are held in spring and fall. Students completing requirements during summer have the option to participate in the fall graduate commencement ceremony.

How to Apply to Graduate in ATHENA

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. 1

    Log in to ATHENA

    (Or click HERE and skip to Step 4 below)

  2. 2

    Select the 'Student Services' menu

  3. 3

    Select 'Apply to Graduate' Under the Graduation option

  4. 4

    Select the Curriculum Term

    Please select the latest term from the dropdown.

    Note: This is not your graduation semester.

  5. 5

    Select the Program

    Select a program and complete the remainder of the application. Students graduating with multiple programs, including certificates, should complete a separate application for each program.

  6. 6

    Select the Graduation Date

    Select the semester in which you are planning to graduate.

  7. 7

    Select whether you will attend the Commencement ceremony

    This option will only appear for those students who are applying to graduate for fall or spring semester. Because there is no summer commencement ceremony, summer undergraduates participate in the spring undergraduate ceremony, and summer graduate students participate in the following fall commencement ceremony. Selecting this option will not register an undergraduate student for undergraduate commencement tickets.

  8. 8

    Review the diploma name information

    Diplomas are printed using the student’s legal name on file with the University of Georgia. If a student needs to change their legal name, a Name Change Form along with the required documentation should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

  9. 9

    Select the diploma mailing address

    You may provide a new diploma mailing address in this step or select an existing address. Diplomas are typically mailed approximately 8-10 weeks or so after the official graduation date. Please note that diplomas will be shipped via the United States Postal Service and should arrive at the provided address within 4-6 weeks of mailing if it is being delivered within the U.S. Please allow up to ten weeks for international shipments.

  10. 10

    Review and submit your application

    Review your application and make any necessary corrections. Then, select ‘Submit Request.’

Last updated: November 1, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions
After I select my Curriculum Term, I receive a “No Curricula Available” error message. What do I do?

Select a different Curriculum Term in Step 4 above and resubmit. If the error continues, please contact [email protected].

How can I view my submitted application?

Locate the ‘Student Services’ menu (Step 2 above), expand the ‘Graduation’ heading, and select ‘View Application to Graduate.’

When will my degree or certificate officially be awarded?

The degree conferral period begins after grades are due for the semester and lasts 10 business days. During this period, Graduation Clearance Officers in the schools and colleges will review degree and certificate requirements of students with an active graduation application.

How do I update my name on my diploma?

Diplomas are printed using the student’s legal name on file with the University of Georgia. If a student needs to change their legal name, a Name Change Form along with the required documentation should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are typically mailed approximately 8-10 weeks or so after the official graduation date. Please note that diplomas will be shipped via the United States Postal Service and should arrive at the provided address within 4-6 weeks of mailing if it is being delivered within the U.S. Please allow up to ten weeks for international shipments.

Can I change my diploma address after I submit my graduation application?

Yes, students can email [email protected] from their UGA email account to update their diploma address. Include your student ID number (81X).

I am an undergraduate who applied for fall graduation. Can I participate in the spring commencement ceremony instead of the fall ceremony?

Only those undergraduates who apply for fall graduation are eligible to participate in the fall undergraduate ceremony and are not eligible to participate as fall graduate in a future commencement ceremony.
Likewise, only those undergraduates who apply for spring or summer graduation can participate in the spring undergraduate ceremony and are not eligible to participate as a spring or summer graduate in a future ceremony.

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