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Office of the Registrar

Graduation

You must apply to graduate in order to earn a degree or certificate and receive an invitation to the commencement ceremony.

Submit your application one semester in advance to allow time for your department and the Registrar's Office to check for any problems while there is still time to correct them.

Use Degree Works to monitor your degree progress and remaining requirements.

  • Graduation Application

    Undergraduate Graduation Application

    Submit your completed application to your department from your UM student email for approval from either the Dean of your school, chair of your major, or an authorized designee.

    Your department can then forward your approved application on your behalf to graduation@umontana.edu for processing. 

    Graduate Students: Visit the Graduate School's graduation webpage for more instructions. The graduation application, fee, and procedures vary for master's and doctoral students.

    Graduation Fee

    There is a $45 graduation fee (plus a $15 late fee during the late period) for each degree/certificate graduation application. The fee is applied to your student account in GrizPortal once your application has been processed.

    The graduation application fee contributes to the cost of the commencement ceremony. In addition, the fee pays for diplomas, diploma covers, shipping costs, graduation evaluation, and Degree Works, the electronic degree audit system.

    Multiple Degrees/Certificates

    Students applying for multiple baccalaureate degrees (or certificates) must submit a separate application and fee for each degree or certificate.

    Students completing more than one baccalaureate degree must earn an additional 30 credits for each subsequent baccalaureate degree. For example, 150 credits are required for two degrees, 180 for three, etc.

  • Fall 2025

    Priority Deadline: April 25, 2025

    Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): October 6, 2025

    Spring 2026

    Priority Deadline: November 14, 2025

    Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): February 2, 2026

    Summer 2026

    Priority Deadline: February 27, 2026

    Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): June 1, 2026

    Fall 2026

    Priority Deadline: April 24, 2026

    Late Deadline ($15 Late Fee): October 5, 2026

  • Commencement Ceremony

    You must apply to graduate in order to receive an invitation to commencement. Read more about commencement.

    Commencement is a ceremonial event to celebrate degree completion. This ceremony takes place before grades are posted at the end of the semester, so walking in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee that you have met all degree requirements. Check your progress in Degree Works to ensure that you are on track to meet 100% of your requirements once grades are posted.

    You have officially graduated once your degree has been awarded on your transcript. This process begins after grades are posted to transcripts and takes place over the following 2 to 3 weeks. Grades post to transcripts the week after final exams at the end of the semester.

  • Original Diplomas

    Diplomas are mailed to the address you listed on your graduation application after your degree has been awarded.

    Degree awarding takes place during the 2 to 3 weeks after the commencement ceremony, and diploma shipping through the USPS takes about 4 to 5 weeks after. Altogether, the total timeline can range from 6 to 8 weeks after the semester ends. 

    Do not order a diploma prior to your degree being awarded. You can verify that your degree has been awarded by checking for a graduation date at the top of your unofficial transcript.

    Replacement Diplomas

    The Office of the Registrar does not keep extra diploma copies on file. You may order a replacement diploma using UM's . This service also provides electronic diplomas

    Notarized Diplomas

    Follow the apostille instructions to obtain a notarized diploma for international use.

  • Graduation Appeals

    Graduation Appeals Form

    Meet with your advisor prior to submitting a graduation appeal. Some exceptions can be entered by your advisor in Degree Works without going through the Graduation Appeals Committee.

    The Graduation Appeals Committee meets the final Monday of every month, subject to change. Appeal forms are due to the Registrar's Office one week before each meeting.

    For general policies and procedures, refer to the Graduation Appeals Procedures (section 203.50).

    For further information, please contact graduation@umontana.edu.

What are your plans after graduation?

Grizzlies — want to hear from you! As you prepare to graduate, take a few minutes to complete the .* Your responses help UM understand where our graduates go next — jobs, grad school, service, or other paths — so we can improve programs, inform students and the community, and create opportunities for students.  Even if your plans aren’t set yet, your input matters. The survey is quick (5-7 minutes), confidential, and helps future Grizzlies thrive. Fill it out today for a chance to win prizes valued up to $300!

Questions? Email: ELCS@umontana.edu

*Survey is only available to eligible students roughly 5 weeks before and 5 months after graduation.