Graduation

Graduation is not an automatic process – all students who are eligible for graduation must submit an application to graduate.

Before the start of your graduation term, ensure all of your academic record information is correct. Students can follow these University Registrar graduation instructions and utilize PeopleSoft CX to apply.

During your graduation term, communicate with your academic advisor. Verify that you successfully completed the prior term and that you are enrolled in the final requirements to complete your degree.

Master's and doctoral students are required to publish an Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) that aligns with the University’s formatting guidelines. We suggest writing your thesis or dissertation within one of the University’s template options; however, your committee may prefer different formatting for your paper. Learn more about writing and publishing an ETD, find templates, resources, workshops, and more on Pitt's ETD website.

The Office of the University Registrar works on a strict schedule to award degrees for students across all University campuses.

Graduation application deadlines are managed by the Registrar and published in the Academic and Graduation Calendars.

Grade submission deadlines are managed by the Registrar and published in the Academic and Grades Calendars.

ETD and Thesis/PhD Graduation related paperwork must be submitted to ProQuest by the graduation application deadline.
Details regarding the additional paperwork needed can be found on Pitt's Electronic Theses and Dissertations site.
*Any students in need of an extension must contact SCI Academic Records and their chosen department to receive approval.

Review your degree progress and communicate with your advisor to determine potential graduation roadblocks. Your degree progress report (or “academic advisement report, AAR”) will highlight unsatisfied degree requirements. Keep in mind that if you are currently enrolled in classes, these will appear as “in progress” and will count toward earned credit minimums and degree requirements. However, any changes to your enrollment and/or final grades earned below the required minimums will impact your degree progress.

If your degree progress report is incomplete, submit a graduation application to be reviewed for graduation eligibility and for a degree to be conferred. It is recommended that you apply for graduation after you have enrolled in your final schedule, and before the first late fee applies. 

The official grade posting deadline is published in the Academic and Grades Calendars. Instructors have until 11:59 p.m. to submit their grade rosters, and any rosters submitted after 5 p.m. on the day of the deadline may not appear on your record for another 24 hours.

After grades have appeared on your transcript, it may take another 24 hours for changes to reflect on your degree progress report. Unsubmitted grade rosters, incomplete grades (G or I), course repeats, and other data clean-up can further postpone the accurate reporting of your degree requirement completion.

The Dean’s Office is aware that this wait can create anxiety and frustration for students. Please know that teams of staff are working hard to tie up loose ends and resolve issues that often arise at the end of the term. We will reach out with any known issues. In the meantime, keep an eye on your degree progress report, and if you are aware of hurdles to certifying your graduation eligibility, reach out to your advisor as soon as possible.

Contact your advisor or department representative. They will assist with withdrawing your graduation application and plotting a new path to degree completion. Course enrollment for the upcoming term will be blocked in the enrollment system until your application is withdrawn, so be sure to reach out to your advisor or department representative as soon as possible.

If you need academic assistance, be sure to seek guidance from the Student Success Center and avail yourself of all that Pitt has to offer.

Look for updates to your official documentation. Check your academic record (transcript) for updates to the “degrees awarded” section; the transcript will be updated before diplomas are mailed. Official documentation of graduation is managed by the Office of the University Registrar. Inquiries regarding transcripts, diplomas, and related address changes should be directed to that office's Graduation/Diplomas service area.

Graduation certification review is finalized about four to six weeks after the term ends. After this time, students may request an updated, official transcript through the University Registrar transcript request form.

All diplomas are mailed to students approximately six to eight weeks after the “official date for degrees awarded.” The Registrar’s Office publishes an approximate date for mailing diplomas on their Graduation Calendar.

Beginning with graduates in Fall 2025, the University of Pittsburgh is providing a Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma). This digital version of your diploma will be provided free of charge, along with the standard paper diploma. For instructions on how to access your digital diploma or certificate, please visit the Certified Electronic Diploma page on the Registrar's website.

After grades are posted but before degrees are officially conferred, students may request a graduation progress verification letter from SCI Academic Records by emailing scirecords@pitt.edu. The team will confirm dates of enrollment and the most recent documentation of your degree progress. The letter will NOT state that the degree has been awarded but will provide the term-specific dates for when the Registrar’s Office will process degree conferrals and begin mailing diplomas.

After degrees are officially awarded, direct requests for transcripts and diplomas to the Registrar’s Graduation Team.

Contact SCI Academic Records at scirecords@pitt.edu to request a return.

Incomplete coursework needs to be completed in time for the instructor to review and grade the work within two weeks after the last day of your intended graduation term. Students and instructors for SCI courses must discuss and document a plan for coursework completion through the Incomplete Grade Contract; the contract is launched by the instructor.

Instructors must post a grade change to your student record no later than two weeks after the last day of the student’s intended graduation term. Grade changes submitted later than that date will likely result in a postponement of the student’s graduation to the following term.