Graduation Process & Expectations

Pitt's PeopleSoft/CX

Before you begin, become familiar with logging into the PeopleSoft/HighPoint Campus Experience (PeopleSoft CX) app or desktop interface. This software is your gateway to reviewing your student record data and tracking academic performance and progress.

Certification Timeline and Expectations

Students are encouraged to apply for graduation in the term prior to their anticipated graduation. Please review the items below and address them in a timely fashion to ensure graduation eligibility and avoid late fees.

Before your graduation term

One (1) term before your graduation term and before the add/drop period ends, verify the accuracy of your declared majors, minors, specializations, and/or certificates. Submit any necessary program change forms to the school that hosts the program.

Before the enrollment period for your graduation term, review your degree progress and communicate with your advisor to determine potential graduation roadblocks.

Once you have verified your record and enrolled in your final term schedule, apply for graduation by following the instructions on the Next Steps Toward Graduation page, and complete the Office of the Provost's exit survey. If you are a master’s thesis or doctoral student, you must also plan your final defense date for early in the term.

During your graduation term

Verify that you successfully completed all classes in the prior term. Communicate with your advisor to discuss any questions or concerns. Alert your academic advisor if you need to make any changes to your graduation plan.

Apply to graduate, if you haven’t already done so.

End of your graduation term

At the close of your graduation term, review your final grades and the impact they have on your degree progress report (AAR). As well, celebrate your accomplishments by attending the University or School ceremonies. Masters thesis and doctoral students must finalize all thesis or dissertation content and submit materials to the Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) Coordinator.

Four to six (4-6) weeks after the close of your graduation term, check your graduation status for updates to your degrees awarded. For masters thesis and doctoral students, the ETD Coordinator will confirm the publication status of your ETD.

Six to eight (6-8) weeks after the close of your graduation term, the Office of the University Registrar begins mailing diplomas. Contact their office with any mailing address updates.

Deadlines

The Office of the University Registrar works on a strict schedule to award degrees for students across all University campuses. For the School of Computing and Information to comply with and assist the Registrar’s graduation and degree awarding schedule, everyone—students, staff, and faculty—must adhere to the following deadlines.

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 here: https://etd.pitt.edu/after-you-defend
*Any students in need of an extension must contact SCI Academic Records and their chosen department to receive approval.

Graduation Application Instructions