Graduation

Check here for information about DU and GSSW graduation policies and procedures. Visit our Events page for information about DU Commencement ceremonies.

Commencement: Commencement is the symbolic ceremony held by the University to mark the beginning of your new professional life. DU holds Commencement ceremonies in June and August each year. Participation in Commencement ceremonies does not mean you have completed/earned your degree. Learn More.

Graduation or to graduate: Graduation marks the completion and formal conferral of an academic degree. This is when DU officially confers your degree. It means your degree is reflected on your transcript and is a part of your record. This happens only after final grades are posted and successful completion of all degree requirements is verified. Grades are posted after Commencement.

Graduation Process & Application Deadlines

Graduation occurs at the conclusion of each academic quarter. Students are required to apply for graduation consideration. Pending verification of successful completion, degrees are officially conferred on the last day of each quarter. View academic calendars.

Application Deadlines: 

  • Apply for graduation via MyDU by the deadlines listed below:
    • Summer Quarter 2023: April 3, 2023*
    • Fall Quarter 2023: June 21, 2023*
    • Winter Quarter 2024: September 18, 2023
    • Spring Quarter 2024: January 16, 2024
    • Summer Quarter 2024: April 8, 2024
    • Fall Quarter 2024: June 24, 2024
  • *If it is past the deadline, please apply via the Late Graduation Application.

Students in the Denver Campus Program: If you have a certificate, you must fill out two separate graduation applications: one for your MSW and one for your certificate.

Graduation Process: 

  • The week following registration, the GSSW Registrar’s Office reviews the records and degree requirements for all students who applied to graduate. All students are notified by Week 1 of their final quarter.
  • When grades post, the GSSW Registrar’s Office begins the degree certification process.
  • Degrees are awarded 4–6 weeks after grades post.
  • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post.
    • If you do not receive your diploma 8 weeks after grades post, please email registrar@du.edu with your name, your program, and your DU ID.

How do I verify my degree posted?

You can verify your graduation application on your MyDU Student Profile. You will see a section entitled “Graduation Information,” which will list your active graduation applications. After conferral, your degree will also populate in this section.

You can verify your grades or whether your degree has posted via your unofficial transcripts (accessible on your Student Profile). If you do not see a grade posted, reach out to your instructor right away.

mydu graduation screenshot

When you see the awarded degree, term, and degree date, your degree will be posted and you can order official transcripts.

By Quarter Graduation Updates:

  • Summer Quarter 2023 Graduation Candidates

    All students that applied for Summer Quarter 2023 graduation consideration received an email on Tuesday, 08/15/2023 with an update on the graduation process

    General Process:

    • After Summer registration, the GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 06/08/2023.
    • During the final week of Summer Quarter 2023, students will be sent a reminder of the following process.

    What happens next?

    • Summer Quarter 2023 grades are due Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 10pm. The next day, the GSSW Registrar team will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will be processed 4-6 weeks after final grades post, with an official conferral date of August 18, 2023. You can order transcripts as soon as you see your degree awarded, via your student profile. You will not be notified when your degree posts. You will need to monitor your student profile.
    • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, the degree will not be listed and you will have to order again.
    • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (mid-October).
      • Please ensure your mailing address is correct. You may update your address by accessing MyDU. Log in to MyDU > type My Person Profile in the search box > click Personal Information the update your mailing address.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.
  • Fall Quarter 2023 Graduation Candidates

    General Process:

    • The GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 09/08/2023.
    • During the final week of Fall Quarter 2023, students will be sent a reminder of the following process.

    What happens next?

    • Fall Quarter 2023 grades are due Thursday, November 28, 2023 at 10pm. The next day, our office will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will post 4-6 weeks after grades post with the conferral day of November 22, 2023.  You can order transcripts as soon as you see your degree awarded, via your student profile. You will NOT be notified when your degree posts. You will need to monitor your student profile.
      • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, not degree will be listed and you will have to order again.
    • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (late-January).
      • Please ensure your mailing address is correct. You may update your address by accessing MyDU. Log in to MyDU, type My Person Profile in the search box. Then click Personal Information the update your mailing address.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.
Graduates in regalia hugging

Learn more about DU Commencement ceremonies and GSSW Commencement activities.

Learn More

black female MSW graduate

Stay Connected After Graduation

From Career Services to Alumni Engagement, our GSSW teams are here to support you as the next chapter of your journey begins! 

  • Your Contact Information: Even though you may plan to continue to use your DU email following graduation, we strongly recommend that you update your contact info and add an alternate email address to your PCO and MyDU profiles, so we can keep in touch with you following graduation. If you need assistance, you are welcome to contact the DU IT helpdesk.

Visit our GSSW alumni page often to stay connected. 

GSSW Alumni Webpage