Graduation and Commencement

Graduation Process & Application Deadlines

Graduation Process Summary 

• Graduation Timing: Degrees are officially conferred at the end of each academic quarter, after grades post and following completion of the degree conferral process.
• Application Requirement:  Students must apply to graduate for the specific quarter in which they will complete all degree requirements by the application deadline. Students apply to graduate via MyDU 
  • Dual Application Note: If you are earning both an MSW and a certificate, you must submit two separate graduation applications—one for each credential.

Graduation Application Deadlines:

• Summer Quarter 2025: April 7, 2025*
• Fall Quarter 2025: June 23, 2025
• Winter Quarter 2026: September 15, 2025
• Spring Quarter 2026: January 12, 2026

*Missed the deadline? Please apply via the GSSW Late Graduation Application.

Degree Conferral Process

Graduation Evaluations

• Start Date: Graduation evaluations begin after registration for your final quarter.
• Process: The GSSW Registrar team manually reviews the academic records and degree requirements of each candidate.
• Notification: All students will be notified of their graduation status by the first week of their final quarter.

Degree Conferral

1. After Grades Post: The GSSW Registrar’s Office begins the degree conferral process by reviewing each candidate’s records, ensuring that all degree requirements have been graded and successfully passed.
2. Degree Awarding Timeline: Degrees are awarded 4–6 weeks after grades post.
3. Transcripts: Once your degree is awarded, you can order official transcripts through your student profile.
4. Diplomas: Diplomas will be mailed out 8 weeks after grades post. Important: Please ensure that your mailing address is up to date. To update your address, log in to MyDU, search for My Person Profile, and click Personal Information to make changes.

What If You Don’t Receive Your Diploma?

• If you do not receive your diploma 8 weeks after grades post, please contact the Registrar's Office by emailing:
  registrar@du.edu Include your name, program, and DU ID in the email.

Help Us Enhance Career Support!

• Report Post-Graduate Employment Information: Help enhance career support for current and future GSSW students by reporting your post-graduate employment status to our Career Services team.
  [Link to report information]

Graduation Details by Quarter

• Winter Quarter 2025 Graduation Candidates (March)

  General Process:

  • Graduation evaluations begin at the end of October. The GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements of each candidate. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 11/22/2024.
  • After grades post, the GSSW Registrar team begins the degree certification process to award degrees (more details below).
    • Grades post Friday, 03/28/2025. 
  • Winter Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2025 Commencement, Friday, 06/13/2025.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.

   

  Degree Certification Process:

  • Winter Quarter 2025  grades are due Thursday, 03/27/2025 at 10pm. The next day, the GSSW Registrar team will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will post 4-6 weeks after grades post with the conferral day of March, 21, 2025.
  • 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. (Directions above)
    • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, no degree will be listed and you will have to order again.
  • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (Late-May 2025).
    • 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 to update your mailing address. 
    • 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.
  • Please help us enhance career support for current and future GSSW students, by reporting your post-graduate employment information to our Career Services team via this link.

  Commencement:

  • Winter Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2025 Commencement, Friday, 06/13/2025.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here
• Spring Quarter 2025 Graduation Candidates (June)

  General Process:

  • Graduation evaluations begin at the end of February.  The GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements of each candidate. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 03/28/2025.
  • After grades post, the GSSW Registrar team begins the degree certification process to award degrees (more details below).
    • Grades post Friday, 06/20/2025. 
  • Spring Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2025 Commencement, Friday, 06/13/2025.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.

  Degree Certification Process:

  • Spring Quarter 2025 grades are due Thursday, 06/19/2025 at 10pm. The next day, the GSSW Registrar team will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will post 4-6 weeks after grades post with the conferral day of June 12, 2025.
  • 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. (Directions above)
    • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, no degree will be listed and you will have to order again.
  • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (Mid-August 2025).
    • 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 to update your mailing address. 
    • 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.
  • Please help us enhance career support for current and future GSSW students, by reporting your post-graduate employment information to our Career Services team via this link.

  Commencement:

  • Spring Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2025 Commencement, Friday, 06/13/2025.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here
• Summer Quarter 2025 Graduation Candidates (August)

  General Process:

  • Graduation evaluations begin at the Mid-May. The GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements of each candidate. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 06/06/2025.
  • After grades post, the GSSW Registrar team begins the degree certification process to award degrees (more details below).
    • Grades post Friday, 08/29/2025. 
  • Summer Quarter candidates participate in Summer 2025 Commencement, Saturday, August 23, 2025
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.

  Degree Certification Process:

  • Summer Quarter 2025 grades are due Thursday, 08/28/2025 at 10pm. The next day, the GSSW Registrar team will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will post 4-6 weeks after grades post with the conferral day of August 22, 2025.
  • 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. (Directions above)
    • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, no degree will be listed and you will have to order again.
  • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (Late-October 2025).
    • 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 to update your mailing address. 
    • 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.
  • Please help us enhance career support for current and future GSSW students, by reporting your post-graduate employment information to our Career Services team via this link.

  Commencement:

  • Summer Quarter candidates participate in Summer 2025 Commencement, Saturday, August 23, 2025
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.
• Fall Quarter 2025 Graduation Candidates (November)

  General Process:

  • Graduation evaluations begin at the Mid-August. The GSSW Registrar team will manually review records and degree requirements of each candidate. All students will be notified of their status by Friday, 09/09/2025.
  • After grades post, the GSSW Registrar team begins the degree certification process to award degrees (more details below).
    • Grades post Tuesday, 12/02/2025. 
  • Fall Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2026 Commencement, Friday June 12, 2026.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.

  Degree Certification Process:

  • Fall Quarter 2025 grades are due Monday, 12/01/2025 at 10pm. The next day, the GSSW Registrar team will begin the degree certification process. Your degree will post 4-6 weeks after grades post with the conferral day of November 20, 2025.  
  • 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. (Directions above)
    • ***Be careful when you order transcripts. If you order before your degree is awarded, no degree will be listed and you will have to order again.
  • Diplomas are mailed out 8 weeks after grades post (Late-January 2026).
    • 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 to update your mailing address. 
    • 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.
  • Please help us enhance career support for current and future GSSW students, by reporting your post-graduate employment information to our Career Services team via this link.

  Commencement:

  • Fall Quarter candidates participate in Spring 2026 Commencement, Friday June 12, 2026.
    • Information regarding DU commencement can be found here.

Commencement Details

• Summer Commencement (August 23, 2025)

  Summer Quarter 2025 graduate candidates participate in Summer Commencement (August 23, 2025)

  Your to do list:

  1. Review DU's Commencement Website (Summer commencement information will populate a week or two after Spring Commencement, 06/13/2025). 
  2. Review DU's Graduate FAQ's Website. Review all FAQs but pay close attention to: 
     1. How do I register for commencement? (This section has the link you need to register to attend commencement)
     2. How to order my regalia?
     3. How many tickets will I receive? When and how do I receive my tickets?
  3. Bring your DU ID or State ID (for MSW@DEN Online program Students)

   

  What to except on Commencement day: Coming Soon! 

• Spring Commencement (June 12, 2026)

  Fall Quarter 2025, Winter Quarter 2026, and Spring Quarter 2026 graduate candidates participate in Spring Commencement (June 12, 2026)

  Your to do list:

  1. Review DU's Commencement Website
  2. Review DU's Graduate FAQ's Website. Review all FAQs but pay close attention to: 
     1. How do I register for commencement? (This section has the link you need to register to attend commencement)
     2. How to order my regalia?
     3. How many tickets will I receive? When and how do I receive my tickets?
  3. Bring your DU ID or State ID (for MSW@DEN Online program Students)

   

  What to except on Commencement day:

  • GSSW Open House from 10-1pm
  • 1pm--start heading over to Hamilton Gymnasium, at the northwest doors adjacent to the Barton Lacrosse Field, for graduate line up. You must be there by 1:30pm. 
    • GSSW will be seated in one large section, and GSSW staff members will be present to guide you. Graduates will line up alphabetically by last name and will receive a name card during lineup. You must have this name card in order to cross the stage.
  • 2:30 commencement begins. 

Graduation (to graduate) FAQs

• How to Verify Your Degree Has Posted

  Step 1: Verify Graduation Application

  • Log in to MyDU and go to your Student Profile.
  • In your profile, look for the section called "Graduation Information".
  • This section will list your active graduation applications. Once your degree has been conferred, it will also appear here.

  Step 2: Verify Your Degree via Unofficial Transcripts

  • You can verify whether your degree has posted by checking your unofficial transcripts, which are accessible in your Student Profile.
  • If your degree is not listed yet, be patient. Remember, it can take 4–6 weeks after grades post for yoru degree to post.

  Step 3: Verify Your Grades

  • If you don’t see a grade posted, reach out to your instructor immediately for clarification or to confirm that the grade has been submitted.
• When is it safe to order official transcripts?

  When you see your degree has posted you can order official transcripts.

• Can I take classes after I graduate?

  Yes, you can take classes the quarter after you graduate; however, you must be admitted to a program in order to register for classes. When you graduate, your academic program is considered complete and ends in that same quarter. For example, if you graduate in the Spring quarter, your program officially ends in Spring, and you are no longer admitted to that program—meaning you cannot register for Summer quarter classes.

  If you wish to take classes after you graduate, you must apply as a Non-Degree Seeking Student. To do this, please complete the Non-Degree Seeking Student application for the quarter following your graduation. On the application, you will need to indicate the course number and CRN for the class you wish to take. The course schedule can be found in MyDU.

  If space is available, the GSSW Registrar will manually register you for the class. Please note that financial aid is not available for Non-Degree Seeking students.

  If you have any questions, email us at gsswregistrar@du.edu, and be sure to include your DU ID.

Commencement FAQ

• Does GSSW host any event for eligible students and their famlies?

  Yes! GSSW hosts two annual events in June to honor all graduates and graduation candidates for the current academic year. These include:

  • GSSW Virtual Graduation Celebration: This signature event features a formal program, including remarks by the dean and a special guest keynote address. This event is offered via Zoom in a webinar format and is open to all eligible students and their families.
  • GSSW Open House: This is an informal, in-person event designed for graduating students and their guests to mix and mingle with one another and with GSSW staff and faculty. There is no formal program or remarks, so guests are welcome to come and go as needed.

  More information will be posted by late March/early April each year. 

  GSSW Graduation Celebration

• How do I register for Commencment?

  It is essential you register for commencement. GSSW Students register for the Gold Ceremony. 

  Registration is now open.  Please click here to register.  Graduates will have through Tuesday, May 13 to submit their registration.

• How and when do I obtain a ticket?

  Upon registering for commencement, graduates will automatically be allocated nine tickets. All tickets will be distributed directly to graduates.

  The week of commencement graduates will receive an email from athletics@tickets.du.edu with a hyperlink to the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal. To access the tickets:

  1. From a mobile device, click Student Login.  Graduates who have never accessed this portal before for sporting events can utilize the “Sign In With a Code” option to have a one-time code sent to their DU email.
  2. After logging in graduates will be on the student ticket homepage.
  3. Under My Tickets, graduates will be able to see all tickets available for them to share.  Look for the tab Transfer Tickets.  From there, graduates should see their ceremony information, their nine tickets, and can then transfer tickets to their guests via email or text.

  Recipients of the mobile tickets will accept the tickets via the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal.

  Graduates may then transfer their mobile tickets to their guests via the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal. Ticket recipients will receive an email notifying them that their graduate has initiated a ticket transfer. The ticket recipient will then log in to the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal to accept those tickets.

  Anyone having difficulty transferring or accepting tickets is welcome to contact the Ritchie Center for assistance at rcboxoffice@du.edu or 303-871-4625. We will absolutely ensure that graduates are able to get their tickets to their loved ones.

• How do I get more tickets?

  Upon registering for commencement, graduates will automatically be allocated nine tickets. All tickets will be distributed directly to graduates.  Graduates themselves do not need a ticket.

  Graduates who need extra tickets should coordinate with friends or classmates who are not using their full allotment.  If there are any unclaimed tickets, they will be released the week of commencement. 

  Graduates may then transfer their mobile tickets to their guests via the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal. Ticket recipients will receive an email notifying them that their graduate has initiated a ticket transfer. The ticket recipient will then log in to the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal to accept those tickets.

  Anyone having difficulty transferring or accepting tickets is welcome to contact the Ritchie Center for assistance at rcboxoffice@du.edu or 303-871-4625. We will absolutely ensure that graduates are able to get their tickets to their loved ones.

• What happens if I do not receive my tickets the week of Commencement?

  If you do not receive your tickets the week of Commencement:

  1. Email registrar@du.edu and athletics@tickets.du.edu stating you have not received your tickets. Include that you are a GSSW student, your DU ID, and state if you registered for commencement or not. 

   

  As a last resort, on the day of commencement when you line up in Hamilton Gym, there will be a QR code for you to obtain tickets and send them to your friends and family. 

• How do I order my regalia?

  Students who have applied to graduate, may order regalia through the DU Bookstore beginning on April 14.  Please click here on or after April 14 to place your regalia order.  Regalia may be picked up at the DU Bookstore beginning on May 2.

  Doctoral graduates can order regalia here.

• I have not met all the requirements to graduate, but I would like to participate in Commencement. Am I allowed to do this?

  Under some circumstances, students who have not yet completed degree requirements may be allowed, by petition, to participate in Commencement ceremony. For more information, please see the Request to Participate in Commencement Ceremony for Students not Graduating application form and policy.

For all additional Commencement FAQs, please refer to DU's Graduate FAQ's Website.