NAU Graduate College graduation

Graduation policy and requirements

All graduate students who wish to have their degree awarded from Northern Arizona University must submit a graduation application. NAU’s official graduation policy includes all pertinent information about students’ eligibility for applying for graduation, posting of degrees, and participation in commencement ceremonies.

Graduation: fulfillment of degree requirements and the awarding of a degree.

Commencement: public ceremony celebrating academic achievements.

Graduation deadlines

ALL degree requirements must be met by the End of Term/Confer Date deadline for a student to graduate in the given term

Graduation application

The graduation application is facilitated through your LOUIE Student Center. Please view our Step-by-Step Guide on how to submit your application.

Graduation application fees

The NAU graduation application fee is $35.00 for each degree and/or certificate and will be charged to a student’s LOUIE Student Center once the application is submitted. If a student withdraws their application or if an application is denied due to deficiencies, the $35.00 fee will not be refunded. Additionally, the graduation fee will not be waived due to low income status or other circumstances.

Withdrawing your graduation application

NAU graduate students are unable to make changes to their graduation term once the graduation application has been submitted. Students may request their application to be withdrawn by contacting GradGraduation@nau.edu.

Academic recognition

At the time of graduation, if you have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or higher for all courses taken as a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, you will be recognized with the notation of “with distinction” on your transcript and diploma.

Verification letters

If you have an approved graduation application on file, you may request a letter of verification indicating that: “Fulfillment of degree requirements is in progress” or “Fulfillment of degree requirements are complete”. You may submit your request for a verification letter via email to GradGraduation@nau.edu.