To complete an online degree application through myUK, look under myRecords and click on APPLY FOR A DEGREE. Each term the deadline for degree applications will be posted by the Registrar. Please check the university calendar to ensure that your application is completed before the due date. You cannot graduate without the degree application.

Run a degree audit using Apex to determine what requirements and hours that you have remaining. This audit will indicate your progress towards your degree. If you have questions about your audit or feel that it does not accurately reflect your academic progress, please submit an Apex Correction form to the URC in room 144 B&E.

Your degree application card will trigger a senior check. Following priority registration, you will receive an email sent to your UK email account indicating whether your schedule will meet all the requirements needed to graduate. If you do not receive such an email, you should contact the URC in room 144 B&E before your final term.

1. At the beginning of the semester, make sure that you have received a senior check email and have enrolled in any additional coursework.
2. Watch your UK email for Commencement information.
3. File repeat options no later than the last day of finals week during the semester of graduation. Repeat options cannot be processed once the degree has been posted.
4. To count toward graduation, grades for independent study courses must be posted to a student's record by the end of finals week during the semester of graduation. A student must take the final exam for each ISP course approximately three weeks before the end of the semester. Grades posted to a student's record after finals week will delay graduation by one semester.
5. Complete any courses as you must have a grade in each course in order to graduate.
6. Pay any outstanding fines and fees.

How do I get a senior check?
The semester before you graduate you should complete a graduation application available in B&E room 144. After priority registration for your final term, we will review your schedule and notify you via your UK email to determine whether or not you are on track to graduate. If you need additional coursework, we will assist you in getting the classes you need. In preparation you should run an Apex audit. Make sure that the audit has your current catalogue year (the year that you started UK).Watch the Gatton listserv for an announcement of the graduation preparation meeting. In this meeting we will assist you with interpreting Apex and answering your questions.

The class I need to graduate is full. What do I do?
Continue to try and add the class during the priority registration window. If you still are not able to get the class after the secondary window you may request an override during drop/add (note this link is only active when you can use it).

I am in my last semester and a class I need to graduate is not offered. What do I do?
Please fill out a petition to the dean from this link.

What steps do I need to take in order to graduate?
Complete your USP/UK Core, pre-major, and degree requirements; earn 120 hours, and complete a degree application card in the semester prior to your graduation. These cards are available in B&E room 144. We may not graduate you without a degree application card.

I plan to finish my degree in summer school. What courses should I plan to take?
The best strategy is to leave free electives for summer school. The higher the course number the lower the probability that the class will be offered.

University commencement ceremonies are held each year in May and December on the Saturday or Sunday following final exam week. Upcoming August graduates may attend the ceremony but must request invitations from the Undergraduate Resource Center office (Room 144 B&E). August graduates will be recognized during the ceremony, but their names will not appear in the program until the following year.

If you plan to participate in the ceremony, please apply online.

Commencement Honors

Students who attain a grade-point average of 3.8 or higher for at least three years (90 hours) of work at the University (excepting correspondence study) shall be graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Students who attain a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher for at least three years (90 hours) of work at the University (excepting correspondence study) shall be graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Students who attain a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher for at least three years (90 hours) of work at the University (excepting correspondence study) shall be graduated Cum Laude.

Students with a minimum of two (60 hours) but less than three years (90 hours) of work at the University will receive the appropriate commencement honors if they attain a grade-point average of 0.2 greater than those specified for three years of residence work.

Departmental Honors

Students who earn at least a 3.4 UK cumulative GPA and a 3.4 GPA in the departmental major will receive departmental and commencement honors. Students are not eligible for departmental honors if they have any grades of "D" in the major.

Departmental and commencement honors are noted on the transcript and the diploma.

Degree Certification

After we receive the final grades, typically during the 3-5 weeks after the end of the semester, we examine each graduate's record to ensure that the student has met all degree requirements. This process must be completed before any degrees are certified or diplomas issued. Your degree will be posted approximately 4-5 weeks after the graduation ceremony. If your degree has not been posted by 5 weeks after graduation, please call the graduation officer.

Diplomas will be issued following the degree certification process (see above). You should receive your diploma by mail approximately 8-10 weeks after the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Web Page

See the UK Registrar's graduation web page for answers to most frequently asked questions about graduation (for example, caps and gowns purchases, times and locations for ceremonies, parking information).