All students are required to complete a graduation application online in order to receive a degree from Lehigh University. Graduation applications are also required when completing certificates in order for those notations to appear on your transcript. For additional instructions for the graduation application, please review this graduation application guide. "
Applications must be submitted online by the following deadlines:
- Fall term graduation: Apply by October 1
- Spring term graduation: Apply by February 1
- Summer term graduation: Apply by July 1
Applications submitted after the specified deadline will be charged a $50 late application fee. No applications will be accepted within three weeks of the graduation date. Students who fail to submit an application must apply for the next available degree awarding date.
Students are responsible for reviewing their degree audit (for UG students), meeting with an advisor, and ensuring that all degree and/or certificate requirements have been satisfied in accordance with the University Catalog. No degree or certificate will be awarded with incomplete requirements. All requirements must be complete by 8:30 AM(EST) the Friday before the graduation date. Students using transfer credit to receive a degree must submit an official transcript to Registration & Academic Services by this deadline in order to avoid graduation delays.
Undergraduate Graduation Checklist | Graduate Graduation Checklist |
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Commencement
The University holds one commencement ceremony annually in May. Students who are within a year of graduation may participate in the ceremony. Students should not apply for spring graduation solely for the purposes of participating in commencement. Instead, students should apply for graduation for the semester in which they plan to complete their requirements and indicate their intention to participate in the ceremony when completing the online graduation application. Students must submit a graduation application by April 19, 2024 to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
If you are eligible to participate in commencement, you will receive additional communication from the Office of University Events about commencement (including how to RSVP for the ceremony, ordering your cap and gown, and more) during the spring semester of commencement. For more information on commencement, please visit the Lehigh Commencement website.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application approximately 4-6 weeks following the degree awarding date. Students are responsible for providing a valid mailing address when submitting the graduation application. Students can review their graduation application including the diploma mailing address in their Banner account (Student Services --> Student Academic Records --> View Graduation Application). Students who wish to change their diploma mailing address should complete the diplomas address update form (Lehigh account and login required) at least two weeks prior to their graduation date.
CeDiploma
Beginning with spring 2020, we are pleased to offer our graduates a Certified Electronic Diploma at no charge. This is an official, secure, and verifiable PDF diploma that can be shared with anyone.
Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer this service to past graduates prior to spring 2020 at this time.