Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off and the time has come for you to notify the University of your intent to graduate. As with a traditional program, there is a defined process for students who are completing their degree or certificate program.
Apply for graduation in the month prior to the start of your final subscription period.
- The application for graduation is found in the “other academics” drop-down in your PAWS Student Center. There is an online senior survey included as part of the application process. Please disregard this survey. You will have the opportunity to complete an alternative Flex-specific survey later in the process.
- There is a $40 degree processing fee for all students. It will be posted to your PAWS account and will appear as a separate fee from tuition.
- Bachelor’s degree seeking students: the fee will be charged once you’ve earned 86 credits.
- Associate degree seeking students: the fee will be charged once you’ve earned 45 credits.
- When you complete your graduation application, the Registrar’s Office will automatically be notified of your intent to graduate. This triggers an official final review of your academic work to make sure you have completed your program requirements. Your Success Coach will notify you of any unmet requirements, or better yet, deliver the good news!
- Once your official grades are posted for your final subscription period, (at the close of the 4th calendar day after the end of the subscription period), a final graduation audit will be performed. If all is in order, your degree will be posted and your graduation official!
Check PAWS and resolve any holds (financial or other) on your student account. Your diploma will be held until your account status is in good standing.
- The Registrar’s Office will order your diploma after the degree is posted. Your diploma will indicate that your degree is granted by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
- Your diploma will indicate the final date of your last subscription period. This will be considered the date your “degree was conferred.”
Participate in Commencement and/or Departmental Celebrations (optional)
University Commencement
- There are two commencement ceremonies at UW-Milwaukee: one in December and one in May. Once you apply for graduation you will receive information about the UWM graduation process and commencement ceremony.
- Deadlines to complete the application for graduation:
- December ceremony: by Oct 1
- May ceremony: by April 1
- If you have been cleared for graduation and had not intended to march but now wish to participate in a ceremony, you may do so if there is time to receive a UWM cap and gown. You would simply show up at the ceremony, with cap and gown, and submit your name to be read as you walked across the stage to receive your diploma cover (diplomas are not issued at the ceremony; an empty cover is handed out).
- In the event that you don’t successfully complete your final courses as expected, your form will be held, and depending on the timing, you may be asked to participate in the next ceremony rather than the current one. If you have already paid the graduation fee, this too will be held on the account; you will not be charged again.
Additional Events by Program (optional):
School of Nursing Pinning and Hooding Ceremony
- In addition to the UWM commencement ceremony, the School of Nursing holds a Pinning Ceremony celebration for its nursing graduates. This event is held twice a year, on Saturday that precedes the campus commencement ceremony.
- There is no additional fee required to participate.
- You will be notified of the event and details by the School of Nursing Student Affairs Office during your last subscription period. Included in the information will be a form that you are asked to complete, indicating any previous recognitions or awards received and other pertinent information. This form should be completed and submitted at the beginning of the final month of the subscription period in which you will be completing your program.
- In the event you don’t successfully complete your final courses expected, your Success Coach will inform the School of Nursing of the situation. As with your campus graduation application, your School of Nursing form will be held, and depending on the timing, you may be asked to participate in the next ceremony rather than the current one.
School of Information Studies
- The School of Information Studies hosts a Recognition Ceremony in both fall and spring, held in tandem with the campus commencement event. You can elect to participate in either program.
- There is no additional fee assessed for participation.
- After you have submitted your application for graduation, you will receive information directly from the School of Information Studies about the event, along with a survey that requests an rsvp. Information is also posted to the SOIS website.
- In the event you don’t successfully complete your final courses as expected, your Success Coach will inform the School of Information Studies of the situation. You may still be eligible to participate in the event, however, you will be sent a new form, once your final subscription period is determined.