First, there’s an important distinction between graduation and Commencement.
You’ve almost completed your degree. It’s time to think about graduation.
Graduation
Graduation means you’ve completed your degree. You can graduate in December, May, or August. You must apply for graduation so that we can verify you’ve met your degree requirements.
There’s specialized graduation information for students in general studies.
Commencement
Commencement is a ceremony that IU Indianapolis holds each May to honor new graduates.
All students who have completed or will complete their degree requirements during the current academic year (December, May, and August) can participate in May Commencement. So you can participate in Commencement even if you’re taking summer classes to finish your degree.
The School of Liberal Arts also holds an event for its new graduates.
Learn about IU Indianapolis Commencement and school eventsApply to graduate
Applying to graduate is an important step that all students must complete. You’re telling us when you plan to complete your degree.
Undergraduates: if you apply to graduate by the priority deadline, you’ll receive a degree audit to see if you’ll meet your degree requirements by your intended graduation date. We’ll contact you if we see any problems. We’ll also start sending you information about Commencement.
Deadlines for undergrads to apply for graduation
May 2025 graduation
- Priority deadline: October 15, 2024. Only students who applied by this deadline are guaranteed a degree audit prior to the start of spring classes.
- Final deadline: January 1, 2025. Apply by this date to be eligible to graduate with distinction and to make sure your name is in the Commencement program.
August 2025 graduation
- Priority deadline: January 15, 2025. Only students who applied by this deadline are guaranteed a degree audit prior to the start of summer classes. You’ll also be eligible to graduate with distinction, and your name will be in the Commencement program.
- Final deadline: May 1, 2025
December 2025 graduation
- Priority deadline: May 15, 2025. Only students who applied by this deadline are guaranteed a degree audit prior to the start of fall classes.
- Final deadline: October 1, 2025
May 2026 graduation
- Priority deadline: October 15, 2025. Only students who applied by this deadline are guaranteed a degree audit prior to the start of spring classes.
- Final deadline: January 1, 2026. Apply by this date to be eligible to graduate with distinction and to make sure your name is in the Commencement program.
More information for undergraduates
Do you need to delay your graduation?
Tell us as soon as possible. Contact Tiea Julian in Cavanaugh Hall 401 or libarecs@iu.edu.
Graduation with distinction
Learn about eligibility to graduate with distinction in the IU School of Liberal Arts Bulletin. These are IU guidelines that we cannot break. See the IU Indianapolis Bulletin for more details.
Diplomas
Diplomas are mailed to the “diploma” address that is listed in your SIS Student Center. Make sure this information is entered before the end of the semester with the address where you want your diploma sent.
The printed diploma will be mailed directly to you, at that address, within 8–10 weeks after the end of the semester. When it’s shipped, you’ll get an email alert so make sure you’re continuing to monitor your IU email account after graduation.
Update your degree name
Your degree name will appear on diplomas, certificates, and Commencement. By default, your degree name will be the same as your primary (legal) name unless you update it through self-service at One.IU.
Changes made to degree names less than 30 days prior to your graduation date might not be reflected on your diploma. Additionally, changes made after February 28 may not be reflected in the spring Commencement program.
Minors
Minors are confirmed in Student Affairs. Please visit the Minor Declaration Form to let us know you are working towards a Liberal Arts minor. If you are completing minor coursework in the same semester of graduation, you must be in timely communication with Student Affairs because there is a short turnaround from final grades to degree conferral. Minors will not be awarded after a degree is conferred.