Graduation and Commencement

GRADUATION PROCESS

Application for Baccalaureate Degree (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students pursuing a second undergraduate degree)

An application for degree must be submitted on MyCWU no later than the second Friday of the quarter before your expected degree completion term. Example: if you plan to graduate spring quarter, your application is due the second Friday at the beginning of winter quarter. Deadline dates are posted below.

Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements resides with the student.

CHECKLIST:

1. Make sure all petitions for General Education and University degree requirements have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar BEFORE applying for graduation.
2. Complete online graduation application from MyCWU (see instructions below). A student can also apply for their degree by sending Degree Checkout the Graduation Application form by mail, fax, attaching to an email, or bringing the form to Bouillon 140. The form is on the Office of the Registrar website https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/registrar/graduation-resources/index.php. Students that have missed the graduation application deadline and are petitioning for late graduation or students that are reapplying for their degree cannot apply online.
3. Teacher Certification Program students must complete the application for a Washington Residency Teaching Certificate that is available online at https://www.cwu.edu/academics/teacher-certification/.
4. Make sure all major/minor program substitution forms are submitted to Degree Checkout by the end of the quarter you are graduating. Late subs may cause delay in graduating.
5. Pay graduation application fees. Once you have submitted your online application for degree/graduation your fees will be posted to your MyCWU.
6. View graduation status.
7. Watch for commencement participation instructions that will be sent to students after Winter quarter.

Deadlines for Baccalaureate Application
Fall Quarter 2025 July 4, 2025
Winter Quarter 2026 October 3, 2025
Spring Quarter 2026 January 16, 2026
Summer Quarter 2026 April 10, 2026

Applying for Graduation
Navigation: MyCWU > Student > Graduation > Apply for Graduation
Students can apply for graduation through MyCWU. A student is eligible for graduation, once they navigate to the above link, they will see a page similar to the one displayed below. Students are eligible to apply once they have reached 129 graded credits and 30 upper division credits. A student can also apply for their degree by sending Degree Checkout the Graduation Application form by Mail, fax, attaching to an email, or bringing the form to Bouillon 140. The form is on the Office of the Registrar website https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/registrar/graduation-resources/index.php.

1. Click Apply for Graduation.

2. Click the “Apply for Graduation” link as shown below. If a student is not eligible for graduation they will not see the “Apply
for Graduation” link. The student should e-mail Degree Checkout at Degree.Checkout@cwu.edu.
 

3. Select Expected Graduation Term and click on the continue button.

4. Click the Submit Application button.

5. A confirmation message will be displayed that the student has applied for graduation.

Viewing Graduation Status
Navigation: MyCWU > Student > Graduation > Graduation Status.

Once a student applies for graduation, they should make sure they check the following frequently:

1. Graduation Status. Students need to verify diploma name, and address of where to send CWU diploma once the degree is awarded.

2. Check MyCWU > Student > Student Dashboard > Holds and To-do list.
3. Check for communications on Student Outlook e-mail.
 

4. Make sure all outstanding account balances are cleared. Check MyCWU > Student > Financial > View My Student Account.

COMMENCEMENT

Commencement Participation
In order to participate in commencement, students must meet one of the following:

• Received degree in summer 2025, fall 2025, or winter 2026.
• Spring 2026 candidate with degree application on file prior to January 16.
• Summer 2026 candidate with application on file prior to April 10.

Students must anticipate completing all degree requirements by the end of the quarter for which they are applying for graduation (If all degree requirements are not completed, they may not be able to participate in commencement). Additional information can be found online at https://www.cwu.edu/commencement/index.php.

Cap and Gown Form
Students participating in June commencement ceremonies must pay the cap and gown fees at the Wildcat Shop. For more information about cap and gown fees, go to wildcatshop.net/. All participants must complete the electronic commencement registration form to be eligible to march in the commencement procession. For more information, go to https://www.cwu.edu/commencement/index.php. Caps and gowns from previous years may not be worn without prior approval from the Wildcat Shop representative in the SURC.

Commencement Dates
The dates for the June 2026 commencement ceremonies are:
Kent: June 7, 2026
Ellensburg: June 13, 2026

COURSEWORK AFTER GRADUATION

Fifth Year of Study for the Continuing Teaching Certification
Those holding a valid residency teaching certificate and progressing normally through Washington’s current teacher education program may seek a continuing teaching certificate, as outlined in the current catalog. A program plan must be submitted to the director of certification.

Second Baccalaureate Degree
Qualified students seeking a second baccalaureate degree are admitted in post-baccalaureate status. To receive a second baccalaureate degree, students must complete:

1. Re-application for admission to the university as a post-baccalaureate.
2. Any degree requirements not satisfied by the previous degree.
3. A minimum of 45 quarter credits from Central.

Post-baccalaureate students must follow regulations applicable to undergraduates.