If you require information that is not contained in this FAQ, contact the University Registrar's Office via e-mail or at 412-268-1984.
Where may I find details about Carnegie Mellon's Commencement ceremony?
For specific details concerning Commencement, refer to www.cmu.edu/commencement.
How can I request a degree application for graduation?
It is not necessary to request a degree application. All degree candidates should verify the information on Graduation On-Line, and make any necessary corrections.
What should I do if my new permanent address is not listed on Graduation On-Line?
Current students can make the necessary corrections on Graduation On-Line or contact the University Registrar's Office via e-mail or at 412-268-1984. Alumni must submit a written request to The HUB in order to request this update.
What is the university policy on participation in Commencement Exercises?
Background
A number of instructional programs at Carnegie Mellon University are designed to conclude at times other than the end of the spring semester. In addition, students frequently conclude individual courses, projects or theses needed to complete their degree requirements at various times during the course of the year. While degrees are awarded by Carnegie Mellon University three times during the year (in May, August and December), there is only one formal Commencement ceremony in May.
Participation in Commencement exercises should, in principle, be a privilege reserved for those students who have already completed their degree requirements. Nevertheless, it is frequently difficult for students to return to the Carnegie Mellon campus after their educational programs are concluded.
Participation Standards
This procedure concerns three separate sets of actions: (1) physical participation in Commencement exercises, including the processional march, (2) receipt of the actual valid Carnegie Mellon diploma for the program of study (and hood, if appropriate), and (3) listing in the Commencement book.
All undergraduate and Masters students who are certified by their colleges as expected to complete their studies by the deadline for expected August graduation during a given calendar year will be allowed to march in that year's May Commencement ceremony, if they wish to do so. Those students who are expected to fulfill degree requirements after May would be listed in the Commencement program as August graduates. Students who are expected to complete their degree requirements later than the August deadline will be not allowed to march and be listed in the program of the May Commencement ceremony of the following year. Ph.D. students may not march or be hooded until after they have defended.
In all cases, only students who have fulfilled their graduation requirements by the May deadline would receive their actual diplomas or hoods during the May Commencement. Graduates fulfilling requirements after May would receive their diplomas (and hoods) only after completing their requirements.
The Commencement program includes those students who had graduated during the previous December, plus those students expected to graduate in May or August before the beginning of the new academic year. Because of early printing deadlines, some students may not graduate on time, even though they are listed in the Commencement booklet as expected to graduate by May or August for a particular year.
What additional regalia may be worn?
In an effort to communicate the guidelines for stoles and/or pins, the Events Management Office, along with the Associate Deans' Council has approved the following:
Graduating students may wear 1 stole ONLY with their academic regalia. Students are certainly permitted to receive/purchase more than 1 stole if they are a member of multiple organizations that issue stoles and may choose to wear a particular stole to the main commencement ceremony and another to their diploma ceremony.
Graduating students that are a member of a club/organization that issue pins to designate affiliation are permitted to wear more than 1 pin with your academic regalia along with 1 stole.
When are diplomas distributed?
Diplomas will be distributed to all students who have met degree requirements at the May Commencement ceremony. Diplomas not picked up at Commencement will be mailed at no cost to the student's address as indicated on Graduation On-Line, approximately one month after graduation.
All special mailing requests are subject to additional charges.
August diplomas are ordered and mailed at no cost to the student during the month of November.
December diplomas are ordered and mailed at no cost to the student during the month of March.
I am scheduled to graduate in May. However I have one more course to take to have an additional major/minor listed on my diploma. How can I ensure that the additional major/minor is posted to my diploma?
Your option is to change your graduation date from May to August, register for and complete the required course during the summer and have your degree certified for August.
What information will appear on my diploma?
A Carnegie Mellon diploma is yours certificate of accomplishment. Your official transcript is to be considered the official record for all degree(s), major(s), minor(s), and honors.
Diplomas is printed with your name (as approved within Graduation On-Line), along with your primary degree (i.e. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering).
Diplomas are distributed to graduates during or immediately following the commencement ceremony. Circumstances can result in you receiving your diploma at a later date, and you will be informed of this well before the ceremony. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, diplomas will be available for pick-up or mail-out in the weeks following commencement. Diplomas are not available prior to the stated date of graduation.
The diploma is 14 x 17 inches and is marked with a gold and burgundy seal.
I have earned college honors. Will that be noted on my diploma?
No. Only university honors can be listed on the diploma. College honors are listed on the official transcript.
What information will appear on my official transcript?
The transcript is your official record of progress and accomplishment at Carnegie Mellon. In addition to a complete academic record, your major field of study and any minor(s) will appear on the official transcript (i.e. Major: Business Administration, Minor: English).
Can I add an additional major or minor to my degree once the course work is completed?
No. Once the degree has been certified and granted, that degree cannot be amended in any way.
My name is misspelled/incorrect on my diploma. What should I do?
If your printed name is incorrect due to the fault of Carnegie Mellon, the diploma will be reordered at no charge.
However, if you failed to correct your name on Graduation On-Line or to otherwise notify us of how you wanted your name to appear on the diploma, you must submit a written, signed request for the replacement diploma with the correct information and pay the $50.00 replacement fee via cash, check, VISA or MasterCard.
How do I obtain a diploma authentication?
To have your diploma authenticated, please submit:
An 8 1/2" x 11" photocopy of your diploma
A signed letter requesting authentication, including an address to which it should be mailed.
Return mailing instructions as well as a phone number or e-mail address where you can be reached in the event that we require additional information.
Carnegie Mellon will provide a signed notarized letter of authentication on the reverse side of your diploma photocopy, and forward it to the specified address.
For additional information on diploma authentication, please see our diploma authentication page.
What is the process for requesting a replacement diploma?
In order to request a replacement diploma, Carnegie Mellon requires that the alumnus supply us with a written, signed request. That request must include the name as it should appear on the diploma, the year of graduation, and an address where to mail the diploma. These requests normally take 8-10 weeks for delivery. The cost is $50 and may be charged to Visa or MasterCard.
Please send requests to:
University Registrar's Office
Warner Hall A-19
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890