We are excited that you will soon earn your degree!  You should prepare for graduation by reviewing this key information.

Timeline: Dates and Deadlines

Your action items and expectations.

  • Degree Audit

    Each July and December, Academic Services will review the possible graduates of the upcoming summer, fall, and spring semesters:

    You will receive an email from Academic Services with a summary of your degree progress. 

  • Spring Graduates

    Degrees are conferred in May to students that complete all requirements by the end of the spring semester (May).

    January 21: Last day to register or add regular session courses, including comprehensive exams and internships (use Cardinal Students), see Academic Calendar.

    Mid-February: You will receive an email confirming your ability to graduate IF you successfully pass your spring courses. 

    March 4: Last day for Spring 2022 graduation candidates to apply for graduation in Cardinal Students, see How to Apply to Graduation.

  • Summer Graduates

    Degrees are conferred in October to students that complete all requirements by the end of the summer semester (August).

    July 29: Last day for Summer graduation candidates to apply for graduation in Cardinal Students, see How to Apply to Graduation.

  • Fall Graduates

    Degrees are conferred in January to students that complete all requirements by the end of the fall semester (December).

    Late August: Fall graduates will be notified if they are correctly registered for courses in order to graduate by December. 

    September 10: Last day to add/drop classes for Fall 2021, see Academic Calendar.

    December: After review of final grades, Academic Services will email students to confirm they have successfully completed all requirements.  

    December 10: Last day for Fall 2021 graduation candidates to apply for graduation in Cardinal Students, see How to Apply to Graduation.

    January 8: The official conferral date listed on fall graduate diplomas.  Diplomas are mailed to home addresses after this date.

Verify completion of degree requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have satisfied all degree requirements.

  • General degree requirements

    See Academic Regulations for Undergraduates, XIII. General Degree Requirements. 

    • A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
    • Completion of at least 120 credit hours
    • At least 60 credits completed at Catholic University (consortium and/or study abroad courses count for this requirement)
    • At least 30 of the last 36 credits completed at Catholic University, typically your last 10 of 12 courses (consortium and/or study abroad courses count for this requirement)
  • Major requirements

    • Business courses completed with a C- or higher, consult your degree requirements.
    • Career Discernment Sequence (MGT 199, 299A, 399A, 499A)
    • Comprehensive Assessment
      • BSBA students complete the comprehensive assessment while taking MGT 475, Business Strategy.  The grade of the assessment is recorded in MGT 498 (a 0 credit course)
      • BS in Accounting students complete the comprehensive assessment through a stand alone oral examination.  Students enroll in ACCT 498 for this. 
  • Liberal Arts Requirements

    • Distribution requirements (consult your liberal arts requirements)

Verify Accuracy of Information in Cardinal Station

It is your responsibility to double-check that all academic and personal information is correctly listed in Cardinal Station:

  • Academic and personal information to check in Cardinal Station:

    Select the Academic Progress tile from the main page of Cardinal Students. At the top of the page, you can “View Expected Graduation Term”. This lists all pertinent information. If something is incorrect, email busch-academic-services@cua.edu.

    • Your major and degree
    • Your specialization/minor/certificate (if applicable)
    • Your expected graduation semester (i.e. fall, spring, or summer)

Resources

Graduation FAQ

  • How does my major appear on my diploma?

    Your major does not appear on your diploma. Your major is distinct from your degree. Only the degree is listed. Your major (and any minors/certificates/specializations) is listed on your transcript. 

    • Your major is the subject area you studied, for example: politics, finance, or economics. 
    • Your degree specifies the type of learning you completed, for example: BA, BS, BSBA.  (BA- Bachelor of Arts, BS- Bachelor of Science, BSBA- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.)

    http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/acregsfull.cfm

  • If I am double-majoring, what will my diploma say?

    • The degree corresponding to your primary major will be listed on your diploma.  Your primary and secondary majors are listed on the transcript; they do not appear on the diploma, only the degree is listed.
  • Can I change how my name will appear on my diploma?

    • You specify how your name will appear on your diploma when you submit your GRADUATION APPLICATION (instructions above). 
    • If you have already submitted the GRADUATION APPLICATION, then you MUST email Enrollment Services in order to request a change to your name.
  • May I participate in graduation ceremonies if I have requirements remaining?

    Students that have not completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester may be eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.  Students are eligible if they have no more than two classes remaining.  

    Process:

    1. Students must complete this form
    2. Students must apply for graduation as of Summer 20xx.  
      1. Your Expected Graduation Term is listed in Cardinal Station, see How to View Expected Graduation Term.
      2. You can apply to graduation via Cardinal Station, see How to Apply to Graduation.
    3. Students will participate in graduation ceremonies. 
    4. Students will complete courses in the summer immediately after graduation.
      1. For courses completed off-campus: students must submit transcripts after completing the course. After you have completed the off-campus course(s), please send your official transcript (with grades) directly to the Transfer Coordinator.

        Please have the transcript sent to cua-transfercredit@cua.edu. This is the best way to ensure that the transcript is received by our Transfer Coordinator in a timely manner.

        If the school where you took your class does not have the ability to transfer credits electronically, please have the the official transcript sent to the following address:

        Transfer Credit Coordinator
        Office of Undergraduate Advising
        McMahon Hall 112A
        620 Michigan Ave. N.E
        Washington, DC 20064

      2. For Catholic U courses, students should email Academic Services after receiving a final grade. 
    5. Academic Services will notify Enrollment Services at the end of June, July, and August of graduates.  
    6. Enrollment Services will mail diplomas after receiving confirmation from Academic Services. 

    Requirement/Restrictions:

    • Eligibility to participate in graduation, i.e. walk, is extended only to students that have no more than two classes remaining. 
    • Remaining requirements must be completed in the summer immediately after graduation. 
    • Verification of completing requirements must be received before the end of the month to be included in that month’s list.  There are three deadlines: end of June, end of July, and end of August.
  • How do I become a member of the LEO Honor Society?

    • Each Spring semester, invitations to join the LEO Honor Society are sent out to graduating seniors, rising seniors, and rising juniors. 
    • Information on past LEO society members and current graduating LEO seniors can be found on the Busch School’s Honors & Awards webpage.
  • How do I graduate with Latin Honors?

    A gold sticker on your diploma will indicate if you graduate with Latin Honors.  Details are listed here.
  • Cords

    You may be eligible to receive cords for graduation if you are a member of an honor society.  Busch School students in the LEO honor society will receive cords.  Please contact the LEO officers for information.  If you are a member of other honor societies, please contact those groups.  

    Please note: cords are not issued for Latin Honors, see FAQ above.