Undergraduate Student Graduation

Students gather for commencement event at Knowlton Hall big stairs

Undergraduate Student Graduation

Deadlines

Graduation applications must be complete at least one semester prior to your anticipated date of graduation.

Spring Graduation Deadlines

  1. Complete the application to graduate by the 2nd Friday of autumn semester.
  2. Complete the graduation appointment by the 5th Friday of autumn semester.

Summer and Autumn Graduation Deadlines

  1. Complete the application to graduate by the 2nd Friday of spring semester.
  2. Complete the graduation appointment by the 5th Friday of spring semester.

Graduation Checklist

  1. Review your degree audit.
  2. Complete the application to graduate.
  3. Complete the graduation appointment.
  4. Review information from the Knowlton School and College of Engineering.
  5. Review the Graduation Booklet.
  6. Review the commencement ceremony information.
  7. Complete the commencement ceremony excused form (if not attending commencement)
  8. Ensure final grades are posted.
  9. Complete the Knowlton School Exit Survey.

Degree Audit

Prepare to apply for graduation by reviewing your degree audit (see Degree Audit for Students for information about generating a degree audit; make sure to run your default program as shown on page 6).

Application to Graduate

Complete this application by the 2nd Friday of the semester prior to your anticipated graduation date.

Graduation Appointment

To finalize your graduation application, complete a graduation appointment with a Knowlton advisor no later than the 5th Friday of the semester prior to your anticipated graduation date. In this required appointment, your advisor will discuss the information you submitted on the application in addition to any questions or concerns you have about graduation. Bring a copy of your degree audit to the appointment.

Honors students who have previously submitted Honors documentation should schedule their graduation appointment with Jessica Baer-Graves.

Information from the Knowlton School and College of Engineering

The Knowlton School Graduation Services (knowlton-graduation@osu.edu) and the College of Engineering Graduation Services (ENG-Graduation@osu.edu) will send important information directly to your Ohio State email address during the semester that you plan to graduate. Please review this information and take appropriate action as needed.

Graduation Booklet

You will receive a "Graduation Booklet" via email during the semester you plan to graduate. This email will contain important information and instructions regarding commencement. You will not receive a hard copy booklet. You will also receive an important email asking you to verify the accuracy of your information (name, hometown, honors).

Commencement Ceremony Information

All information about commencement (graduation attire, parking, rehearsal) can be found at the commencement website. Share this information with your family members.

Commencement Ceremony Excused Form

If you will not attend commencement, complete the Commencement Ceremony Excused Form. The online Commencement Ceremony Absence Form is due no later than two weeks prior to graduation.

For commencements held virtually as a result of COVID-19, all diplomas will be sent by mail to students' permanent addresses. Students are not required to submit a Commencement Ceremony Excused Form.

Final Grades

Grade posting deadlines for seniors are earlier than for other students. Make sure that your instructors in your final semester know that you are graduating so that they meet the grade posting deadline.

Knowlton School Exit Survey

A survey link will be sent directly to your Ohio State email address from Knowlton in late April. In order to be certified for graduation, you must complete this survey. The survey allows you to provide anonymous feedback on your program and general experience at Knowlton. The survey also asks you to provide information about your future plans.

Dual Degrees

If you are a dual-degree student and are completing a degree from a department outside of the Knowlton School, you will need to file a separate application with that department.

Latin Honors

Latin Honors are awarded based on a student’s cumulative point-hour ratio as of the term penultimate to their graduation semester. Should a student earn a higher designation in the last term of enrollment, the higher honor will be awarded. The degrees cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are awarded to those graduates who meet the following standards.

Cum laude

Each student who graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 3.69 and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the cum laude designation on the diploma and transcript.

Magna cum laude

Each student who graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 to 3.89 and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the magna cum laude designation upon the diploma and transcript.

Summa cum laude

Each student who graduates with a minimum 3.90 cumulative GPA and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the summa cum laude designation upon the diploma and transcript.

In addition to Latin Honors, qualified students who complete Honors program requirements may graduate with Honors Research Distinction or with honors in architecture, landscape architecture, or city and regional planning.

Deadlines

Term Application Appointment
Spring 2nd Friday of
autumn semester		 5th Friday of
autumn semester
Autumn 2nd Friday of
spring semester		 5th Friday of
spring semester
Summer 2nd Friday of
spring semester		 5th Friday of
spring semester