The desire to cross the stage at commencement often confuses students about whether they have truly finished their academic journey. Students close to completing their programs often face the dilemma of participating in the ceremony now or waiting until all requirements are satisfied. This highlights the misconception that the symbolic act of walking is equivalent to the official conferral of a degree. Understanding the distinction between the celebration and the certification is necessary for making informed decisions.
Understanding the Difference Between Walking and Graduating
“Walking” refers to participating in the commencement ceremony, a symbolic and celebratory event honoring the accomplishments of the graduating class. During this formal event, students typically wear regalia, hear speeches, and walk across a stage to receive a diploma cover. Commencement is a ritualistic celebration for students and their families, signifying the beginning of a new phase of life.
Graduating is the official academic action that formally confers the degree upon a student by the university’s governing body. This process occurs only after the Registrar or degree audit staff verifies that all academic requirements have been met. Requirements include minimum credit hours, specific course completion, and required grade point averages. The degree is officially recorded on the academic transcript, and the diploma is mailed weeks later.
Institutional Policies on Participating in Commencement Early
Most colleges permit students to participate in commencement before their degree requirements are fully met, often called “walking early.” This allowance is typically made under strict conditions, ensuring students are genuinely close to finishing their programs. Institutions commonly limit outstanding coursework to a small number of credits, such as 3, 6, or 9 credit hours, or no more than two remaining courses.
Students must usually be in good academic standing, often requiring a minimum institutional and cumulative grade point average, such as a 2.0. They must also file an approved plan outlining how the remaining requirements will be completed, typically in the term immediately following the ceremony. Obtaining permission to walk early requires approval, usually from the academic dean or a college representative.
The Practical Steps for Applying to Walk
The administrative process for participating in the ceremony before officially graduating is separate from the academic process of earning the degree. The first step involves filing an “Intent to Graduate” or “Application for Degree” form for the expected completion term. This filing notifies the college of the student’s intention and initiates the degree audit process.
Students must separately register or RSVP to participate in the physical commencement ceremony. This registration secures a seat and is necessary for logistical planning, such as guest ticket allotments. Concurrently, the student must contact their academic advisor or the Registrar’s office to request approval for early participation, often by completing an “Early Walk Agreement Form.” The college must officially confirm eligibility before the student purchases regalia or pays commencement fees.
Why Walking is Not the Same as Earning a Degree
Participating in commencement without completing all requirements means the degree remains officially unearned, carrying practical consequences. The academic transcript will not show degree conferral until all outstanding requirements are satisfied and verified. While a student may receive a decorative diploma cover at the ceremony, the physical diploma is withheld until the degree is officially awarded.
This lack of official conferral affects post-graduation plans. A student cannot truthfully claim to hold a degree on job applications or when applying to graduate school. Employers and admissions offices rely on the official transcript to confirm completion, and pending status can complicate employment start dates or program acceptance. Failure to complete the remaining coursework by the approved deadline means the degree will not be awarded.
Completing Your Degree Requirements After Commencement
For students who participate in commencement early, the period immediately following the ceremony is important for following through on the approved completion plan. Students must ensure they are properly enrolled in the remaining required courses, often during a summer session or the subsequent fall term. Maintaining communication with the academic advisor and the Registrar’s office is necessary to keep the completion plan on track.
Students must be aware of the institution’s deadlines for degree completion, as some colleges impose time limits for fulfilling final requirements after an initial degree audit. If a student misses the deadline for the intended graduation term, they typically must reapply for a later graduation date and may incur an additional application fee. The degree will only be conferred once all final grades are posted and the university conducts a final audit.