Degree Application
Students planning to graduate must formally apply for graduation by submitting an Application for Degree.
Online Application for Degree
Near the beginning of the Fall semester, the online Application for Degree will be made available in ESTHER for the academic year. The online Application for Degree is available for all students - undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) students (including undergraduate professional (UP) and graduate quadmester (GQ) students) through the Application for Degree deadline date posted in the Academic Calendar.
After the spring Application for Degree deadline date has passed, undergraduate (UG) students can still apply for graduation, but must do so via paper form (see Pre-Printed Application for Degree Form below).
Instructions for Undergraduate Students
- Login to ESTHER.
- Go to Student Services and Account Information > Graduation.
- Click on Application for Degree - Undergraduate Students.
- Carefully review your degree information (graduation date, degrees, declared majors/minors/certificates, etc.) and confirm that everything is correct.
- If your graduation date is not correct (i.e., you plan to graduate earlier/later than originally expected), email the Office of the Registrar immediately to request a change of graduation date.
- If you are missing a major, major concentration, minor, or university certificate from your record, you will need to submit a Declaration of Major/Minor, and/or University Certificate form to the Office of the Registrar.
- Students should complete the online Application for Degree by the published deadline on the Academic Calendar regardless of any changes you plan to make at a later date (i.e., changing your graduation date and/or adding or dropping a major or minor).
- Answer all of the questions on the questionnaire.
- Click Save Responses.
- Carefully review your answers to confirm that everything is correct then click the Complete Application button. Your Application for Degree is not officially submitted until you click the Complete Application button.
Instructions for Graduate Students
- Login to ESTHER.
- Go to Student Services and Account Information > Graduation.
- Click on Application for Degree - Graduate Students.
- Answer all of the questions on the questionnaire.
- Semester for degree completion (December (Fall semester), May (Spring semester), August (Summer semester), or “I am not applying for this degree yet”)
- Diploma Name
- Select the degree(s) for which you would like to apply by highlighting the check box to the left of the degree(s)
- Notes:
- If more than one degree is on your record (such as a master’s degree and a doctoral degree), and you are only completing the Application for Degree for one of the two degrees, then select “I am not applying for this degree yet” for the degree you are not yet completing this academic year. For example:
- If more than one degree is on your record (such as a master’s degree and a doctoral degree), and you are only completing the Application for Degree for one of the two degrees, then select “I am not applying for this degree yet” for the degree you are not yet completing this academic year. For example:
- Click Save Responses.
- Carefully review your answers to confirm that everything is correct then click the Complete Application button. Your Application for Degree is not officially submitted until you click the Complete Application button.
Notes for Graduate Students:
- If the expected degree information listed on the application is incorrect, please contact the graduate program administrator of your home department, or (if applicable) submit an updated Graduate Declaration and Change of Certificate Form to the Office of the Registrar.
- If you are a doctoral (PhD) student seeking to apply for a master's degree that does not yet appear on the Application for Degree (such as a candidacy master’s degree), please contact the Office of the Registrar by emailing registrar@rice.edu. The Office of the Registrar will add the missing degree to your record so that you can apply for that degree.
Confirm Your Degree Status and Graduation Date
- Login to ESTHER.
- Go to Student Services and Account Information > Graduation.
- Click on Verifying Graduation Status.
- Your Degree Status should show AP (Applied). If your Degree Status shows SO (Sought), you have not completed the Application for Degree.
- Note for Graduate Students: If you have a previously Awarded (AW) degree from Rice, or if you are applying for one of many degrees on your record (such as a master’s degree and a doctoral degree), then you will see other degree statuses associated with other degrees on your record. Verify that the degree for which you are applying shows the Degree Status of Applied (AP). A Degree Status of SO (Sought) will appear for the degree you are not yet completing this academic year. For example:
- Note for Graduate Students: If you have a previously Awarded (AW) degree from Rice, or if you are applying for one of many degrees on your record (such as a master’s degree and a doctoral degree), then you will see other degree statuses associated with other degrees on your record. Verify that the degree for which you are applying shows the Degree Status of Applied (AP). A Degree Status of SO (Sought) will appear for the degree you are not yet completing this academic year. For example:
- Confirm that your Graduation Date listed is the correct Graduate Date for the degree for which you are applying.
- If any corrections need to be made, please contact the Office of the Registrar by emailing registrar@rice.edu.
Confirm Your Diploma Name and Address
- Login to ESTHER.
- Go to Student Services and Account Information > Graduation.
- Click on Verifying Graduation Status > Diploma Name and Address.
- Confirm that your Diploma Name and address listed are correct for the degree(s) for which you are applying.
- If any corrections need to be made, correct them within the ESTHER form and click SUBMIT.
Pre-Printed Application for Degree Form
Submission of the pre-printed Application for Degree Form is the method by which undergraduate (UG) students apply for graduation after the posted Application for Degree deadline (see below). After the Application for Degree deadline has passed, undergraduate (UG) students will not be able to access the Online Application for Degree. Instead, they should download and complete the pre-printed Application for Degree form via ESTHER, and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.
Undergraduate Student Instructions
- Login to ESTHER.
- Go to Student Services and Account Information > Graduation.
- Click on Application for Degree - Undergraduate Students.
- Download and fill out the Application for Degree form.
- Review and make any necessary corrections on the form.
- Sign, date, and submit the form to the Office of the Registrar via email to registrar@rice.edu or in-person.
Application for Degree Deadlines
Please consult the semester specific Academic Calendar for degree application deadlines.
Please Note: All students applying for graduation and submitting an Application for Degree form after the published Academic Calendar deadline will be assessed a $100 late processing fee.
Questions
If you have questions related to the Application for Degree or graduation, please contact the Office of the Registrar.