Graduation FAQs

Do I need to apply to graduate?

Yes, graduation is not automatic. Students must formally apply to graduate to indicate their intention to complete requirements by the expected graduation date and begin the graduation certification process. Students are responsible for submitting an Application for Degree reflecting the semester in which they plan to graduate.

To be eligible for graduation, students (undergraduate and graduate) must apply no later than the published Application for Degree deadline listed in the Academic Calendar.

For all students, the Application for Degree process is submitted online via ESTHER.

  1. Login to ESTHER
  2. From the Students tab, click Students - General.
  3. Click on Graduation.
  4. Click on Application for Degree - Undergraduate Students or Application for Degree - Graduate Students

Follow the instructions within ESTHER, and be sure to click both the SAVE RESPONSES and the COMPLETE QUESTIONNAIRE buttons.

Does Rice charge a graduation application fee? Is there a fee to apply to graduate?

No. While many colleges and universities charge a graduation application fee, Rice does not. There is no fee to submit an Application for Degree if submitted by the published deadline listed in the Academic Calendar. However, please be advised that applications received late and after the deadline are charged a $100 Late Application Fee.

I’m a graduate student. The degree for which I’m applying does not appear on the Application for Degree in ESTHER. What do I do?

Please send an email to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@rice.edu with the missing degree information.

This situation typically applies to doctoral (PhD) students seeking to complete an Application for Degree for a candidacy master’s degree. Please email the Office of the Registrar so that the missing degree can be added to your record.

I tried to complete the online Application for Degree, but I received an error message. What should I do now?

Send an email to registrar@rice.edu and provide information about the error message you received.

Two types of error messages include: "No curricula available for graduation application," and “This form has not been assigned to you.”

What can I expect after I've applied to graduate?

Once your Application for Degree has been submitted and processed, you will receive a system-generated notification sent to your Rice email address.

There are a series of degree certification reviews that take place. For undergraduates, the first review is an audit of the university graduation requirements (such as FWIS, Distribution (I/II/III), Analyzing Diversity, and LPAP for undergraduate degree candidates) done by the Office of the Registrar. The second review is an audit of the requirements of your declared major(s), and where applicable, declared minor(s) and/or certificate(s). This is done by the appropriate offering department or program. Graduate students are also additionally reviewed by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).

Degree Works is Rice University's official electronic degree audit system. As a degree candidate, (a student who has applied for graduation), it is highly recommended that students monitor their degree progress in Degree Works throughout their final year. This includes all undergraduate students and graduate students in professional or terminal master’s degree programs or in graduate certificate programs.(Graduate students in other degree programs (such as MA, MS, or doctoral programs) should consult their home department and/or the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).) Students should also check their Rice email account regularly for any important messages. You will be informed if there are any issues with your degree requirements.

Your Degree Works degree audit will remain under review until your final semester's Last Day of Classes.

After final grades are posted, the final graduation degree certification review begins and final graduation status is determined. The Office of the Registrar will verify that all degree requirements have been met.

More information regarding the Graduation Certification process can be found here.

I submitted an online Application for Degree for May degree conferral, but I had to postpone my graduation until August. Do I have to resubmit the online Application for Degree?

It depends. Students can submit the Application for Degree once per academic year (for either fall, spring, or summer semesters). If your graduation term changes to another term within the same academic year, your application for degree is still valid, and you do not need to resubmit the online Application for Degree. However, if your graduation term is updated to a term in a future academic year (i.e., May 2024 to December 2024), you will need to resubmit an Application for Degree at the beginning of the Fall semester (when the online application is available for the new academic year). To confirm your graduation status via ESTHER.

  1. Log in to ESTHER.
  2. From the Students tab, click Students - General
  3. Click on Graduation
  4. Click on Verify Graduation Status

The graduation status information is also visible in Degree Works, or students can email registrar@rice.edu with questions about the degree status.

How do I know if I am approved to graduate?

Students are not approved to graduate until their final semester is complete and all final grades have been submitted. Students who have met all degree requirements successfully (upon final grades submission and review) will have their graduation status changed from PN-Pending Final Grades/Review to AG-Approved to Graduate.

To confirm your graduation status via ESTHER.

  1. Log in to ESTHER.
  2. From the Students tab, click Students - General
  3. Click on Graduation
  4. Click on Verify Graduation Status

The graduation status information is also visible in Degree Works, or students can email registrar@rice.edu with questions about the degree status.

I completed my degree requirements in December. Do I need to do anything special to attend the May Commencement?

December degree candidates are eligible and encouraged to participate in the annual Commencement Ceremony in May. Unless you notified us that you will not be participating, we expect your attendance at the May Commencement. Degree candidates are asked to inform the Office of the Registrar by e-mail to let them know which ceremony they desire to participate in.

For commencement participation details, undergraduate students should contact their residential college or department coordinator, and graduate students should contact their department Program Coordinator or Program Administrator and/or the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) for more information.

Information for degree candidates may be found on Rice University's official Commencement website at https://commencement.rice.edu. If the information that you are looking for is not listed on the Commencement website, you may send an email to commencement@rice.edu or registrar@rice.edu. Graduate students may additionally wish to contact gradcommencement@rice.edu for more information.

I'm graduating in the Summer or Fall. Can I participate in both the December and May Commencement Ceremonies?

No. Degree candidates can participate (and "walk across the stage") in one Commencement Ceremony, either in December or May. Students graduating in Summer or Fall have the option of participating in the December Commencement Ceremony, or they may choose to wait and participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony, in the following May. Degree candidates are asked to inform the Office of the Registrar by e-mail to let them know which ceremony they desire to participate in.

Information for degree candidates may be found on Rice University's official Commencement web page at https://commencement.rice.edu.

If I am unsuccessful with my graduation attempt, do I complete another application to apply for a future semester?

It depends. Students are responsible for submitting another Application for Degree if their expected graduation term changes to a term in a future academic year (i.e., May 2024 to December 2024). If the expected graduation term changes to a term within the same academic year (i.e., December 2023 to May 2024 or May 2024 to August 2024) a new application is not necessary. A new academic year begins each fall, and the Application for Degree is available at the beginning of the Fall semester (for fall, spring, or summer degree candidates in the new academic year). To change your expected graduation date, or if you are unable to submit an Application for Degree, please email registrar@rice.edu.

I applied for graduation but need to apply for a different term. How do I change my application for graduation?

If you need to change the expected graduation term/date on your record, please send a message from your Rice email account to registrar@rice.edu, specifying your new expected graduation date. If your expected graduation term changes to a term in a future academic year (i.e., May 2024 to December 2024), a new Application for Degree will be necessary when the new academic year begins in the Fall semester. If the expected graduation term changes to a term in the same academic year (i.e., December 2023 to May 2024 or May 2024 to August 2024) a new application is not necessary.

Can I graduate if I have an incomplete (INC) grade?

No. Incomplete grades cannot be given if you are a degree candidate.

I owe Rice University money. How will that affect my graduation?

If you have a billing or financial hold on your record because you owe money to the university, your actual graduation and awarding of your degree will not be affected. However, depending on the circumstances, you may not be able to receive a diploma, degree verification, or other official documents until the balance is resolved. For any questions regarding balances or how it may affect you, you should contact the Bursar's Office.

When will I receive my diploma?

Please see the Obtaining Your Diploma page at https://registrar.rice.edu/students/diplomas#Obtaining

How do I verify my diploma information?
  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Students tab, click Students - General
  3. Click on Graduation
  4. Click on Verify Diploma Information

If you wish to update your diploma name or address, please enter the updated information under the corresponding degree and click SUBMIT.

Please note: Diplomas cannot be shipped to Rice residential college addresses. Please update your diploma mailing address if it reflects an on-campus Rice address (i.e., your residential college). Diplomas can be sent to the Office of the Registrar for pick-up.

Where can I get more information about commencement?

Information for degree candidates, schedule of events, and FAQs may be found on the Commencement website at https://commencement.rice.edu.

The schedule of events and ceremonies typically stays the same year after year.

If the information that you are looking for is not listed on the Commencement website, you may send an email to commencement@rice.edu or registrar@rice.edu. Graduate students may additionally wish to contact gradcommencement@rice.edu for more information.

Undergraduate degree candidates should contact their residential college or department coordinator for additional information. Graduate students should contact their department Program Coordinator or Program Administrator and/or the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) for more information.