Preparing for Graduation

Rice degrees are officially conferred three times per academic year: December (Fall), May (Spring), and August (Summer).

Submit Application for Degree

All students who wish to graduate must submit an Application for Degree via ESTHER by the deadline specified in the official Academic Calendar. Submitting the application initiates an official audit of a student’s academic record across department/program and university levels.

Semester of Expected Graduation Student Level Application for Degree Deadline
December (Fall) 2026 All degree candidates (Undergraduate-level and Graduate-level) Friday, September 25, 2026
May (Spring) 2027 Undergraduate-level degree candidates Friday, October 30, 2026
Graduate-level degree candidates Friday, January 22, 2027
August (Summer) 2027 All degree candidates (Undergraduate-level and Graduate-level) Friday, July 2, 2027

Certification and Review Process

Once an Application for Degree is submitted, degree candidates’ records undergo multiple reviews leading up to final certification and degree conferral.

Undergraduate-level Degree Candidates

Review Stage Reviewing Office Graduation Status
Initial Review Office of the Registrar
  • AP – Applied
Departmental/Program Review Department/Program Degree Works Official Certifier for a student’s declared major(s), minor(s), and/or university certificate(s)
  • Pending (PN, PR)
  • Deficient (D0, D1, D2, D3)
Final Certification Office of the Registrar
  • AG – Approved to Graduate
  • AW – Awarded

Graduate-level Degree Candidates

Review Stage Reviewing Office Graduation Status
Initial Review Office of the Registrar
  • AP – Applied
Departmental/Program Review
  • Department/Program Degree Works Official Certifier for Professional and/or Terminal, Non-Thesis Master’s Degree Programs
  • Department/Program Review for doctoral (PhD, DMA) and MA, MS degrees
  • UR – University Requirements Review
  • Deficient (D0, D1, D2, D3)
Graduate-level Requirements Review Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • Pending (PN, PR, PT)
Final Certification Office of the Registrar
  • AG – Approved to Graduate
  • AW – Awarded

Graduation Status Reference

A student’s graduation status can be found in ESTHER and Degree Works. It will update automatically as the degree candidate record is reviewed and moves through each stage.

Active Review – In-Progress Statuses

These graduation statuses indicate that a degree candidate’s record is under active review. Typically, no additional action is required of the student, aside from the successful completion of in-progress coursework and requirements, including thesis submission and related deadlines, as applicable.

AP – Applied: Application for Degree has been submitted.

UR – University Requirements Review (Graduate students only): Record is under review by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) to confirm university-level requirements.

PN – Pending Final Grades / Review: University and program requirements are satisfied, pending successful completion of in-progress coursework.

D0 – In-Progress Non-Course Requirement: Student is lacking a non-course requirement (such as a capstone presentation, portfolio, or internship) that is actively in progress during the current term. No action needed if currently successfully completed by the end of the expected graduation semester.

PT – Pending Thesis (Graduate students only): All coursework is complete; graduation is pending successful completion of thesis requirements (candidacy, defense, or final submission to GPS).

PR – Pending Residency: Pending successful completion of coursework, including the final required semester of residency.

AG – Approved to Graduate: Final grades/thesis items have been verified, and all degree requirements are completed successfully. Approved for degree conferral.

AW – Awarded: Degree has been officially conferred by Rice University. The student is now a member of the Rice alumni community.

Action Required – Deficiency Statuses

Deficiency statuses of D1, D2, D3, or D9 may require action on behalf of the student to resolve any missing requirements toward graduation, to change their expected graduation date, or to take other actions. Degree candidates will be contacted via email by the Office of the Registrar if a deficiency is identified. If requirements are incomplete or deficiencies are unresolved, a student may be removed as an expected degree candidate for that term.

D1 – University Deficiency: Student is missing a general university requirement (e.g., total credit hours, upper-level hours, or LPAP).

D2 – Departmental Deficiency: Student is missing a requirement within their major/program, minor, or certificate program.

D3 – University and Departmental Deficiency: Student is missing both a general university requirement and a requirement in the major/program, minor, or certificate program.

D9 – Under Review (OTR Management): Student’s record is under specialized review by the Office of the Registrar management (e.g., administrative hold).

Additional Information