Applying for Graduation

When Am I Ready to Graduate?

An FIU student walking across the stage as he collects his diploma from President Jessell

Your advisor will be able to tell you when you are ready to graduate. Students should meet with an advisor to review the course work necessary for the completion of a degree.

Credit Required to Graduate:

  • Bachelor's degree - Most Bachelor degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits for a BA or BS degree.
  • Master's degree, Specialist's degree or Doctoral degree - The number of credits required is unique to each program.

Please confirm your requirements in the University Catalog (select the year you were admitted to determine the number of credits you need) and contact your advisor for additional detailed information.

FERPA Notice For Graduating Students

Students who have a FERPA restriction on their records will be excluded from the Commencement Booklet and any Virtual Commencement Ceremonies.  Should you wish to be included, you must remove any restriction through your MyFIU account by the deadline to apply for graduation for the term. Your FERPA restriction may be removed on-line through your MyFIU account by the deadline to apply for graduation for the term.  Please check the Academic Calendar for specific deadline dates.

You may also visit the FIU FERPA website for more information.

How to release FERPA Restrictions for Commencement Booklet and Commencement Ceremony:

1. Log in to MyFIU and click on the Profile tile.

2. Click on the Privacy Restrictions link on the left menu pane.

3. Click on the FIU Degree option.

4. Click on the Clear All button to clear all restrictions under FIU and Click on the Save button on the left upper corner.

5. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for FIU Degree, FIU Academic Program, Names and Photograph.

How to Apply

To apply for graduation, students must log into their MyFIU. Log in and select 'Academic Records,' then 'Apply for Graduation.'

You will receive a confirmation email once your graduation application has been successfully submitted.

Note: Applying for graduation does not automatically register you for your commencement ceremony. For more information on how to register for your commencement ceremony, commencement registration deadlines, and information on how to order guest tickets please visit https://commencement.fiu.edu.

Ineligible to Graduate

  • What if I failed a course?

    If you fail a course that is required for your program, you will not be able to graduate until you repeat and successfully pass that course.

    You will need to cancel your graduation and re-apply for the following term. You will not be eligible to add courses for the following term with an active graduation application. If you have not used all of your grade forgiveness, you might be able to use one for this class.

  • What if I have incomplete grades?

    If you have applied for graduation, you must hand in any outstanding work to the instructor, by the end of the semester for which you have applied. This will allow the instructor enough time to grade your work, turn in the change of grade form, and meet the graduation deadline. If you have not applied for graduation, you have two semesters (including summer) to submit all relevant coursework. The incomplete grade (IN) will automatically default to a failing grade (F) if the coursework is not completed in this time frame.

    You cannot graduate (receive a diploma) with incomplete grades, even if the course(s) are not needed as part of your degree requirements.

Cancel an Application

Students who need to cancel their graduation application should file a Graduation Ineligibility Form with their academic advisor. Students will not be able to continue to enroll in coursework the following semester if they have not formally cancelled their graduation application.

The Graduation Ineligibility Form must be signed by the academic advisor, the Academic Dean, and stamped by the department. Submit the form through MyFIU. Your graduation application is valid only for the semester in which you apply. This means that if you cancel your application for graduation, you must re-apply for the semester you intend to graduate in.

Commencement

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the graduation ceremonies. To learn more, visit the Commencement website.

  • What is the difference between Commencement and Graduation?
    • Graduation – Fulfillment of academic requirements and the award of a degree and diploma.
    • Commencement – A ceremony where graduates walk dressed in academic regalia (cap and gown) to be congratulated by the university’s leadership and faculty.

    Commencement is just the celebration. It doesn't mean you've officially graduated.

  • When is Commencement held?

    Commencement ceremonies are held at the end of the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. See the Commencement Schedule for ceremony dates, times, location and other information.

    The following are tentatively scheduled dates for the Commencement Ceremonies. Dates for each term will be finalized as we get closer to the ceremonies. Please refer to commencement.fiu.edu for updates.

    Fall 2024: December 16 – 19, 2024

    Spring 2025: April 27 – May 1, 2025

    Summer 2025: July 27 – 31, 2025

    Fall 2025: December 14 – 18, 2025

    Spring 2026: April 26 – 30, 2026

    Summer 2026: July 26 – 30, 2026

  • Do I have to apply for Commencement?

    Yes, students confirm attendance for commencement after they have applied for graduation. Follow the Commencement Checklist to attend the ceremonies.

    Students do not need to get "cleared" to participate in Commencement. If you have an active graduation application on your account and have purchased your guest tickets, you may participate in Commencement.

  • How many tickets do we get for Commencement?

    Visit Pass & Guest Tickets to learn more about how many guests you can bring and how to order your tickets. Act fast as there is a deadline and tickets sell out quickly.

  • Will I get my diploma at Commencement?

    No, the Awarding of Degree & Diploma are granted after Commencement.

Graduate with Honors

FIU graduate, Milagros Yanes, standing her graduation ceremony as she is being recognized for her achievements.

Undergraduate students with qualifying GPAs will receive special honors that will be denoted on the student’s transcript and diploma. Students eligible for honors by GPA are also required to have a minimum of 40 credit hours at FIU (not including “P” or “AU” grades) to receive honors. There is no upward rounding in GPA’s.

  • Cum Laude – 3.5-3.699
  • Magna Cum Laude – 3.7-3.899
  • Summa Cum Laude – 3.9-4.0

Note: The FIU Bookstore maintains a list of undergraduate students who, at the time that they applied for graduation, achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and who, when counting current term enrollment, will have earned at least 40 credits hours from FIU in which grade points are received. Students who meet these criteria will be allowed to purchase an honor cord to be worn over their regalia during Commencement.

Graduate degrees do not award honors for GPA.

Associate in Arts Degree

Eligible degree-seeking students interested in having the Associate in Arts degree posted to their transcript can visit Division of Academic & Student Affairs for more information and the application.