Graduation Policies

While Taylor University publishes program information and materials to assist students in planning their academic programs, students are solely responsible for ensuring that their course selections fulfill all academic program requirements and comply with the policies and procedures of the University. Students are expected to understand that although evaluations of their academic record will be conducted by the Registrar’s Office and that students will be notified of outstanding requirements and deficiencies in their plans, students are solely responsible for ensuring that all degree requirements are met for graduation from Taylor University.

The Office of the Registrar will conduct two degree evaluations to verify if each student is on track for graduation. Presuming the application for graduation deadline is met, the first evaluation will be completed over the summer for Spring and Summer candidates for graduation or during January for Fall and Interterm candidates for graduation. The second evaluation will be completed prior to the last semester of enrollment. If deficiencies are found in either evaluation, the name of the student will be removed as a candidate for completion and participation in Commencement. It will be the responsibility of the student to notify family. If a new definitive plan addressing the deficiencies is submitted, by April 15 for Spring and Summer candidates, the student may be reinstated as a candidate for graduation.

The preferred deadline for Spring/Summer candidates for graduation is May 1, approximately 12-16 months prior to anticipated graduation. The preferred deadline for Fall/Interterm candidates for graduation is December 1, approximately 12-14 months prior to anticipated graduation. 

Instructions for Applying for Graduation Online

  1. Review your My Taylor University Degree audit to ensure all program information is correct (e.g., Degree, Major(s), Minor(s), catalog year).
  2. If you need to update any of your degree information, please come to the Registrar’s Office and complete and submit the appropriate forms. Note: It is very important all information is correct before applying for graduation!
  3. With your advisor, review your My TU Degree Plan, 4-year plan, or plan for degree completion to determine if you are able to complete your degree when expected and to determine your registration for next semester in order to complete your degree when anticipated.
  4. Ensure that all requirements listed in My TU Degree are being met or planned to be met.  For any requirement being met by any other means than what is listed in My TU Degree, you must submit a course substitution form approved by your advisor and the department chair of your declared major/minor which is being altered.
  5. Login to the myTAYLOR portal and click here to complete your Graduation Application online.  
  6. Complete and submit the next steps:
    1. When asked to “Select a term to determine curriculum for graduation application,” you should simply select the first term listed and click [Submit].
    2. Select the appropriate primary program; normally there would only be one unless you are a double-degree (e.g. BA, BS) and click [Continue].
    3. Select your “Graduation Date” (this is not necessarily the same as the Commencement date) from the drop-down menu and click [Continue]. Note: If you plan to take your final course(s) (including practicum, internship, or research) in Summer to complete your degree, then you must apply for Summer graduation.
    4. Next, indicate if you are planning to attend Commencement in May. (Attendance is expected for everyone; if you are not planning to attend, you must also email the Assistant Registrar your intent.) Click [Continue].
    5. Select the name you wish to appear on your diploma; it will also appear this way in the Commencement program and click [Continue].  If necessary, type in your name exactly how you wish it to appear and click [Continue].
    6. Select your mailing address for your diploma and click [Continue].  If necessary, type in your mailing address and click [Continue].
    7. Verify that all information is correct and click [Submit Request].
    8. A confirmation message might appear once the application has been submitted—this is for your records only and should not be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
  7. If you have submitted your application by the posted deadline, your graduation progress should be evaluated in December/January or Summer and you should receive notification prior to the Spring or Fall semester.

Evaluation of Your Graduation Application

The Assistant Registrar should evaluate your application for graduation during the summer for Spring/Summer candidates who have applied by the May 1 preferred deadline and during December/January for Fall/Interterm candidates who have applied by the December 1 preferred deadline.

Prior to the start of the semester following your evaluation, you should receive an email from the Assistant Registrar informing you whether you appear to be on track to graduate during the term for which you applied or if it does not seem probable that you are able to complete your degree by the term for which you applied. When you receive this email, you should review all notes added to My TU Degree to learn which courses are still outstanding for future terms and what issues, if any, were found to possibly prevent your graduation as anticipated.

If you submitted your graduation application by the preferred deadline (May 1 or December 1) but did not receive an email notification by the first day of the Fall or Spring semester, please email the Assistant Registrar at vnsmall@taylor.edu to inquire about your status.

Commencement Ceremony

You may view the 5-year calendar to determine when your Commencement ceremony will be held. Approved candidates for Spring graduation are expected to participate in the Commencement ceremony held on the day of graduation. Students anticipating graduation in Summer (if fewer than 9 credits remain and are planned for Summer) are expected to participate in Commencement immediately preceding their graduation. Graduates from Fall and Interterm are expected to participate in the May Commencement ceremony following their official graduation.

Graduate Students

Candidates for a Master’s degree should complete and print the Application for Graduation and meet with an academic advisor to approve and submit the application. The preferred deadline for submission: two semesters prior to graduation date.