Graduation

Congratulations on your accomplishments and success here at Towson University! Please review the information on these pages to ensure that the final steps in your journey here at Towson are both pleasurable and memorable. Make sure to acquaint yourself with the requirements and deadlines. We understand how meaningful this last step is for you and look forward to welcoming you as alumni.

Eligibility for Graduation

Only students who are admitted and active in a graduate-level academic program are eligible to apply for graduation. If you are a non-degree-seeking student, please contact the graduate school at (410) 704-2501 for assistance.

In order to graduate, students must complete all program requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all graduate work.  No more than two C grades may count toward program requirements.  Students must also complete any additional requirements (such as theses, examinations, internships, projects, dissertations, etc.) by the last day of exams in the semester of graduation.  Grades of “Incomplete” or “In Progress” must be resolved before the end of the semester.  For Master’s degrees and Certificates, all requirements (including transfer credits) must be completed within a 7-year time window.  For Doctoral and terminal degrees, the time limit is 10 years.

If you have questions about your program requirements, contact your program director, or check the graduate catalog.

The Graduate School Graduation Process

1.  Apply for Graduation

You MUST apply for graduation review, even if you do not intend to participate in the commencement ceremony.  You can apply for graduation up to 5 months in advance through your Online Services account.  For more information about applying for graduation, visit this page.

Application Deadlines
(based on the semester in which you will complete your requirements)

2.  Commencement

Please visit the commencement website for more information.  Be sure to check your Towson email account regularly following your application for graduation for updates about the commencement procedures and schedule.  Also, please ensure that the mailing address we have on file for you is correct by visiting your Online Services account.

3.  Graduation Review. 

Your transcripts and program requirements will be reviewed by both your program director and the graduate school after all grades have been posted at the end of your final semester.  It is important to meet with your program advisor some time during your last semester to ensure that all of your requirements will be complete on time.

Please Note:  If your requirements are not complete and you are ineligible to graduate, you MUST REAPPLY for graduation in the semester that you will complete your requirements.

4.  Degree Posting

After your application has been approved by your program director and the graduate school, your degree will be posted to your official transcript.  This will happen about 4-6 weeks after graduation.  Because of the winter break, degrees for fall graduation may take up to 8 weeks.

5. Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed out (or available for pick-up from the Graduate School) 8-10 weeks following the end of the semester.  You will receive an email when your diploma is ready.  Please ensure that both the name and the address we have on file for you are correct before the end of your final semester.  You can double check these things in your Online Services account.

A Note About Names:  Only the current name listed in your record will be printed on your diploma.  If you need to change your name (for reasons of marriage, divorce, etc.), you must provide legal documentation, such as a driver’s license, marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.  Contact the graduate school at (410) 704-2501 or at grads@towson.edu for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions, please contact:

Bethany Taylor
Graduation Associate 
Office of the Registrar
Enrollment Services Center 219

Phone: 410-704-3092
Fax: 410-704-4599
Email:  bctaylor@towson.edu