Degree Clearance

All students must meet the following criteria to be granted a Bachelor's degree from the College of Design at the University of Minnesota:

• all major coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or higher
• overall GPA of 2.00 or higher
• complete all degree requirements listed on your APAS
• complete a minimum of 120 total credits

You must apply online for your degree by the deadline below in order to have your degree granted (see instructions below).

• Spring 2008 -- February 5, 2008
• May Session 2008 -- March 27, 2008
• Summer 2008 -- June 10, 2008*
• Fall 2008 -- September 16, 2008

* Apply by April 1, 2008 to be invited to the annual commencement ceremony in May 2008.

Degree Application Instructions

The best time to apply for your degree is right after you have registered for your final term's classes. Then review your APAS. Are all requirements complete or in progress? If not, work with your academic adviser to discuss a plan for completing the requirements or making substitutions if appropriate.

Don't apply for your degree for a term in which you will not actually complete your requirements. (For example, if you know you will need to take a class in the fall 2008 term, don't apply for your degree for the summer 2008 term.)

1. Apply online
2. After final grades are posted for the term you've applied to graduate, CDes Student Services reviews your transcript and APAS, or program form to see if you have finished all your program requirements.
3. If you have completed your work, CDes Student Services contacts the Office of the Registrar where the clearance is certified. Your degree cannot be granted until all requirements have been completed and all grades, credits, transfer coursework, etc. have been officially posted to your University transcript. If you have not finished your program requirements, CDes Student Services will send you a Notice of Missing Requirements, outlining exactly what you still have left to complete for graduation. You will then need to reapply for the term in which you will actually complete your coursework.
   • PLEASE NOTE: If you have not completed all graduation requirements by the end of the term in which you applied to graduate, it is your responsibility to notify CDes Student Services when these requirements are complete.
4. When your graduation clearance is certified, the degree is posted on your transcript by the Office of the Registrar, making it official that you have earned your degree.
5. Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma mailing address that you listed when you applied for your degree within 3-4 months.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you have any outstanding charges from the University (e.g., library materials, past due tuition), you will not be able to obtain a transcript showing your degree and your diploma will not be mailed. If your debt exceeds $200, your degree will not be granted until it is paid.

Commencement Ceremony

Students who apply to graduate fall 2007, spring 2008, May Term 2008 or summer 2008 will be invited to attend the annual commencement ceremony in May 2008 if the application for degree has been submitted by April 1, 2008.

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee that you have received your degree.