Understanding Your University of Cincinnati Diploma

Graduating from the University of Cincinnati is a significant achievement, and understanding the diploma process is essential for all graduating students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about your UC diploma, from application to verification.

Graduation Application: The First Step

All graduating students MUST apply for graduation to receive their diploma and become official University of Cincinnati graduates. Students should meet with their advisor before completing the application to ensure eligibility for graduation. Applications are handled by the Office of the Registrar. This process is initiated through the Online Graduation Application.

Steps to Apply for Graduation:

Meet with your academic advisor to confirm your eligibility for graduation.
Follow the instructions for the Graduation Application.
Scroll down the page until "Application for Graduation" appears in the left-side navigation menu.
Complete the application.

The Online Graduation Application accepts applications from both undergraduate and graduate students applying for graduation from associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Graduate Students must first complete The Graduate College Exit Survey prior to submitting a graduation application.

The Online Graduation Application fee is $50.00. This is charged per term, not per degree. The graduation application fee was established to enhance services to the University of Cincinnati graduating students. After having completed an online application for graduation, you will only be able to access and update information for a limited time. Please check the Apply to Graduate page to verify the various deadlines. Students are able to update their Diploma Name via the Graduation Application.

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement is a ticketed ceremony for both graduates and guests. A free pass will be required to park on the day of the ceremony. Fifth Third Arena and Nippert Stadium have a clear bag rule in place for all events. Please ensure you review the Approved Item Policy before attending your ceremony.

Graduates may not carry any objects on stage. This is to ensure the proper pace and safety of the graduates as they cross the graduation stage. Graduates will be photographed at the ceremony by professional photographers.

Whether or not your name will be printed in the commencement book depends on whether you have asked us to withhold your directory information with a FERPA block. If that is the case, UC cannot print your name in the UC Commencement Program. When you complete the graduation application, you choose the name you want printed on your diploma. This is the same name that will appear in the commencement book.

Types of Diplomas and Certificates

As of Fall 2022 graduates, the University of Cincinnati automatically provides both a CeCredential and a Ceremonial Diploma (or Certificate) to graduates.

CeCredential (Digital Diploma): Your CeCredential is an official, secure, and verifiable PDF version of your accomplishment. This is an official document that you may share an unlimited amount of times with family, friends, employers, and social media. It provides proof of your education (degree or certificate) with only the important details, so it is simple for employers to read, understand, and verify. Whether your job search is local or global, digital diplomas are easy to use by employers and licensing agencies seeking to verify credentials. It's also easy to provide to other institutions if you will be pursuing further education. The digital CeDiploma is an official UC document certifying your awarded degree.
Ceremonial Diploma (Paper Diploma): A ceremonial diploma is a paper version of your diploma that you may wish to frame and hang on your wall. Ceremonial diplomas are not used to officially verify your accomplishment and are intended to be used as framed memorabilia. Yes, you will receive a Ceremonial (paper) Diploma for each degree earned. Note that double majors will not receive two diplomas.
Ceremonial Certificate (Paper Certificate): A ceremonial certificate is a paper version of your certificate that you may wish to frame and hang on your wall (note: this is not for degree programs e.g., bachelor's, master's, doctoral).

Graduates who earn a minor credential do not receive a hard copy of this credential as it cannot be earned separate from your degree. A degree is the credential you earn after completing the requirements for your academic program (e.g., an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree).

Diploma and Certificate Delivery Timeline

It takes six-eight weeks after commencement for your CeCredential to be available for download and Ceremonial Diploma to be shipped. It takes four-five weeks after your degree is certified for your CeCredential to be available for download and Ceremonial Diploma to be shipped. Certifications may take through May 18, 2026, to be processed.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Note: Ceremonial certificates are produced after the semester of graduation has passed and degrees/certificates have been certified.

Accessing and Using Your CeCredential

To request a new download link, please use the CeCredential Trust site to resend the link.

The CeDiploma includes the CeDiD on the actual PDF that you download. You need to download your CeDiploma, then the CeDiD will be located on the top left-hand corner of the CeDiploma. Please be aware the CeDiD must be entered accurately for employers and others to validate on our CeCredential Validation page.

If you are having trouble opening your CeDiploma, CeDiploma® is trying to open in an application called "Preview" which comes standard on Apple devices. You will want to make sure you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro since Adobe is the primary viewer for PDFs. If you already have Adobe, you can go into your settings and make this change. If not, it is a free download if you search in Google.

Note: A CeDiploma may not be available for all conferral dates. CeDiplomas are available to graduates beginning Fall Semester (December) 2017. Visit the CeCredential page.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Diploma Name

When you complete the graduation application, you choose the name you want printed on your diploma. This is the same name that will appear in the commencement book. Students are able to update their Diploma Name via the Graduation Application.

Majors are not printed on the diploma unless it is part of the degree name as approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and required by the appropriate accreditation body. You can determine the name of your degree by visiting Catalyst, clicking the My Academics tile, opening the Graduation/Commencement drop-down menu, and selecting View Graduation Status. The information provided in the Degree field is what will be printed on your credential.

Degree Verification

If you need to prove to a current or prospective employer that you have graduated, provide a UC degree verification document. Enrollment and degree verifications are now available for students to print from Catalyst.

Once your college has certified your degree award to the Registrar's Office, and once that office has processed that college certification, you will be able to order official transcripts and/or generate degree certification documents recording your degree award. College degree certifications usually are received and fully-processed within four weeks following the end of the term. The last weeks of the approximately six-week process are dedicated to diploma preparation and printing. A fee of $8.50 per transcript will be collected by credit card for this service.

You can verify your degree in various ways. The day after degrees are certified, you can check your degree status via Catalyst, download an unofficial transcript, or download a degree verification letter.

An official transcript or an official degree verification letter will provide verification of your degree. Typically, educational institutions will requre an official transcript. An unofficial transcript should not be used to verify your degree, but it can be used by you to make sure your degree has been posted. Students should not order an official transcript until after degree status is confirmed.

Once you see that your degree has been confirmed, your degree will be shown on an official transcript. You can order and download your official transcript via Catalyst. Be sure to read all information found on the Transcript Ordering page before ordering.

Additionally, we report degrees to the National Student Clearinghouse. Roughly two weeks after degrees are certified, third parties may request verification of your degree from them.

Key Takeaways After Graduation

You submitted your graduation application, you finished your final exams, and you walked across the stage at Commencement. What happens next? Your instructors need to submit all of your final grades. Your college checks that all of your degree requirements have been met.

First, know that certifications may take through May 18, 2026, to be processed. The day after degrees are certified, you can check your degree status via Catalyst, download an unofficial transcript, or download a degree verification letter. You should not order an official transcript until after your degree status shows as confirmed. CeDiplomas will be available for download four-five weeks after your degree is certified.

Diploma Frames

The University of Cincinnati Bookstore has frames and holders available for purchase.

tags: #university #of #cincinnati #diploma #information