1. Apply to graduate
   An application for graduation form is required of all students.
   • The application for graduation form initiates the degree-check process. The form is also available in the UMKC Registration and Records Office and in most advising offices on campus.
   • The application for graduation should be completed and submitted to the student’s academic unit. It is recommended that the form be submitted one semester prior to graduation.
   • In order to graduate in any given semester, students must apply prior to the deadline for that semester, which is the end of the fourth week of classes in fall and spring semesters and at the end of the second week of classes in summer semesters.
2. Order regalia
   • There are graduation fairs in October and March, where you can order regalia for that semester's commencement ceremony, as well as graduation announcements, class rings and other graduation memorabilia. After the fair, visit the UMKC Bookstore to purchase graduation-related items.
3. Diplomas
   • Diplomas may be picked up in person beginning 40 days following the last final exam for the semester. They are located in the UMKC Registration and Records Office at 5115 Oak St., 115 Administrative Center. Students must present photo identification to pick up their diplomas. Diplomas not picked up in person will be mailed to students beginning 55 days following the last final exam using the address supplied on the application for graduation form. Professional students pick up their diploma in their academic unit.

Students who need to alter their graduation plans must submit a new application for graduation to their academic unit. The semester and other information listed on the new application for graduation will be used to replace the information previously submitted. All deadlines for the new semester of graduation apply to applicants who are altering their semester of graduation.

UMKC awards Latin honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude) to the top undergraduate and first professional students in each graduating class. Latin honors criteria for each academic unit will be calculated once per year using the official cumulative grade point averages of students who graduated during the preceding six semesters.

Undergraduates who rank in the top 5 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent of graduates in their academic unit, and who do not receive the higher level of honor, are eligible to be awarded their degree with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude honors, respectively.

Graduates in first professional degree programs (law, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.) may be awarded degrees with Latin honors as determined by policies established by the academic unit responsible for the degree.

Latin honors will not be awarded to students in graduate (masters and doctorate level) degree programs. Students whose degrees were awarded prior to June 1, 2004, may not have Latin honors conferred retroactively to their degree.

When you have applied for graduation, your name will be selected to be printed in the commencement ceremony program. However, if you have restricted the release of your directory information per FERPA regulations, your name will not be included in the commencement program. During the semester in which you intend to graduate, you will be sent an e-mail with instructions for requesting that your name be included in the commencement program.

Privacy: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

What will appear on your diploma?

• Your name
• Degree earned
• Major(s)
• Latin Honors
• Honors Program

What will not appear on your diploma?

• Minors
• Emphasis areas
• Departmental honors

Diplomas may be picked up in person beginning 40 days following the last final exam for the semester. They are located in the UMKC Registration and Records Office at 5115 Oak St., 115 Administrative Center. Students must present photo identification to pick up their diplomas. Diplomas not picked up in person will be mailed to students beginning 55 days following the last final exam using the address supplied on the application for graduation form. Diplomas will not be released for students with a hold on their account. All holds must be removed.

Diplomas for the professional degrees (law, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) will be dispersed from the academic unit and not the Registration and Records Office. Diplomas not picked up in person will be mailed to students beginning 55 days following the last final exam, using the address supplied on the application for graduation form.

For special delivery including overseas delivery, or if someone other than the student is going to pick up the diploma, contact the Registration and Records Office to make arrangements.

The student's last name, as it appears on the diploma, must correspond with the official name on the academic record at the time diplomas are printed.

Replacement diplomas are provided at $10 each and may take from four to six weeks to process. Replacement diplomas are printed with current University officials' signatures, and University of Missouri-Kansas City appears even in those cases when the student graduated prior to the change from the University of Kansas City. To request a replacement or duplicate diploma, complete this form and mail or fax it to the Registration and Records Office at 5115 Oak St., 115 Administrative Center.

Diplomas will not be released for students with a hold on their account. All holds must be removed. The name on record is what will be printed on the diploma. If your name has changed and you wish to have a new name reflected on your diploma, please provide a legible photocopy of your driver's license or Social Security card.

Undergraduate and graduate diplomas are 8 1/2 by 11 inches. The diplomas for the professional degrees (law, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) are 14 by 17 inches.