Application for Graduation
Graduate College Deadlines
As you complete your graduate studies at Iowa State University, there are specific deadlines and requirements associated with graduation.
- Visit the Graduate College Graduation Website for a list of requirements for the degree that you are seeking, and any deadlines.
Submit an Application for Graduation
- Log into your Workday account.
- Search for the Apply for Program Completion task in the Workday search bar and select the task.
- The field for Academic Record will pre-populate if you have only one academic record. If multiple academic records exist, such as having both undergraduate and graduate records, you will need to select the academic record you wish to apply for.
- In the field for Name, select the name you would like on your diploma and in the commencement program. If the name you want on your diploma is not listed, you can add a diploma name type, prior to applying. To add a diploma name type:
- Go to your Workday profile
- Select the 'Personal' tab on the left
- Select 'Name' tab from the top
- Click 'Add'
- Select 'Diploma' option under 'Name Type' and add your name fields
- Hit the orange 'OK' button
- Select the check box in the Apply column for all program of study(s) that are applicable.
- Confirm the accuracy of Program of Study, Education Credential, Expected Completion Date, and Program of Study Record Status.
- Select the Confirm checkbox.
- Select Submit.
- Select Done to return to your Workday homepage.
Troubleshooting Submission Error: If you receive a submission error after step 6 of the Apply for Program Completion section above, read the error that appears under the Academic Record section. This explains why you are unable to submit the program completion application. Connect with the Graduate College for assistance.
Complete the Additional Apply For Program Completion Items:
- Once your program completion application is submitted, a To-Do will appear in your inbox to complete the Diploma Delivery Selection Questionnaire.
- Select how you would like your diploma delivered:
- Mailed to your Home (Primary) address
- Pick up from the Office of the Registrar (214 Enrollment Services Center), once you receive notification from the Graduation Office that the diplomas are available for pick up.
- Hit the orange Submit button
- Select how you would like your diploma delivered:
- If you select the mailing option, a To-Do will appear in your inbox to review and/or modify your primary home mailing address (Your Home (Primary) mailing address is where your diploma will be mailed to).
- Click the orange Change My Home Contact Information button
- Review the address that is noted as Primary = Yes
- If the address, is accurate, please hit the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
- If the address needs to be modified, please click on the pencil icon on the Address card and make the updates. After doing so, please hit the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
- Once you have reviewed and/or modified your Home (Primary) address within the Home Contact Information section of your student profile, hit the Submit button on this To-Do within your inbox. You must submit the To-Do so other graduation processes can trigger within your inbox.
- Lastly, a To-Do will appear in your inbox to create a new address utilizing the Home Town for Commencement Program address type (This address will be shown as your home town in the commencement program given at your commencement and/or convocation ceremony).
- Click the orange Change My Home Contact Information button
- Click the 'Add' button at the bottom of the address column.
- The Effective Date of the address can be left alone
- Primary can be left unchecked
- Enter your country and address
- Within the 'Usage' box, please select Home Town for Commencement Program
- Once you have reviewed the Home Town for the Commencement Program address, hit the Submit button on this To-Do within your inbox. You must submit the inbox To-Do so other graduation processes can trigger within your inbox.
What Happens Next?
- After you apply for program completion, status on your academics overview page will indicate Pending Completion.
- You will be notified of your program completion status once it is updated by the Graduate College.
- Check your academic requirements in your Academic Progress tab in Workday for accuracy. Please resolve any outstanding degree requirements with your graduate program or the Graduate College. You can review any F/NP/NR/Incomplete grades via your Academic History tab. These grades will prevent graduation.
Fee Notice
Thesis students will be charged a one-time, nonrefundable $145 thesis fee by the graduate College. This fee will be billed to each thesis student's university account to cover thesis review and processing, thesis technical assistance, and printing and binding fees for the ISU Library copy.
Questions? Contact the Graduate College, 1137 Pearson Hall or call 515-294-4531.