1. Submit an Application to Graduate
All students wanting to graduate must submit an application to graduate at least one semester before they expect to complete their program. Failure to submit a graduation application by the deadline will result in a one semester delay in your degree or diploma being awarded. Applications should only be submitted for the term in which the graduate will be completing their academic degree.
GRADUATION TERM
| DEADLINE TO APPLY* | PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT |
May | December 15 | Spring Ceremony (May) – Current Year |
July (Attending Commencement) | December 15 | Spring Ceremony (May) – Current Year |
July (Not Attending Commencement) | March 15 | N/A |
December | July 15 | Fall Ceremony (December) – Current Year |
** In order to accommodate all graduates and guests at the Graduation ceremonies, a graduate is only allowed to attend the ceremony that corresponds with the term that they submitted their application even if they do not complete the requirements for completion of their degree at that time.
**Please note that students in a Certificate Only program are not permitted to attend the commencement ceremony.
A graduation fee is due at the time of the application. Both the Application and the Graduation Fee are valid for one academic year. If graduation requirements are not met within one academic year, the student must submit another Application for Graduation and another Graduation Fee. A handwritten signature is needed on the form.
Application to Graduate Form:
- Degree Seeking - Undergraduate/Graduate
- Certificate ONLY Seeking - Under/Graduate (Please note that students in a Certificate only program are not permitted to attend the commencement ceremony)
Applications will be routed to the Graduation Team once the form is completed and submitted.
ATTENTION:
A generated email from Graduation@ltu.edu will automatically be sent out to all students who have met a set amount of credits based on their Undergraduate or Graduate level. This automatic email will notify students that it is time to apply for graduation. This email is a courtesy to all students and is not always a guarantee. It is the responsibility of any student to apply for graduation as soon as they have identified their completion date with an advisor or department head. Graduation Applications should be submitted at least 1 semester prior to the semester in which a student plans to finish their degree. Graduation Applications stay active for 1 full academic year if the student does not finish their degree requirements in the originally selected semester.
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If a Graduation Application is not submitted within the alotted time, the application will still be processed but the student cannot be guaranteed a spot in the Commencement Ceremony.
NOTE: An email confirming receipt of the application will be sent once the application has been fully completed by the Grad Team. They will be in touch with any questions or concerns that may arise so please monitor your LTU email closely after completing your application.
2. International Family Invitation Letter Request
Complete the International Family Invitation Letter Request if you are an international student inviting family to your Commencement ceremony and a letter is required by your government to permit your family members to travel. You must already have a graduation application submitted in order to request an Invitation Letter Request. Commencement tickets are still required for families to attend the ceremony. This letter is not a ticket for the ceremony. Email the letter back to enrollmentservices@ltu.edu or drop it off at the One Stop Center. The Enrollment Services staff will be in touch with you once the letter(s) have been completed.
3. Unable to Attend Grad Fair Ticket Request
If you are a participating student who is unable to attend the Grad Fair and collect your tickets, please fill out this form. Email this form to graduation@ltu.edu or drop it off at the One Stop Center to be processed before the deadline. We can then mail the tickets to you. However, please note that lost or stolen tickets cannot be replaced. Another option is to designate someone to pick up the tickets on your behalf during the Grad Fair.
- Commencement Ticket Request Form (for students who are unable to attend the Grad Fair)
4. Purchase Your Cap and Gown
The Graduation Team will send participating students information on the Grad Fair and how to order a cap and gown. Please monitor your LTU email closely and be sure to search for any correspondence from graduation@ltu.edu so you don’t miss any important information regarding your graduation ceremony or degree information!
If you have already ordered your cap and gown and have questions about your order, you can contact the LTU Bookstore at 248-204-3030. The bookstore is in charge of all Cap and Gown orders for commencement.
5. Monitor Your LTU Email
Continue to monitor your LTU email for updates from the graduation team regarding the Grad Fair, where you will pick up your tickets as well as pick up and pay for your cap and gown that was previously ordered. You will also receive updates on the graduation ceremony as well as ongoing information regarding your degree throughout the degree auditing process following the end of the semester. If you have any questions you can always reach out to the grad team at graduation@ltu.edu.
Graduates keep their LTU email account, but will have Google Drive for only one year after your last semester. Which means you will have one year to migrate any files in your LTU Google Drive to another storage option. Email accounts for students who receive a certificate only will be inactivated one year after the last semester of attendance. If you have any questions please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@ltu.edu or by phone at 248.204.2330.
6. Refer to This Website
https://www.ltu.edu/commencement - for information regarding the Commencement Ceremony.
7. Pick Up Your Diploma
Contrary to popular belief, diplomas are not awarded during the graduation ceremony. Diplomas are only awarded once a student have completed their degree. A degree audit is completed by the department of the degree being sought. If the student has completed all requirements to receive the degree, they will list the student as "graduated". An additional audit is then completed by the graduation team and the degree is posted to their transcript.
Once the degree is complete and posted, diplomas are printed. Bachelor diplomas are printed on 8.5" x 11" paper, and Masters/Doctoral diplomas are printed on 11" x 14" paper. Undergraduate and Masters diplomas are then available for pick up at the One Stop Center approximately two months after the traditional semester ends. Diplomas which are not retrieved during the pick up dates will be mailed to your permanent home address as listed in BannerWeb (not your mailing address). If your address will be different after graduation, please be sure to update your information on BannerWeb before the end of your final semester.
Please Note: Diplomas and Transcripts will not be released if you have any past due financial obligations (housing charges, library fees, parking, tuition, etc.)
For Spring 2024 graduates, degrees will be posted to transcripts by May 23rd, 2024. Diplomas will be available for pick up at the One Stop Center from July 8th through July 10th, 2024. Diplomas which are not picked up will be mailed to the permanent address in BannerWeb on July 11th, 2024.
8. Celebrate!
Celebrate the completion of your Lawrence Technological University degree (and the previous 7 steps) with your friends and family at your on campus graduation ceremony in either May or December! (Mini wave in celebration of you!)
Add to you and your loved ones' celebration by joining the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as they host the Circle Celebration. This event highlights academic and community achievement, honors individuals, family and extended communities and commemorates cultural, social and traditional influences of celebration. For more information visit: https://www.ltu.edu/dei/circle-celebration