A student’s graduation date is also called the degree conferral date or the validation date. Degrees are conferred/validated on the last day of the academic term for semester-based students and 4 times a year for quarter-based students, each following the completion of the first 12-week term. The graduation date, or degree conferral date, is not the same as the commencement date.

When a student completes his or her program of study, the Office of the Registrar performs a degree audit, confirming that all program, university, and administrative degree requirements have been satisfied. When all requirements are confirmed as being completed, the Office of the Registrar validates the degree. Approximately twelve weeks following conferral, the Registrar’s Office sends the student a diploma, unofficial transcript, and a letter of congratulations from the University President. Note: If a student has outstanding financial obligations to the University, his or her transcripts and diploma will not be released, either to the student or to a third party.

Students who were conferred between December 1st and May 31st are eligible to attend the summer commencement ceremony. Students who were conferred between June 1st and November 30th are eligible to attend the winter commencement ceremony.

Degree conferral dates for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic year are:

For semester-based students: 2007-2008

For semester-based students: 2008-2009

Note: semester-based student’s conferral date is the last day of the last course.

For quarter-based students: 2007-2008

For quarter-based students: 2008-2009

Diploma Format

Walden University diplomas are 11 x 14 inches.

Click here for information on ordering a diploma frame

The degree title will appear in the center of the diploma, below your name. Walden University only lists the degree earned on the diploma, not the specialization. The diploma is issued to verify the awarding of the degree itself, and therefore only includes the title of the degree. Documentation of the specialization is found on the transcript, which is the official record of the program of study.

Degree titles appear on the diploma as follows:

• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Public Administration
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy
  

Notes:
*Students in dual degree programs will receive two separate diplomas listing each earned degree.

*Bachelor students who have earned Latin honors will have the honor appear on the diploma

Diploma name policy

Unless otherwise specified, the name on your diploma will appear as it does in the Office of the Registrar’s official records. This is the name you provided when you first began your program at Walden University.

The last name on your diploma must be your legal name and the name that is recorded in your student record. If your name has changed since your admission to Walden University, you need to officially change your name by mailing an official copy of a legal document (this can include a drivers license, marriage certificate, social security card, etc) along with the “Request for Duplicate Diploma/ Diploma Name Change” form to the Registrar’s Office.

Please note- if you have already received your diploma and you are requesting a name change, you will be charged $25.00 for a duplicate copy.

Address Verifications and Changes
Approximately twelve weeks following your degree conferral, your diploma is mailed to the permanent address listed in the Office of the Registrar’s records.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the address is current and correct. If you have moved, please send your updated address information to infochanges@waldenu.edu