Office of the Registrar

Graduation Information

Application for Degree Candidacy

 NEW - Apply online via your myNKU account.

For step by step intructions see: Quick Reference: How to apply for Graduation

Forms are currently still available for undergraduate and graduate degree candidacy at:

Undergraduate Graduation Checklist

(Link to Downloadable Graduation Checklist)

Total Hours Earned Requirement:

  • Associate Degree: Minimum 60 semester hours.  GPA must be 2.0 or higher or as required by degree program.
  • Bachelor's Degree: Minimum 120 semester hours.  GPA must be 2.0 or higher or as required by degree program.

Residency Requirements:

  • Associate Degree: Last 20 credit hours completed at NKU
  • Bachelor's Degree: Last 30 credit hours completed at NKU
  • Bachelor's Degree: Minimum 25% of coursework completed at NKU

    Upper Division Requirement:

    • Bachelor's Degree: 45 credit hours at 300 level or above

    General Education Requirements*
    *As outlined in your governing catalog

    Major Area of Study Requirements*
    *As outlined in your governing catalog

    Secondary Area of Study Requirements - Minor and/or Area of Concentration*
    *As outlined in your governing catalog

    Application Checklist

    • Complete Senior Questionnaire: Link to Senior Questionnaire
    • Undergraduate Application for Degree Candidacy - complete online through your myNKU account.
    • Program Certification forms for each major, minor and/or area of concentration
      (submit to the Office of the Registrar, AC 301)
    • Application fee paid to Office of the Bursar, AC 235

    Application Deadlines:

    • Summer and Fall graduation: Preceding April 22
    • Spring graduation: Preceding October 22
    • Note:  If the deadline date falls on a weekend, the deadline is moved to the following Monday.  Also please note that these are the deadlines for submission of applicaitons and program certifications to the office of the Registar.  Academic departments may have earlier deadlines for filing Program Certifications for majors/minors.  Please check with your major/minor's department for their deadlines.

    Link to Graduation Requirement Details

    Additional Information

    Graduate Students: Visit the Office of Graduate Programs website for graduation information.

    All credentials required to confer a degree must be submitted prior to the grade submission deadline for the anticipated graduation term. Failure to comply with these requirements will move the graduation date to the next graduation term.

    For example, final grades for all courses (grades of 'I' and 'K' must be cleared), substitution/waiver forms, transfer transcripts, consortium transcripts, residency waivers, non-traditional college credit (AP credit, CLEP, Portfolio, Advanced Standing, etc.), and piano proficiency exam results. (Note: This list is not exhaustive.)

    All courses listed on the Program Certification for Major/Minor/Area of Concentration must be successfully completed.

    Any exceptions must be in writing from the appropriate chairperson or coordinator.

    A $50.00 Graduation Fee is charged at the time a student submits an Application for Undergraduate Degree Candidacy.

    Graduation with HONORS:  A student must earn a  minimum of 60 semester hours in residence (at NKU) for a Bachelor's degree, and 30 semester hours in residence (at NKU) for an Associate degree.  (See the current undergraduate catalog for more information.)

    A student working to receive two bachelor degrees on the same date must:

    a) complete requirements for both degrees
    b) earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence beyond requirements for the first degree
    c) earn a minimum of 60 semester hours in residence at NKU.

    A student working to earn a second bachelor's degree after receiving the first must:

    a) complete requirements for the second degree,
    b) earn at least 12 semester hours in the major field offering the second degree,
    c) earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence beyond requirements for the first degree,
    d) earn a minimum of 60 semester hours in residence at NKU beyond the requirements for the first degree to be considered for graduation with honors.

    Commencement exercises at Northern Kentucky University are held in both May and December. The December ceremony is for students completing degree requirements in the fall and preceding summer semester. The May ceremony is for students completing degree requirements in the spring semester. Information regarding the ceremony, ordering announcements, caps and gowns will be sent to all degree candidates.  You may also visit the Commentcement webiste at http://commencement.nku.edu

    Diplomas are mailed approximately six weeks following commencement each semester/term (summer, fall, spring).

    Students must satisfy all financial and administrative obligations to the university for diplomas to be mailed.

    Please notify the Office of the Registrar if your graduation date changes. A new application must be completed, as applications are not carried forward to the next semester.

    Feel free to contact this office with any questions.

    Undergraduate graduation questions? Contact:
    Lee Amundsen - amundsen@nku.edu Lucas Administrative Center 308 - (859) 572-6625
    Tammy Camm - camm@nku.edu Lucas Administrative Center 308 - (859) 572-6427

    Graduate graduation questions? Contact:
    Natalie Long - longn2@nku.edu Lucas Administrative Center 308 - (859) 572-6169