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Graduation

The University confers degrees in February, May, August and December and holds Commencement ceremonies in May. Students who apply for graduation in a timely manner are notified via email regarding dates, times and details of the public Commencement exercises. With permission from the Registrar, students who are within 2.0 credits (8.0 hours) of completing their degree requirements may participate in the Commencement ceremony with proof of summer enrollment for those 2.0 credits at Elmhurst University.

All students will receive their degree once all requirements are successfully completed and they have no financial obligations.

Application for Graduation

Degree-seeking students must apply for graduation. It is suggested to apply at least one year prior to the anticipated graduation date, to ensure two full terms to make any necessary adjustments to schedules. Students apply for graduation through Self-Service on the portal.

Students who have applied for graduation will not have their degrees posted until all graduation requirements have been met. All degrees will be posted as of the first graduation date (February, May, August or December) after all requirements have been met.

Graduation Honors

The calculation of graduation honors for all undergraduate students is based on the combined grade-point average of all Elmhurst University and transfer credit.

The standards for degrees of distinction are:

  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.900–4.000

  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.700–3.899

  • Cum Laude: 3.500–3.699

In computing this grade-point average, all work graded with an A, B, C, D and F (including plus and minus grades) is counted, with the exception of courses successfully repeated.

Since every student must meet the residency requirement of eight credits, honors designation shall be based on the completion of a minimum of eight course credits (32 semester hours) at Elmhurst University.

Graduate and second-degree students are not eligible for graduation honors.

Students are only eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony in the Academic Year in which they have completed all requirements. The Academic Year is from Fall Term through the following Summer Term.