• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Graduate School
  • About
    • Academic Calendars
    • Research Profiles
    • Annual Reports
    • Staff Directory
    • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
    • News
  • Admissions
    • Apply Now
    • Visit Campus
    • Why Baylor?
    • How To Apply
      • Submitting Test Scores
      • April 15th Deadline for Fall Offers
      • Writing a Personal Statement
    • International Applicants
      • International: English Proficiency
      • International: Required Documents
    • Admission FAQs
    • Admitted Student Checklist
      • What does "official" mean?
      • Moving To Waco
      • New Graduate Student Orientation
      • Things to Know When Registering for Classes
      • Immunization Requirements
      • Admitted International Students
      • Admitted Student FAQs
  • Areas of Study
    • Interdisciplinary Research Areas
      • Health Research in the Social Sciences
      • Religion
      • Biomedical Research
      • Materials Science & Engineering
    • Degrees and Programs
    • Graduate Catalog
    • Baylor Colleges and Schools
      • Army-Baylor
      • Baylor Law School
      • College of Arts & Sciences
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
      • George W. Truett Seminary
      • Hankamer School of Business
      • Honors College
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
      • School of Education
      • School of Engineering & Computer Science
      • School of Music
  • Benefits & Financial Support
    • Health Insurance Benefits
    • Childbirth & Adoption
    • Short-Term Leave
    • Baylor Funding Opportunities
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
    • Graduate Program Directors & Coordinators
      • Responsibilities & Resources
      • How to Run a Degree Audit
      • Catalog & Curricular Revisions
      • GPD Listing
    • Recruitment & Admissions
      • Recruitment Resources
      • Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • Acceptance Letter Requirements
      • Recruiting Funds
    • Mentoring
      • Mentoring in Business
      • Mentoring in Education
      • Mentoring in Engineering & Computer Science
      • Mentoring in Social Sciences
      • Mentoring in the Humanities
      • Mentoring in the Sciences
    • Your Graduate Students
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Graduate Student Payroll
      • Graduate Student TORs
    • For Graduate Faculty
      • Search for Baylor Graduate Faculty
      • Graduate Council
      • Graduate Curriculum Committee
      • GPS Faculty Development Workshops
      • Graduate Faculty Rights & Membership
      • Co-Authorship Resources
    • Slate Links
  • Student Resources
    • Professional Development
      • Research & Scholarship
      • Teaching & Pedagogy
      • Career Exploration
    • Funding & Award Opportunities
      • Fellowships & Awards
      • Graduate Student Job Openings
      • Travel Awards & External Funding
    • Campus Life
      • Graduate Student Association (GSA)
      • Things to Do at Baylor
      • Calendar & Deadlines
    • Health & Wellness
      • Health Services & Telehealth
      • Counseling Center
      • Campus Recreation
    • Faith & Scholarship
      • Baptist Scholarship
      • Conyers Scholars
      • Ramm Scholars
    • Living in Waco
      • Waco Cultural Guide
      • Living in Waco
      • Housing, Transportation, & Nutrition
    • TWO Newsletter
    • Completing Your Degree
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Dissertation & Thesis Overview
      • Requirements for Graduation
      • Completing Your Degree FAQs
  • Apply Now
  • Canvas
Baylor BU Graduate School Student Resources Completing Your Degree Requirements for Graduation
  • Professional Development
  • Funding & Award Opportunities
  • Campus Life
  • Health & Wellness
  • Faith & Scholarship
  • Living in Waco
  • TWO Newsletter
  • Completing Your Degree
    • Graduate School Forms
    • Dissertation & Thesis Overview
    • Requirements for Graduation
      • Regalia
      • Letter of Completion
    • Completing Your Degree FAQs

Requirements for Graduation

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! This page offers a comprehensive list of information and requirements for the semester preceding your graduation. If you have any questions, or cannot locate the information you are looking for, please contact our Baylor University Commencement website. 

You can also download our "How to Graduate" guide. 

Run a Degree Audit

Running a degree audit will allow you to ensure that you have fulfilled all of your degree requirements.  If you see any discrepancies, contact your Graduate Program Director.  Click here for instructions.

  • All incompletes for coursework other than dissertation/thesis hours must be cleared before the oral examination can be taken.

Verify the Semester Deadlines

There are many deadlines during your final semester that you must be aware of and meet. These include, but are not limited to: filing for graduation, Dissertation and Theses defense, oral exams, and satisfaction of the foreign language requirement. Make sure that you mark these dates on your calendar. View the calendar

File for Graduation - (Masters and Doctoral Students only)

The window for filing for graduation for each term is:

  • Spring Graduation:  October 1 - February 1
  • Summer Graduation:  February 1 - June 1
  • Fall Graduation:  February 1 - October 1

Students who have met all of the requirements of their degree and wish to declare their intent to graduate must apply to graduate in BearWeb. Please see the attached instructions.

  • If you are a joint student, you must apply to graduate from each program separately.
  • If a PhD student wishes to graduate with a non-terminal master’s degree, the student should have their department file a Master's On The Way Form so that we can open a master file. Once a file is created, we will let the student know and they can then apply for graduation for their non-terminal master's degree.
  • If you have any other questions, please contact graduate_records@baylor.edu.

If you use student loans or other forms of financial aid to pay your bill you should file for graduation as early as possible so the Student Financial Aid (SFA) office can ensure your award offer for the upcoming year is accurate.
 
In some cases the Student Financial Aid (SFA) office may be required to make revisions to your financial aid awards. Award revisions are most often required for students graduating in December since most award offers are for the full academic year (fall/spring). If you have been offered financial aid for an enrollment term beyond your graduation term, please contact the SFA office to inform them and they will determine if revisions to your awards are necessary. 

Purchase or Rent your Regalia

Degree candidates for master's degrees wear traditional academic dress which can be purchased online at the Baylor Bookstore.

Regalia for the Educational Specialist (EdS) degree is purchased through the Baylor Bookstore and should be in stock by the middle of the semester. Please contact the bookstore directly at (254) 710-2161 for any questions.

Regalia for doctoral degrees is purchased or rented through Herff Jones online. Please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery.

Be Sure All Forms Are Properly Submitted by Their Deadlines

Doctoral Students and Masters (Thesis) Students:

Thoroughly review the Dissertation and Thesis Process Overview for detailed instructions about the defense and submission process.

You can find this semester's deadlines and all relevant forms within our Dissertation and Thesis main page and subpages. Be aware that deadlines for this process begin at least two weeks prior to your individual defense date, and defense deadlines vary each semester.

For Non-Thesis Programs:

  • Complete your Comprehensive Exams
  • After your Comprehensive Exams:
    • Confirm faculty submission of Results of Comprehensive Exam Form (Available only to faculty via OnBase). The Results of Comprehensive Exam Form must be submitted no later than 5:00pm on the last business day prior to the first day of Final Exams)

Check on Commencement

Walking - It is assumed that you will walk in the commencement ceremony. If you are unable to attend then you must complete a non-participation form.

Diploma - Diplomas will be sent after the degrees are conferred. Graduates will receive their diplomas several weeks after the degrees have been awarded.

Transcript - An official transcript will be available after five business days from Academic Records.

More information on Commencement

Baylor Graduate School

Baylor Graduate School
Morrison Hall, Suite 200
One Bear Place #97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264

GraduateAdmissions@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3588
Fax: (254) 710-3870
Apply
Visit
Make a Gift
Live Chat
Baylor BU Graduate School Student Resources Completing Your Degree Requirements for Graduation
  • About
    Back
    • Academic Calendars
    • Research Profiles
    • Annual Reports
    • Staff Directory
    • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
    • News
  • Admissions
    Back
    • Apply Now
    • Visit Campus
    • Why Baylor?
    • How To Apply
      Back
      • Submitting Test Scores
      • April 15th Deadline for Fall Offers
      • Writing a Personal Statement
    • International Applicants
      Back
      • International: English Proficiency
      • International: Required Documents
        Back
        • Required Documents by Country
    • Admission FAQs
    • Admitted Student Checklist
      Back
      • What does "official" mean?
      • Moving To Waco
      • New Graduate Student Orientation
      • Things to Know When Registering for Classes
      • Immunization Requirements
      • Admitted International Students
      • Admitted Student FAQs
  • Areas of Study
    Back
    • Interdisciplinary Research Areas
      Back
      • Health Research in the Social Sciences
        Back
        • Biological Mechanisms
        • Psychosocial Mechanisms
        • Policy
        • Clinical
      • Religion
      • Biomedical Research
      • Materials Science & Engineering
        Back
        • Materials Research at Baylor
        • Affiliated Faculty
        • PhD Program Requirements
        • MS Program Requirements
    • Degrees and Programs
    • Graduate Catalog
    • Baylor Colleges and Schools
      Back
      • Army-Baylor
      • Baylor Law School
      • College of Arts & Sciences
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
      • George W. Truett Seminary
      • Hankamer School of Business
      • Honors College
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
      • School of Education
      • School of Engineering & Computer Science
      • School of Music
  • Benefits & Financial Support
    Back
    • Health Insurance Benefits
    • Childbirth & Adoption
    • Short-Term Leave
    • Baylor Funding Opportunities
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
    Back
    • Graduate Program Directors & Coordinators
      Back
      • Responsibilities & Resources
      • How to Run a Degree Audit
      • Catalog & Curricular Revisions
        Back
        • Accelerated UG/GR Degrees
          Back
          • Guidelines for Programs
          • Creating/Proposing Accelerated Options
          • University Policies & Processes for Accelerated UG/GR Programs
      • GPD Listing
    • Recruitment & Admissions
      Back
      • Recruitment Resources
      • Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • Acceptance Letter Requirements
      • Recruiting Funds
    • Mentoring
      Back
      • Mentoring in Business
      • Mentoring in Education
      • Mentoring in Engineering & Computer Science
      • Mentoring in Social Sciences
      • Mentoring in the Humanities
      • Mentoring in the Sciences
    • Your Graduate Students
      Back
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Graduate Student Payroll
        Back
        • Graduate Student Monthly Payroll Forms
        • Policies & Frequently Asked Questions
      • Graduate Student TORs
    • For Graduate Faculty
      Back
      • Search for Baylor Graduate Faculty
      • Graduate Council
        Back
        • Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
      • Graduate Curriculum Committee
      • GPS Faculty Development Workshops
      • Graduate Faculty Rights & Membership
      • Co-Authorship Resources
    • Slate Links
  • Student Resources
    Back
    • Professional Development
      Back
      • Research & Scholarship
        Back
        • GPS Workshops
          Back
          • Academic Success
            Back
            • Back to Basics: Practical Tips for Graduate Writing and Research
            • Beginning with the End in Mind
            • Conferencing Well
            • Note Taking with the Zettelkasten Method
            • Creating a Poster Presentation
            • The Fulbright: Graduate Student Participation
            • Grant Writing - March 2024
            • Grants & Scholarships & Funding, Oh My!
            • Grant Writing - February 2023
            • Set Up Your Scientific Writing
            • Behind the Curtain of Peer Review
            • Practical Pedagogy: Lecture for Learning
            • Practical Pedagogy: Cultivating Your Teaching Persona
            • Practical Pedagogy: Effortless Engagement; Easy Ways to Bring Technology into the Classroom
            • Practical Pedagogy: Rubrics, Rubrics, Rubrics
            • Practical Pedagogy: Writing Good Test Questions
            • Practical Pedagogy: Making Group Work Work
            • Practical Pedagogy: Teaching Situations No One Prepared You For
            • Practical Pedagogy: Discussions That Teach
          • Job Search Preparation
            Back
            • Career Diversity
            • The Pivot Playbook: Adapting & Thriving in Your Next Chapter
            • Diversity Statements
            • Post-Doctoral Opportunities in Canada
            • Developing Your Online Presence
            • Composing Yourself: CVs and Resumes
            • Alt-Ac Careers
            • How to Interview
            • Mock Interviews
          • Wellness
            Back
            • Building & Balancing Community
            • Mental Wellbeing in Graduate School
            • Faith and Work
            • Failing Forward
            • Self-Care
            • Healthy Living in Graduate School
        • Graduate Writing Center
          Back
          • Make An Appointment
          • Meet Our Consultants
          • Events & Resources
          • For Faculty and GPDs
          • Writing Center FAQs
        • Campus Academic Resources
        • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
          Back
          • Graduate School Forms
          • Graduate Student Complaints or Grievances
          • Advisor/Advisee Agreement
          • Policy on Professional Conduct
          • Dismissal Appeal Form
          • Baylor University Student Policies & Procedures
        • Summer Dissertation Fellows
          Back
          • Dissertation Fellows
      • Teaching & Pedagogy
        Back
        • Academy for Teaching & Learning Resources
        • Teacher of Record Information
        • Teaching Capstone in Higher Education
        • Seminars for Excellence in Teaching
        • International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
      • Career Exploration
    • Funding & Award Opportunities
      Back
      • Fellowships & Awards
        Back
        • Data Research Fellowship
        • Doctoral Administrative Fellowship
        • Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship
        • Outstanding Dissertation Award
        • Outstanding Instructor Award
        • Outstanding Research Award
        • Outstanding Grant Proposal Award
      • Graduate Student Job Openings
      • Travel Awards & External Funding
        Back
        • Travel Awards
          Back
          • Apply for Professional Meeting Support
          • Apply for Doctoral Research Support
          • 2024-2025 Travel Awards
          • 2023-2024 Travel Awards
          • 2022-2023 Travel Awards
          • 2021-2022 Travel Awards
          • 2020-2021 Travel Awards
          • 2019-2020 Travel Awards
          • 2018-2019 Travel Awards
          • 2025-2026 Travel Awards
        • External Funding Resources
          Back
          • Events & Seminars
          • External Funding Opportunities
          • Workshops
          • Citizenship Not Required Funding Opportunities
    • Campus Life
      Back
      • Graduate Student Association (GSA)
      • Things to Do at Baylor
      • Calendar & Deadlines
    • Health & Wellness
      Back
      • Health Services & Telehealth
      • Counseling Center
      • Campus Recreation
    • Faith & Scholarship
      Back
      • Baptist Scholarship
        Back
        • BCU Scholars
          Back
          • Current BCU Scholars
          • BCU Scholar Alumni
          • The Schmeltekopf Fellowship for Educational Leadership
            Back
            • Don Schmeltekopf: Early Life and Foundations
            • Graduate Education and the NEH (1963 - 1984)
            • Mars Hill and Baptist Culture (1985-1990)
            • A New Vision for Baylor (1990-2006)
            • The Future of Baptist Education
            • Service Recognized
            • Judy Schmeltekopf: Faith, Family, and Baptist Life
            • Faith and Learning at Baylor: Reflections by Dr. Michael Beaty
            • Don Schmeltekopf: Some Thoughts by Dr. David Solomon
            • Testimonials from Friends of the Schmeltekopf Fellowship
            • Past Schmeltekopf Fellows
        • BSIR
      • Conyers Scholars
        Back
        • Conyers Scholars Residential Program
          Back
          • Conyers Scholars Residential Program Leaders
          • Current Conyers Scholars (Residential)
          • Past Conyers Scholars (Residential)
        • Conyers Scholars Online Program
          Back
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Leaders
        • Who was A.J. "Chip" Conyers?
      • Ramm Scholars
    • Living in Waco
      Back
      • Waco Cultural Guide
      • Living in Waco
      • Housing, Transportation, & Nutrition
        Back
        • Graduate Student Housing Community
          Back
          • Pinetree
          • Speight-Jenkins
          • Browning Square
          • The Quadrangle
        • Parking
    • TWO Newsletter
    • Completing Your Degree
      Back
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Dissertation & Thesis Overview
        Back
        • Committee and Defense
        • Preliminary Technical Review
        • Formatting Resources
        • Dissertation and Thesis Forms
        • Co-Authored Work and Publications
        • Dissertation & Thesis Frequently Asked Questions
      • Requirements for Graduation
        Back
        • Regalia
        • Letter of Completion
      • Completing Your Degree FAQs
  • Apply Now
  • Canvas
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678