FAQs | Steps to Apply for Graduation | Application Fees | Graduation Experts

Graduation Application FAQs

Q: Can the EKU Gurus help me?

A: Yes, you can always stop by a Guru location to ask questions.

Q: How do I apply to graduate?

A: Log into MyEKU > Big E Central card > Student Records > Apply to Graduate.

Q: When should I apply to graduate?

A: Undergraduate students are required to apply to graduate by their 90th earned hour or a registration hold will be placed on their record. Graduate students should refer to the deadlines published on the Graduate School website and in the Graduate catalog

Q: How quickly will the Undergraduate registration hold be lifted?

A: 30 minutes. The program that lifts the Graduation Holds runs every 30 minutes. Therefore, once you correctly submit an application, 30 minutes is the longest you will have to wait.

Q: What if I do not create an academic plan in Degree Works?

A: When your College Graduation Expert reviews your record, they will expect to see a plan that includes all graduation requirements. If the plan is complete, your graduation goal will be approved. If your anticipated graduation semester is neither reasonable nor possible, and your plan needs to be changed, you will be notified.

Q: What happens if I ignore the advice of my College Graduation Expert?

A: It is very important that you have a complete, and reasonable, academic plan in DegreeWorks and that your stated graduation time frame is possible. Your College Graduation Expert will apply a hold and prevent you from adding/dropping/withdrawing from any classes until your academic plan in DegreeWorks, and your anticipated graduation term, are appropriate for your stated major.

Q: Will EKU kick me out if I don’t finish my degree by my graduation term on my application?

A: No, the term you have on your application is just a goal, it is when you anticipate you might graduate. That anticipated graduation term may need to be adjusted. Your College Graduation Expert will do that for you. Contact them to discuss deferring graduation to a later semester, or it may be done for you after your application is reviewed, or after your final grades are reviewed.

Q: If I don’t plan to participate in the Commencement ceremony, do I still need to apply?

A: Yes. The application for graduation is required in order for your degree to be conferred.

Q: What if I do not apply?

A: You will have a hold that will prevent you from adding/dropping/withdrawing from any classes until this requirement is met (this applies to undergraduate students only). Applying online is quick and easy; it only takes a few minutes.

Q: Why should I apply now? I don’t think I will be graduating this year.

A: EKU is committed to each student graduating in the most time efficient and cost effective route. You cannot know what that route is until you go through Degree Works and carefully create your best, and most direct, route to graduation. Even if your graduation semester is four or five semesters out, there is great value in creating a term-by-term plan in Degree Works and a firm graduation goal, and staying on track to reach that goal.

Q: I tried to apply but my major is not listed on the application.

A: You can only apply to graduate for the major that is listed on your Degree Works audit. If you want a degree that is different from what is on Degree Works, you must change your major first, before applying to graduate. See your advisor to do this. However, if your current major (as shown on Degree Works) is correct but is not showing up in myEKU when you try to apply to graduate, then please email Big E Central. Be sure to email from your EKU email account and include your name and EKU ID in your email.

Q: Who do I ask if I need help submitting an application?

A: You can contact the College Graduation Expert for your major, speak with an EKU Guru or email Big E Central.

Q: Will I be charged a graduation fee?

A: Yes, once you apply to graduate with your degree, the appropriate, non-refundable, graduation fee will be applied to your account. The fee for an undergraduate degree is $50. The fee for a graduate degree is $55 plus late fees if application is received after published deadlines.

Q: I am also earning a University Certificate. Do I have to submit an application for that as well as my degree?

A: Yes. You will need to submit a separate application for your certificate, but only if it is a University Certificate (requires 24 or more credit hours to complete). If the certificate is a departmental certificate (requires fewer than 24 credit hours to complete), then you do not submit an application through myEKU.

Q: If I am earning a double major, will I have to pay two fees?

A: No, you are still earning only one bachelor’s degree. That degree is the one associated with your first major. You will be charged only one graduation fee of $50 for that baccalaureate degree. However, you do need to submit two applications—one application for each major. Remember to submit a 2nd application to get the 2nd major listed on your transcript.

Q: I am earning a double major but was billed a 2nd graduation fee. Is that right?

A: No, you should be charged only one fee. If you happen to get billed a 2nd graduation fee, your College Graduation Expert for your major can have that 2nd fee reversed.

Q: What is the difference between “Double Major” and “Dual Degree”?

A:

1. Double Major—The student earns one bachelor’s degree and receives only one diploma. There is a 2nd area of study (2nd major), but the student has not earned enough hours to complete an additional bachelor’s degree. The student’s transcript will state that the student earned one degree with two major areas of study.  
2. Dual Degree—The student completed all requirements for two separate bachelor’s degree programs, earning at least 150 credit hours, and therefore, will receive two diplomas. The student’s transcript will list two separate baccalaureate degrees in different disciplines.

Q: What does the graduation fee cover?

A: The graduation fee covers processing, production and mailing of the EKU diploma, as well as the complementary official transcript sent to each graduating student. Students pay a graduation fee for each diploma produced. One diploma = one graduation fee. Students with double majors pay one graduation fee. Students earning two degrees—dual degree earners—pay two graduation fees, one for each degree earned. Two degrees = two graduation fees.

Q: I am earning two degrees. I plan on receiving two diplomas. Do I pay two graduation fees?

A: Yes, you pay a graduation fee for each diploma produced. You are considered a “Dual Degree” student. The graduation fee covers processing, production and mailing of your diplomas and complementary graduating transcripts. Two diplomas = two graduation fees. It is important that your College Graduation Expert knows you are earning Dual Degrees—if this is not noted on your record, and on your Degree Works, then you will only receive one degree and only one diploma.

Didn’t find the answer you needed?

See our Pre-Commencement FAQ and our Student Graduation Day FAQ. Still no luck? Email Big E Central with any additional questions you might have.

Steps to Apply for Graduation

Undergraduate students become eligible to graduate by:

1. Completing all program requirements as specified in the applicable undergraduate catalog
2. Submitting a Graduation Application through myEKU

Graduate students become eligible to graduate by:

1. Completing all program requirements as specified in the applicable graduate catalog
2. Scheduling the comprehensive exam or thesis defense (GRD)
3. Submitting a Graduation Application through myEKU by:
   August 31 for December degree conferral
   January 31 for May degree conferral
   May 31 for Summer degree conferral 

Ceremonies are held at the close of the fall and spring semesters. Students who are candidates for graduation are encouraged to participate in the ceremony.

Graduation Application Fees

Undergraduate:

The graduation application fee is $50 for each undergraduate-level degree sought, and $20 for each undergraduate University certificate sought.

Graduate:

The graduation application fee is $55 for each graduate-level degree sought and $20 for each graduate University certificate sought .

How the graduation fees are applied:

The fee is assessed to the student’s EKU account upon completion of the graduation application. This graduation fee partially offsets the production and mailing of diplomas and certificates.