Graduation
Completing an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree represents the culmination of years of academic preparation. CDM recognizes the challenges students overcome in order to meet their goals, and so our professional advisors in the CDM Academic Success Center are available to assist you as you approach the important and exciting time of graduation. The information provided on this site is intended to further assist you and clarify your graduation requirements.
Additionally, the DePaul University commencement web site includes information for students and families about the annual commencement ceremony and other commencement weekend events. Students may visit the Herff-Jones web site directly for information about ordering graduation announcements, class rings, etc.
To graduate from DePaul University, all students are minimally expected to meet certain minimum requirements. These requirements may not be waived under any circumstances.
- Complete the minimum number of credit hours required for the declared program of study. The minimum required credit hours are:
- 192 for B.A. or B.S. degrees
- 208 for B.F.A. degrees
- 52 graduate credit hours for most M.S. degrees. The M.S. in Information Systems requires 53 credit hours
- 64 graduate credit hours for M.F.A. degrees in Cinema and Screenwriting
- 79 graduate credit hours for M.F.A. in Animation
- 60 graduate credit hours beyond a master’s degree for the Ph.D.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA.
- Undergraduate degrees require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000
- Graduate degrees require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.500
- Satisfy all program specific GPA requirements. See program descriptions for details.
- Undergraduate students must satisfy the University Residency Policy, which requires that the final 60 credit hours are completed in residence at DePaul University.
- Submit an “Application for Degree Conferral” in campus connection by the posted deadline.
- October 1st for students completing degree requirements in fall quarter
- January 15th for students completing degree requirements in winter quarter
- February 1st for students completing degree requirements in spring quarter
- July 15th for students completing degree requirements at any point in summer
- Ph.D. and M.F.A. graduates must obtain final approval for degree conferral from their designated review committees. Students should consult their faculty advisors regarding this approval.
Submitting the application for degree conferral allows CDM to audit your academic record for degree completion and it prompts the University’s Office of Student Records to prepare your official diploma.
Students are encouraged to submit the application for degree conferral at least one month prior to deadlines indicated above. Failure to submit an application for degree conferral by the appropriate date prohibits the posting of the degree to the official transcript and the printing of the diploma.
One commencement ceremony is held each year for the College of Computing and Digital Media. This ceremony is typically held on the Sunday immediately following the last day of final exams for spring quarter. Attendance at the commencement ceremony is optional; however, students are encouraged to attend and share their accomplishments with family and friends.
Students will be prompted to r.s.v.p. for the commencement ceremony when submitting the application for degree conferral and are provided a link to submit an order for their cap and gown. All students must order a cap and gown if they intend to participate in the commencement ceremony.
The Office of Student Records notifies students via email when the degree is officially posted to the transcript and the diploma is ready to be mailed. This will be approximately 6-8 weeks after the term in which the student graduated. Students should make sure the mailing address in campus connect is updated appropriately to ensure proper delivery of the diploma. At this time, students may wish to submit an
online request for the official transcript.