Graduation Process

Summer 2026 Graduation

Summer graduates are invited to participate in the December commencement ceremony. Inclusion in the printed program depends on meeting the published deadlines. 

Application Opens: Now open
Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
Commencement:  December 12, 2026 

Before completing the graduation application, students should:

1. Verify requirements:

• Review your Degree Works audit to confirm you are on track to meet all program requirements.
• Verify the completion of graduation requirements with your advisor; resolve any remaining coursework, substitutions, or incomplete grades. 
• Submit any necessary paperwork if any requirements remain unsatisfied.

2. Resolve holds:

• Check for holds in Student Self-Service.
• Contact the appropriate office/department to clear the hold.
  • Student Accounts
  • Financial Aid
• Once released, notify the graduation office.

Resolving Holds Guide

3. Perkins Loan recipients:

• Email the Office of Financial Aid and complete a Perkins Loan exit interview .

4. Verify program(s) and personal information:

• Verify programs shown in Self-Service > Student Profile > Graduation Information.
• Check the name that will appear on the diploma and update personal information if needed.
• Complete separate graduation applications for each program and/or certificate you are completing.
• All students must apply to graduate to receive a degree, diploma, or certificate.

These steps help ensure the application is accurate and prevent delays in awarding the degree.

Students apply for graduation through myPennWest.

• Log in to myPennWest > Student Self-Service.
• In your student profile area, select Application to Graduate.
• Verify the curriculum and term are correct, select Continue. 

Note: The graduation term represents the term you will complete degree requirements and not the term of the grad ceremony you wish to walk in.

• Select the program you are completing and intended graduation date.

Note: If pursuing two degrees concurrently, complete a separate graduation application for each.

• Select name to appear on diploma - legal or preferred;

Note: Entering a new name does not change student record. If your legal name has changed, submit a Student Information Change form. 

• Select an address or add a new diploma mailing address.
• Review the Graduation Application Summary, then click Submit Request.
• View Acknowledgement: This confirms that your application has been submitted. The Office of the Registrar will send further details about diplomas and commencement.
• Degree Works update: Once submitted, your “Applied to Graduate” status will be visible in your degree audit.

Download Intructions

Latin honors are awarded at graduation to baccalaureate degree-seeking students who have attempted and earned at least 30 credits at Pennsylvania Western University and achieved an overall GPA as follows: 

Honors and Cumulative GPA

• Summa Cum Laude - 3.80 - 4.00
• Magna Cum Laude - 3.60 - 3.79
• Cum Laude - 3.40 - 3.59

– Latin honors are awarded to undergraduate students only; graduate students are not eligible for Latin honors.

– Students graduating with an associate degree will graduate “with Honors” if they earn at least 15 credits from PennWest and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.40. Credits, grades, and quality points earned as part of a previously completed associate or first degree are not used to calculate honors at graduation. However, for students who earn an associate degree from PennWest and continue to a baccalaureate degree, credits earned toward the associate degree will be counted in meeting the 45-credit graduation residency requirement and for the calculation of the cumulative GPA for honors at graduation.

Please review Policy AC018: Academic Honors at Graduation for details.

Date, Times and Locations

The ceremony date, times, locations are updated on the Commencement Event page. 

Commencement Event Information

Graduation Essentials

• Guest tickets
• Honors cords/stoles
• Photos
• Regalia - caps/gowns/tassels
• Rehearsals

Undergraduate

Graduate

Questions regarding the commencement ceremony?

Contact Us