Timing of degree and degree verification

Timing of your degree

  • Your degree will be posted on your transcript 4-6 weeks after degree deadline.
  • Your diploma will be mailed to you 12-14 weeks after degree deadline. 
  • Please be sure and update your address in your student center.
  • International students must add a diploma address in order to confirm where they would like their diplomas sent.
  • Please wait at least 3 business days after degree deadline before contacting the Graduate School about your degree.  
  • Degrees are not posted instantaneously after degree deadline; Graduate School staff have work to do before the process is complete.

Degree completion letters

  • If you have completed all degree requirements and deposited your thesis or dissertation and are waiting until the next degree conferral date to receive your degree, you may request and receive a letter indicating that all requirements have been completed. 
  • After your dissertation has been accepted and your final grade has been submitted, you may fill out a form on the registrar’s website and send it as an attachment – the submit button does not work - to Academic Services (the address is on the form): https://registrar.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2017/06/Graduate_School_Degree_Completion_Form.pdf

  • All grades from the semester in which you are depositing your dissertation (and all other outstanding grades) must be reported to the Graduate School before you can receive a completion letter. 

  • Electronic grades can only be submitted at the end of the semester.

  • If your final grade has not been submitted yet, your grad coordinator in your department can help submit a "paper" grade change form and can email Alexandra Walter to let her know the grade change is in process.
  • Please allow at least 5 business days for your completion letter to be processed.