So, you are graduating soon. Congratulations in advance, but you are not there yet! Please keep tabs on your Temple email, as CLA Advising will email you with important information regarding your academics, applying to graduate, and the graduation ceremonies.   

*Note for December graduates: Please remember to keep your TU email active by updating your password when prompted. This will ensure you receive information on the graduation ceremonies in May. 

There are different aspects to the graduation process that begin in your final semester: applying to graduate, completing your academic requirements, and conferral of the degree. This website will offer more information on this process as well as the graduation ceremonies. 

Please read through all the information on this webpage. If you still have questions, please contact one of these two emails: 

• [click-for-email]: For questions on graduation ceremonies, ticketing, parking passes, regalia, accommodations, etc.

• [click-for-email]: For questions on graduation applications, degree requirements, diplomas, completion letters, etc.

Applying to Graduate

In your final, graduating semester, you will be asked to complete a Graduation Application. The application is short and confirms details about your academic record. You will be emailed when the application is available for your graduating term.

While it is ultimately your responsibility to review degree requirements and ensure you are on track, CLA Advising is always here to help, and we encourage all students to check in with advisors regularly throughout their academic journey.  

In the few months before your graduation semester, your records will be reviewed carefully by advisors to ensure that your final semester roster is accurate and will fulfill your remaining degree requirements.  

If your roster is sound, you will receive a graduation ‘pre-approval’ email. If your roster is problematic, you will receive an email explaining what you must change in your roster to ensure you can graduate. You will need to revise your roster per the email instructions.

It is very important that you wait until your final semester to submit an application (i.e. if you are graduating in August, you must wait until the summer term to apply even if you are participating in the spring semester commencement). 

Please note that your graduation application will remain active ("under review") until all final grades are posted and reviewed. After a review of your final semester grades, your application will either be approved or denied.  

Graduation applications are not connected to participation in graduation ceremonies.  

How to Apply to Graduate 

To submit a graduation application, please go to TU Portal > Student Tools > Records > Apply to Graduate. 

If you are pursuing a certificate(s), the system will force you to apply for the certificate program(s) when you apply for your BA/BS degree.  

How Do I Change My Name on My Diploma? 

If you would like to update your diploma name, please follow directions on the Registrar’s website by the listed deadline.

Graduation Pre-Approval/Academics 

While it is ultimately your responsibility to review degree requirements and ensure you are on track, CLA Advising is always here to help, and we encourage all students to check in with advisors regularly throughout their academic journey.  

In the few months before your graduation semester, your records will be reviewed carefully by advisors to ensure that your final semester roster is accurate and will fulfill your remaining degree requirements.  

If your roster is sound, you will receive a graduation ‘pre-approval’ email. If your roster is problematic, you will receive an email explaining what you must change in your roster to ensure you can graduate. You will need to revise your roster per the email instructions.

Graduation Ceremony

Graduation ceremonies are meant to celebrate all that you have achieved at Temple; they are a physical representation of the bridge from your undergraduate degree to life beyond. As a CLA student, you will have the opportunity to attend two different graduation ceremonies:

• University Commencement: The main University Commencement celebrates graduates from all schools/colleges at Temple. This commencement ceremony is ticketed, and students can only invite four guests. You will not cross the stage during commencement. For more information on University Commencement, please Temple's Commencement website.

• CLA Graduation Ceremony: The CLA Graduation Ceremony celebrates graduates from our college only. This ceremony is not ticketed, and students can invite an unlimited number of guests. You will cross the stage and have your picture taken during this ceremony. 

Please note that you will not receive your diploma at either ceremony, as the ceremonies themselves do not indicate an official ‘graduation’ from Temple.  

Can I decorate the cap? 

Students are welcome to decorate the caps they purchase as long as the resulting decoration is not offensive. 

I have Latin Honors; where can I get my cords? 

Students can pick up Latin Honors cords at the front desk of the CLA Advising Center (Gladfelter 121).

How can I order my regalia (cap/gown)? 

You can buy your regalia at the Temple University Bookstore throughout the academic year. The store is located in Paley Hall, and the phone number is (215) 204-5578.   

You can also order your regalia online and have it shipped to you. Please visit this website for more information.

When Will I Get my Degree/Diploma?

The short answer is that it takes time, as there are several steps different offices and companies complete before you can receive your final diploma.  

After your final semester grades post, CLA Advising reviews your records once again and either approves or denies your graduation application.  

At this point, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) works on conferring your degree, a process that takes a few weeks. Once that’s completed, you can order transcripts that show your degree is completed.

After they confer your degree, OUR also requests your diplomas from an external company, which processes the requests and sends you a digital diploma to your chosen email address (from the graduation application). That email with the digital diploma includes instructions on how to order a physical diploma.  

• You can read about diplomas on OUR’s website. 

Senior Portraits

Book your appointment to get your senior portrait taken HERE.  

Where: Howard Gittis Student Center, Meeting Room - 217D - 2nd Floor 

• Sitting will include poses in your own business attire and cap & gown. The cap/gown attire will be provided. 
• There is no charge to be photographed. 
• You can use these portraits for your Professional Networking and Job Search sites. 
• Your proofs will be available online 7-10 days after you are photographed. Please look for an email with the information to access them. 

Appointments are limited. Don't miss this opportunity to be photographed for the 2026 Templar Yearbook! 

Please note that CLA Advising does not schedule senior portraits, but we will send emails throughout the semester when dates are added. Please email Prestige Photography directly ([click-for-email]) if you have any questions about the photo session or photographs.