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Graduation Information

Deadlines to apply for graduation:

Fall 2007 -  October 1, 2007
Spring 2008 - February 1, 2008
Summer 2008 - July 1, 2008

Graduation Application (pdf will open in a new window)

Degree Clearance Process

Step 1: Apply for graduation.

  • Obtain the application for graduation form on-line at Trinity’s website or from the Enrollment Services office. 
  • Obtain the signature required on the form from Enrollment Services. 
  • Please note that you are required to have your application signed even if you do not receive financial aid.
  • Pay the graduation fee to the Business Office.
  • You also need to sign the completed form and submit it to Enrollment Services by the posted deadline.

Step 2: Enrollment Services will coordinate with your advisor and financial aid to clear you for graduation.

Step 3: Once the gratuation clearances are completed Enrollment Services will notify you by mail.

THEN:

If you are cleared to graduate, you will receive a letter with information on how to get your diploma.

OR

If you are not cleared to graduate, you will receive a letter explaining why you are not cleared and who you should contact. Keep in mind that you must reapply for graduation for the next term in which you intend to complete your requirements.

Here are some reasons why you may not be cleared for graduation:

  • You are registered for a subsequent term (YOU MUST REAPPLY FOR THAT TERM).
  • You have a financial obligation to the University.
  • You have not fulfilled all University and/or departmental graduation requirements.
  • We have not received an official transcript to be able to evaluate and award transfer credit needed to meet degree requirements.
  • Your name does not match the information contained in our database--please provide documentation i.e. court order, marriage license, and social security card or divorce decree so that we can make these corrections.

Diploma Guidelines

The objective of these guidelines is to ensure the uniformity of wording, lay-out, and format of Trinity diplomas. As diplomas may be considered legal documents in some settings, uniformity helps to guard against diploma misuse and credential fraud.

These guidelines apply to diplomas awarded for the bachelors and masters degrees.

  1. Graduate degrees may include the student's academic major if the major is included in the degree title (e.g., Master of Arts in Teaching).
  2. Undergraduate diplomas do not include the student's academic major.
  3. Undergraduate diplomas shall include Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) when earned.
  4. Graduate degrees are not awarded Latin honors.
  5. The College of Arts and Sciences degrees are printed in Latin—all others are printed in English.
  6. Diplomas shall include the seal of the University and shall carry the signature of each of the following two incumbent administrators: Chair of the Board of Trustees and President of Trinity.

The name on printed on your diploma must conform to the name on record.

Latin Honors

Latin honors are conferred on graduating CAS and SPS undergraduate students who have achieved the following minimum cumulative grade point averages:

cum laude - 3.5
magna cum laude - 3.7
summa cum laude - 3.9

To be eligible for Latin honors, a student must have earned a minimum of 64 credits at Trinity, excluding credits earned through examination or experiential learning.

Latin Diplomas

The College of Arts and Sciences diplomas are printed in Latin. Below is a translation of the Latin diploma.

Trinity College

Offers greeting in the Lord to all who will read this document

Since is of good character and has successfully pursued the study of the
liberal arts in accordance with the requirements of the statutes and regulations of our
College by the authority duly delegated to us, we admit her to the rank of

And we freely confer on her all the rights, honor, and privileges attached to this rank.

In witness of this fact, we affix to this document the seal of the college and add our signatures.


Replacement Diplomas

Graduates may request a replacement diploma if their original diploma has been lost or destroyed. Replacement diplomas shall carry all information contained on the original except that all signatories will be current administrators. Graduates requesting a replacement diploma will be subject to the current fee for such diplomas. Replacements are ordered on a monthly basis--please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. If your name has changed since you graduated, your diploma will still read your name as of when you graduated from Trinity. If you would like your diploma mailed you must submit a request in writing to The Office of the Registrar. All diplomas are shipped via regular USPS mail and may be shipped overseas.
Unclaimed Diplomas: Unclaimed, undeliverable or withheld diplomas are retained in the Registrar's Office for a period of five years after which time they may be destroyed. Graduates wishing to replace an unclaimed, destroyed diploma must purchase a replacement diploma as described above.

Duplicate Diploma Request Form (pdf will open in new window)

Is your contact information accurate and up-to-date?? As a candidate for graduation, the University will be contacting you with important information on Commencement and Senior Activities. Click here to access the change of address form. You can also obtain the Change of Address form from The Office of the Registrar.

Contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 202-884-9530, by fax at 202-884-9524 or via email at EnrollmentServices@trinitydc.edu