Apply to Graduate

We're committed to helping you reach your goals.

This webpage is packed with all things graduation and commencement. Reach out to graduation@csmd.edu with any questions.

First Things First: Apply to Graduate

Congratulations! You’ve reached a noteworthy academic milestone that deserves to be celebrated.

Apply to Graduate

NOTE: Students in a program with concentrations must meet with an Academic Advisor to apply for graduation.

Important Dates and deadlines

Students who successfully apply for graduation in Summer (August 2024), Fall (December 2024), or Spring (May 2025) will be invited to participate in the 66th Commencement Ceremony on May 9, 2025.
Tickets may be required for this event.
The graduation process and awarding of a credential are separate from the ceremony.
Graduates are encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments, but participation is not required.
All diplomas are mailed to students at the address submitted on their graduation application.

Spring (May) 2025 Graduation
Last day to apply	04/01/2025
Caps and Gowns available for purchase	04/07/205
Conferral/Commencement date	05/09/2025
Posting date (showing on transcript)	06/15/2025
Diplomas mailed directly to students	June 2025

Commencement Schedule

May 09, 2025

PE Building - La Plata Campus

9:00 a.m.

School of Liberal Arts

(graduates arrive at 7:30 a.m.)

1:00 p.m.

School of Professional and Technical Studies

(graduates arrive at 11:30 a.m.)

5:00 p.m.

School of Health Sciences

(graduates arrive at 3:30 p.m.)

Tickets may be required for entrance.

Notification will be sent out in early April.

Summer (August) 2025 Graduation
Last day to apply	08/01/2025
Conferral date	08/31/2025
Posting date (showing on transcript)	09/15/2025
Diplomas mailed directly to students	September 2025

Fall (December) 2025 Graduation NOTE: Students completing their program during the Winter Term must apply for Spring Graduation
Last day to apply	12/01/2025
Conferral date	12/31/2025
Posting date (showing on transcript)	01/15/2026
Diplomas mailed directly to students	January 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t I just graduate automatically when I have finished my requirements?

No. To graduate from CSM, you need to apply online through Online Services or meet with an academic advisor.

What are the qualifications for graduation?

To qualify as a candidate for a degree or certificate, students must complete all courses required in the curriculum. Unless required courses have been officially waived, all students must meet the course requirements of their program to graduate.

To graduate, students must pass all courses required in their curriculum and must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all work at the college. AAT students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a copy of their PRAXIS scores must be on file with CSM.

When should I apply to graduate?

Students should apply for graduation when they are in their last semester of classes. Please refer to the Important Dates for deadlines. All associate, certificate, and LOR candidates are eligible for graduation. LOR (Letters of Recognition) recipients do not participate in the ceremony.

Do I have to pay a fee to graduate?

There is no fee to apply to graduate or attend the ceremony. The only fee involved will be the purchase of a cap and gown from the Bookstore.

What requirements do I need to graduate with Honors?

There are three levels of honors awarded at the completion of degrees or certificates.

Highest honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 to 4.
High honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89
Honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74

Students must have earned at least one-half of their degree or certificate credits at CSM in order to be eligible for honors. The honors designation is recorded on the transcript and eligible students will be given an honor cord to wear at the ceremony.

I am a member of PTK. How do I get my regalia?

If you are a PTK member, you are eligible to purchase any or all of the following to wear at graduation: Honors stole, Gold Honors Tassel, or Double Honors Cord. If you choose to do so, these items must be ordered directly from PTK International Headquarters. Please visit their website at www.ptk.org

For additional information regarding PTK, please contact Mike Green at 301-934-7598 or email mikeg@csmd.edu.

What happens if I do not successfully complete all the credits I need for my degree after I apply to graduate?

You will be notified after the ceremony that you did not satisfy your requirements and you may apply again as soon as you register for your remaining classes.

Do I have to participate in the ceremony in order to receive my diploma?

No. While we encourage you to participate in this event, you do not have to participate in order to receive your diploma. In fact, all diplomas are mailed within four weeks of the actual ceremony.

When to apply for graduation if I am completing my program during the Winter Term?

Students completing their program during the Winter Term must apply for Spring Graduation

Graduation