Degree Conferral & Diplomas
Academic Degree Conferral
To be awarded an academic degree, students must successfully complete all course work required for their program.
Degree Timeline
After completing your final semester and upon final grades being posted, the Registrar’s Office will conduct a final review of your academic record, according to the following timeline:
- Spring applicants: Academic records are reviewed during the first two weeks of June. Statuses are typically updated and degrees conferred during the third week of June.
- August applicants: Academic records are reviewed in Mid-August. Statuses are typically updated and degrees conferred during the third week of August
- December applicants: Academic records are reviewed during the first two weeks of January. Statuses are typically updated and degrees conferred during the third week of January.
All missing and incomplete grades on your record must be resolved and all degree requirements fulfilled before your degree can be awarded. Such discrepancies in your academic record may extend this timeframe or delay your graduation to a future term.
Once your degree is posted, your transcript will immediately reflect your degree as conferred.
Please visit Transcript Services for information on how to obtain or send a copy of your official transcript.
Undergraduate students may achieve recognition as honors graduates through Latin Honors or through the Honors Program as an “Honors Scholar.”
Latin Honors will be listed on both your transcript and diploma when awarded.
The Honors Scholar notation will appear only on your transcript.
NOTE: These honors are not evaluated or awarded until after student degrees have been posted.
Diplomas
All students will receive a paper copy of their diploma that will be mailed to the permanent home address on record as listed below:
- December graduates: early March
- May Graduates: early August
- August Graduates: early October
Students with financial holds will not receive their diplomas. Please contact regisrar@bowiestate.edu once your hold has been resolved.
Your official name will appear on your diploma as listed in your record through Bulldog Connection. To request a name change, please submit a data correction form along with the official documentation to the Registrar’s Office.
Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral, and Certificate of Advanced Study/Post-Master’s diplomas measure 14 inches wide by 11 inches.
Certificates (both Undergraduate and Graduate) measure 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches.
The diploma will feature your name, degree, major & Latin Honors for qualifying students.
Completed minors, tracks & concentrations as well as the Honors Scholar notation will appear on your transcript, not on the diploma.
Diploma Retention and Replacement Policy
The University will hold diplomas for one year from the date they are available for pickup or mailing.
Diplomas that are not claimed within one year will be securely destroyed. If your diploma has been destroyed, you will need to order and pay for a replacement diploma.
Once your hold has been resolved, you must notify the Office of the Registrar so we know your diploma is eligible for release. We are not automatically notified when holds are removed.If your diploma remained unclaimed for more than one year, it will have been destroyed in accordance with the University's diploma retention policy. You will need to order and pay for a replacement diploma.
Alumni of Bowie State University may request duplicate or replacement copies of their diplomas by placing an order request through the link below. Once the request is received, requestors will be notified via email that it has been approved or denied. If approved, the order will be placed for the credential. If denied, requestors can follow-up with the Registrar’s office regarding the reason.There is a fee of $60 per diploma ordered. Express delivery is also available at an additional charge for each diploma ordered. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery.
If a former student’s name has changed since graduating, please note that the diploma will still read the name as of when the student graduated from Bowie State University.