Completing Your Program

Once admitted into a program in the School of Public Affairs, it is important to meet with your academic advisor to develop a plan for completing your program. Degree-seeking students should regularly log in to CU Denver's Degree Audit tool to check your progress toward fulfilling the requirements of your degree. 

When you begin your final semester of classes, make an appointment with your academic advisor to verify that you will fulfill the graduation requirements by the end of that semester.

Graduation

Once degree-seeking students are in your final semester and have verified with your academic advisor that you are on track to graduate, you must apply for graduation through the UCD Access student portal. Once logged in to the portal, navigate to the “Student Center,” then select “Apply for Graduation” and follow the remaining steps. Learn more about graduating from CU Denver.

Incomplete Grades

Please be aware that students cannot be approved to graduate if they have an incomplete grade on their record. All incomplete grades must be resolved by the beginning of the student’s final semester. Students with incomplete grades in their records should contact their academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss timelines and possible implications.

Commencement

Participating in the commencement ceremony requires an additional application. Graduating students are not required to participate in the ceremony. Learn more about the application process and deadline for degree-seeking students to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Honor Cords for Graduating Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate School of Public Affairs students who are graduating with a 3.75 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to wear honor cords as part of their regalia during their commencement ceremony. The honor cords are provided by the University of Colorado Denver free of change. Eligible students are provided information about honor cord pick-up during their final semester. GPAs are calculated at the beginning of the student’s final semester. Additionally, students who graduate with a 3.75 or higher cumulative GPA graduate with distinction, which is notated on the Commencement program, and on the student’s transcript. The School of Public Affairs does not recognize Latin Honors. Please note that honor cords are not part of the regalia for students graduating from graduate program.

Student Organizations Regalia for Graduating Undergraduate & Graduate Students

Graduating students who are members of Alpha Phi Sigma and Pi Alpha Alpha can order graduation regalia to wear at commencement. Members can find information about ordering graduation regalia on the Alpha Phi Sigma and Pi Alpha Alpha sections of the Student Associations & Honor Societies web page. If a student is not yet a member of Alpha Phi Sigma or Pi Alpha Alpha but is eligible for membership and wants to order graduation regalia, please first submit your membership application. Please do not submit an order for graduation regalia until you have received confirmation that your membership has been approved. 

Questions about graduation regalia and cords provided by other student clubs should be directed to the relevant club and/or office.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after the final semester ends. Learn more about diplomas and review frequently asked questions.

Ordering Transcripts

For information on how to request unofficial and official transcripts, please visit the Transcripts section of the Office of the Registrar website.