Participating in Commencement

The Difference Between Commencement and Degree Conferral

Conferral of an academic degree is a separate event from the public commencement ceremony that symbolically commemorates that academic achievement. Baylor students who participate in commencement ceremonies are considered "candidates" for a degree. The final awarding of degrees and honors is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the appropriate requirements by each candidate. Degree conferral is not official until grades are posted and candidates are certified as having completed all requirements. Only then do graduates receive their diplomas, which are sent to them several weeks after the end of the semester.