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This site contains information related to degree completion at UAB. For specific degree requirements, access the Graduate Catalog. Otherwise, click one of the buttons below to navigate to the relevant Earning Your Degree section.

Graduation Planning System (GPS)

You can access your degree requirements through UAB’s Graduation Planning System (GPS). Your personalized audit will list all of the courses required to earn your degree/certificate and will display completed, in-progress, and outstanding requirements. GPS is accessed through BlazerNET by clicking the GPS button in the menu on the right side of your home page. You should also be aware of the Graduate School’s minimum requirements, which can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Your GPS audit should be reviewed every semester to track your progress and help determine your registration plans. GPS is not intended to replace your relationship with your academic advisor/graduate department but should be used in conjunction with their consultation.

If you see a discrepancy on your audit, contact your department immediately to address the concern. The Graduate School uses your GPS audit to award your degree/certificate so it must be accurate and complete.

Learn more: GPS

Access GPS

Application for Degree

As you are approaching your final term, you must notify your program and the Graduate School of your intent to graduate by submitting the Application for Degree/Certificate by the appropriate deadline. This must be completed even if you do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony. 

Upon submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application. In addition, a fee will be assessed to your account. This fee covers the verification of your curriculum requirements and your diploma and will only be assessed the first time you apply to graduate for that specific degree/certificate. The fee for graduate degrees is $60 and the fee for graduate certificates is $20.

If a student misses the application for degree deadline, their degree will not be awarded for that term. The student should apply to graduate the next open term.

  • Upon request, a letter of pending degree can be generated confirming the term the degree will be awarded upon successful submission of an application for degree and completion of all degree requirements.

Know Your Deadlines!

The Graduate School has the deadlines listed below for application for degrees and/or graduate-level certificates. Degree requirements can be found in the Graduate Catalog. The Application for Degree/Certificate is accessible through BlazerNET by clicking on Links/Forms and selecting Apply for Graduate Degree/Certificate.

Plan I Deadlines (students completing a thesis or dissertation)

Semester

Application for Degree and/or Certificate Deadline

Final Defense Deadline

Diploma

Deadline for Document Submission

Spring 2025

January 21, 2025

April 4, 2025

May 2, 2025

No later than 10 business days following public defense.

Summer 2025

June 9, 2025

July 11, 2025

August 16, 2025

No later than 10 business days following public defense.

Fall 2025

September 2, 2025

November 14, 2025

December 12, 2025

No later than 10 business days following public defense.


Plan II Deadlines (students NOT completing a thesis or dissertation)

Semester

Application for Degree and/or Certificate Deadline*

Diploma

Spring 2025

January 21, 2025

May 2, 2025

Summer 2025

June 9, 2025

August 16, 2025

Fall 2025

September 2, 2025

December 12, 2025

*IMPORTANT: Please check the application deadline with your department as some programs have earlier deadline dates (e.g. School of Education and Human Sciences).

Degree Awarding

Degrees are awarded after final grades are posted (check the UAB Academic Calendar for the date grades are posted online). When your degree is awarded, you can access an official transcript that includes the degree through UAB One Stop.     

Prior to awarding degrees, the Graduate School will send an email verifying your degree, diploma name, and diploma mailing address. You can update information by replying to that email. Diplomas will ship 4-6 weeks after graduation.

Enrollment Verification

Commencement & Diploma

Commencement Information

The commencement ceremony for Masters, Education Specialists, and Doctoral graduates will be held on the Friday evening following final exams.

If you are interested in participating in the university commencement ceremony, you can find all relevant information on the UAB Commencement website. Participation requires that you sign up on the commencement website and order the appropriate regalia by the specified deadlines.

Register to Attend

Diploma Information

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