Weeks 1–2: Apply to Graduate
Your action:
Submit your Application for Graduation.
Weeks 2–10 (Weeks 2–5 for Fast Track): Preliminary Review
What Happens:
Your Action: Continue progressing toward successful completion of all requirements.
Weeks 7–10 (Weeks 5–7 for Fast Track): Graduation Status Email
What Happens:
Your Action:
Weeks 6–9: Ceremony RSVP & Regalia (If Participating)
What Happens:
Your Action:
Around Week 12: Ceremony Instructions
What Happens:
Your Action:
End of Semester: Complete All Requirements
Your Action:
1–3 Days After Conferral: Official Transcripts Available
What Happens:
6–8 Weeks After Semester Ends: Diploma Mailed
What Happens:
Your Action:
What is a Hooding and Commencement Ceremony?
The Hooding and Commencement Ceremony is a formal academic celebration recognizing
the completion of graduate-level study at Radford University. This is the graduation
ceremony for graduate students.
During the ceremony, candidates are individually recognized, cross the stage, and
are ceremonially hooded by a faculty member chosen by the student. The hooding represents
the conferral of an advanced degree and signifies the transition from student to graduate
scholar. While participation honors your academic achievement, degree conferral is
finalized separately after all academic requirements have been verified (see “Degree
Conferral” section below).
Who is allowed to hood me?
At the hooding and commencement ceremony, the act of hooding a graduating student
is a special tradition reserved for Radford University faculty members. Exceptions
may be made for staff members who have served in a teaching capacity while the graduating
student was enrolled.
The faculty hooder must hold an equal or higher degree than the degree being conferred
to the student.
What if I want to walk in a ceremony during a different term from when I am finishing
degree requirements?
You may participate in a ceremony in a different term only if one of the following
conditions are met:
Is there a limit to the number of guests I can bring?
There is no limit on the number of guests for the Graduate Ceremony.
Do I need tickets for my guests?
No tickets are required for the Graduate Ceremony.
Are there honor cords for a certain GPA?
There are no honor cords or honors designations at the graduate level.
Any additional cords are granted directly by the relevant academic department or university
office.
How do I order my cap and gown?
Regalia may be purchased at the Radford University Bookstore or ordered online: https://oakhallcg.com/pages/radford
How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony typically lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
What time do I need to arrive?
Graduates should arrive no later than 4:00 p.m. for line-up and check-in instructions.
How do I know which hood to order?
Hood colors are determined by degree type and academic discipline:
When will my degree be conferred?
Final academic checks are completed by the Registrar’s Office. Degrees are conferred
during the weeks following the end of the semester.
I walked in the ceremony — doesn’t that mean I graduated?
Participation in the ceremony does not guarantee degree conferral.
You must meet all academic requirements and satisfy all degree conditions to officially
graduate and have your degree conferred.
When will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are mailed approximately 6–8 weeks after the end of the semester in which
degree requirements are completed.
The Registrar’s Office is responsible for verifying completion, posting the awarded
degree to your transcript, and issuing diplomas.
How do I obtain proof of my degree for employment purposes?
You may request official transcripts through OneCampus. Select “Hold for Degree” so
the transcript is issued after your degree has been officially conferred. Official
transcripts are processed and delivered much more quickly than diplomas and are typically
what employers and other institutions require as formal verification of degree completion.
Will I be notified when my degree is conferred?
Your Degree Audit, accessible through OneCampus, will reflect the updated status once
your degree is awarded.
Log into OneCampus and navigate to:
Categories → Academics → Degree Audit Responsive Dashboard
The most reliable way to confirm conferral is to request official transcripts using
the “Hold for Degree” option.
You may also contact the Office of Graduate Affairs or the Registrar’s Office from
your Radford email account for assistance.
How can I confirm that I have fulfilled all degree requirements?
Your Degree Audit, accessible through OneCampus, will reflect the status of your degree
requirements.
Log into OneCampus and navigate to:
Categories → Academics → Degree Audit Responsive Dashboard
If you have questions or believe there is an error in your audit, contact the Office
of Graduate Affairs for review.