Graduation

• Completing a graduation application is a critical step to receiving your diploma. This application serves as the Department’s recommendation to the University for you to earn your degree. If this is not completed, students cannot earn their degree.
• Completing this application helps students to get Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) Registration: Once you have completed a Graduation Application, you will be updated to Graduating Senior Priority for Registration. Students using their GSP for two quarters will revert to regular senior priority–timing can be important. See for more information on GSP.
• The graduation application must be verified with an academic adviser, so this process helps you confirm that you will meet degree requirements with a reasonable quarterly schedule.

NOTE: Students who plan to double major or double degree must submit a second Graduation Application with their other departmental adviser and graduate with both undergraduate majors in the same quarter.

A Graduation Application must be verified with an academic adviser. It serves as the department’s recommendation to the university for you to earn your degree. Your degree is ultimately granted by the UW Office of Graduation & Academic Records (UW Office of the Registrar). If you will graduate with a double major or a double degree, you must also submit a second Graduation Application with your other department(s).

“Graduation Application” is also referred to as:

• “Applying to Graduate”
• “Graduation Paperwork”
• “Application for Graduation with Your Departmental Adviser”

Not sure if you’ve already applied to graduate?

• Check a brand new MyPlan Degree Audit and see if there is a “Graduation Date” listed for you (e.g. AUT 202X, WIN 202X, SPR 202X, etc.). If the “Graduation Date” says “Not Found”, then you likely have yet to submit a Graduation Application.
• If you have a graduation date listed, you have successfully submitted your Graduation Application.

Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) allows students to register for classes on the first day of Period I. Students are eligible for a maximum of two-quarters of GSP.  Academic Calendar > Registration Deadlines > Registration Period 1

Students will receive the GSP designation within 1-2 days of successfully confirming their Graduation Application.

After a student has used two-quarters of GSP, their registration priority will revert to regular senior priority.  GSP does not need to be used in consecutive quarters. You can save your GSP by registering during regular senior registration. 

Tip:  Don’t register too soon if you’re trying to save a GSP quarter. Registering a moment before 6 a.m. (Pacific Time) will count as using your GSP quarter on your regular senior registration day.

• Quarterly Graduation Application deadline: THIRD Friday of the quarter you intend to graduate. 
• Up to 3 quarters before your graduation quarter (for example, apply in autumn to graduate in spring). Quarterly deadlines are posted on UW’s Academic Calendar.
  • Note: If you are graduating in the summer quarter but want to participate in the spring commencement before graduating, you must apply by the third Friday of that spring quarter.
• See GSP Registration above.

The Graduation & Records Office (ugradoff@uw.edu) will email you with the subject line: PLEASE CONFIRM—Your Application To Graduate the same day the JSIS Advising Office submits your Graduation Application. Read this email carefully for important details, and confirm your Graduation Application as soon as possible, but no later than seven days.

Tip: Check your spam/junk folder. 

Once the student has successfully confirmed their JSIS major Graduation Application, they will receive the following notification: Thank you! We have received your confirmation.

If you would like to change your graduation quarter, contact: jsisadv@uw.edu. You may also need to make an Undergraduate Student Advising Appointment. 

To graduate with a baccalaureate degree, students must complete at least 45 of the last 60 credits “in residence” or at the UW. Residence credits are UW credits earned through the campus granting the degree. See the UW Residence Credit policy for details.

See University Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree for additional information.

International Students are highly encouraged to refer to the ISS Final Year Checklist or check in with their advisers at International Student Services. They can provide helpful information, especially regarding requirements and suggestions, as you approach your final quarter at the UW.

For information and advice on inviting family and friends to visit the U.S., see here.

Jackson School students and their families and friends are invited to the Spring JSIS Convocation (JSIS Graduation Celebration) each June. This celebration will include a ceremony, keynote speaker, department awards, and presentation of the graduates. Click here for details about the JSIS Spring Convocation.

Registration for the JSIS Spring Convocation and UW Commencement will begin in May.

• JSIS Graduate Checklist for Convocation

• JSIS Convocation – Additional Information

Visit the UW Commencement website for information about the Commencement Ceremony, which occurs each June. On this site, you will find event information, including guest tickets, eligibility, ordering announcements and photos, purchasing parking permits, etc.

You may complete your degree in any quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring, or Summer). Commencement and other graduation celebrations take place each June. Graduates from the previous Summer, Autumn, or Winter, or students who have applied to graduate for the current Spring or following Summer, may participate in the Commencement (and other graduation celebrations) in June. Click here for a helpful checklist, and click here for eligibility information.

The first indication of your earned degree will appear on your transcript. Degrees are posted to your transcript by the UW Office of Graduation & Academic Records approximately 2-3 weeks after the end of the quarter upon verification that you have completed all requirements.

How to Check? See “my.uw.edu” > “UW Resources” > “Academic Resources” > “Grades & Transcripts” > “Unofficial Transcript”

Need an Official Transcript? See here for details.

Diplomas arrive in the mail in 3-4 months. The Office of the University Registrar sends them. Please be sure to check your MyUW address settings to ensure that your diploma arrives at the correct address. See here for more details on UW Diplomas.

Prospective employers, graduate programs, and others who require verification that you’ve earned your degree can access this information through the UW Degree Certification website.

After a student has earned their UW degree, the “Graduation Date” on the Degree Audit will return to “not found.” This is considered normal, as the degree will have already been posted to the student’s transcript, making the Degree Audit irrelevant.

Additional information on the Office of the University Registrar’s website for Graduation, Commencement, & Diplomas

All undergraduate students can reference this UW Undergraduate check-list to prepare for graduation:

https://www.washington.edu/students/graduation-checklist/

Baccalaureate Honors are Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. These honors are awarded upon graduation to undergraduates earning their first bachelor’s degree with at least 90 credits taken at UW.  Of these 90 credits, 60 must be numerically graded (extension credits do not count toward these 60 credits). These honors awards are unrelated to the Departmental or College Honors Programs. They also represent the top 10% of students in each UW’s schools and colleges.

Students graduating with Baccalaureate Honors may wear a gold honor cord for the UW Commencement Ceremony and other celebrations. For students graduating in the spring, the honors listed in the Commencement Program are based on the student’s cumulative GPA through the preceding Winter Quarter. Spring Quarter grades are ultimately included in the credit totals and GPA calculations, determining whether the honors are posted to the student’s final record. You can find more information about baccalaureate honors, the Dean’s list, and other honors societies on the UW Baccalaureate Honors site.

JSIS students who have demonstrated high scholarship in the Jackson School of International Studies by completing the Jackson School Honors Program will graduate with Departmental Honors. Students who completed Jackson School honors have completed the following:

• JSIS 300: Claims & Evidence (prerequisite for JSIS Honors)
• Applied and completed the JSIS Honors Application
• JSIS 491: Senior Honor Seminar (Autumn Quarter of Senior Year)
• JSIS 492: Senior Honor Seminar (Winter Quarter of Senior Year)
• Completed and submitted thesis in the Spring Quarter of Senior Year (~30-page research paper/in-depth research project)

All students who complete Jackson School Honors maintain at least a UW cumulative GPA of 3.30 and a Departmental GPA of 3.5.

There are many resources available for UW and JSIS students.

Available to current Jackson School majors and Alum: Career Coaching Appointments

Take advantage of the UW Career & Internship Center, which offers help in job-hunting skills, career planning, and more!

Handshake is the UW’s primary resource for job searches, recruiting, on-campus workshops, and opportunities to network with employers. Current students and alumni are welcome to utilize Handshake. For more information, see the Handshake website and log in with your UW Net ID.

Are you thinking about graduate school? The UW Graduate School offers a great course, Preparing for Graduate Education (GRDSCH 200), which can help students explore the application process, understand the purpose of graduate education, and access helpful resources.  This course is offered almost every quarter.

If you are thinking about applying to Graduate School here at the Jackson School, then reach out to jsisma@uw.edu for specific questions or inquire about one of our MA programs directly to learn more:

Request Graduate Program Information!

You may also want to start thinking about obtaining Letters of Recommendation and any future references that you may need down the road for jobs & graduate schools. Here are some helpful suggestions on how to start:

• How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation
• Letters of Recommendation: Tips & Advice from the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, & Awards

Join the UW, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies Group & the UW Alumni Group on LinkedIn!

The UW Alumni Association is a network of over 50,000 alumni Huskies, with chapters and regional groups all over the country and the world! The UWAA offers a complimentary one-year membership to its most recent alumni, numerous opportunities to network with fellow Huskies and alumni services such as library access and a UW alumni email account.

• Alumni Email & Cloud services update: What happens to my “@uw.edu” email?

During your final quarter, JSIS Advising will request that you complete a Graduating Senior Exit Survey for the Jackson School. The survey results will help the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies assess its services. Your participation is highly encouraged and greatly appreciated.