{"id":332,"date":"2025-11-24T21:21:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T21:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.dev.www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/?page_id=332"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:45:35","slug":"eligibility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/graduates\/eligibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-banner purdue-home-teritary-hero \">\n            <div class=\"image\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Academic advisors meeting with students and a laptop\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/commencement\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2024_GMB5838_GRADUATES_Eligibility_hero_1920.jpg\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"section has-image-background has-padding-top-large has-padding-bottom-large \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <h1 class=\"second-level-page-heading purdue-home-teritary-hero__header\"><strong>Eligibility for Commencement<\/strong><\/h1>\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-teritary-hero__content\">\n                \n\n<p>Ready to take your next giant leap?&nbsp;Confirming&nbsp;your eligibility for commencement&nbsp;is the first step to&nbsp;ensure everything is set before the big day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in commencement, you must be officially recognized as a&nbsp;candidate&nbsp;for the term in which you plan to graduate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"section  page-layout-wide\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Undergraduate and Professional Students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;an undergraduate or professional student in the College of Veterinary Medicine or the College of Pharmacy,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;eligible to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in commencement once you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apply&nbsp;to graduate by the deadline listed in&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/mypurdue.purdue.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">myPurdue<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm&nbsp;your&nbsp;degree&nbsp;progress with your academic advisor or college candidate coordinator.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appear on your&nbsp;college\u2019s&nbsp;candidate roster&nbsp;for the term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you apply, a&nbsp;<em>Commencement&nbsp;<\/em>link appears in your&nbsp;myPurdue&nbsp;portal during your graduation term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;meet your degree requirements in time, email&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:commencement@purdue.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commencement@purdue.edu<\/a>&nbsp;(copy your advisor) to have your application removed.&nbsp;You\u2019ll&nbsp;need to reapply for the next term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"purdue-accordion-wrap  purdue-accordion-wrap--small\">\n    <div class=\"section has-none-background has-padding-top-small has-padding-bottom-small\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-accordion\">\n                <h3 class=\"accordion__heading purdue-accordion__title  purdue-accordion__title--small\" id=\"title-863b712c-8032-4d30-8a04-ff23580c1415\">\n                    <button aria-controls=\"content-863b712c-8032-4d30-8a04-ff23580c1415\" aria-expanded=\"false\">How to Apply to Graduate: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/button>\n                <\/h3>\n                <div class=\"accordion__content purdue-accordion__content\" id=\"content-863b712c-8032-4d30-8a04-ff23580c1415\" hidden aria-hidden=\n                \"true\">\n                    \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p>After you have met with your advisor to confirm your plan to complete your degree requirements for your final year, you can apply to graduate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Access the Graduation Application<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Log in to your&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/mypurdue.purdue.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">myPurdue<\/a>&nbsp;and select the Academics tab.&nbsp;In the Destination Graduation card, you will select&nbsp;<em>Apply to Graduate<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Review the terms and deadlines listed on this page before proceeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2: Select Your Enrollment Term<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You will be prompted to select a term. <strong>This is not the term you wish to graduate.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Select the most recent term in which you were enrolled in the degree-seeking program for which you plan to earn a degree. Select the term and hit <strong>Submit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 3: Review Your Curriculum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A Curriculum Selection page will appear. Review all information carefully before continuing. Confirm that your degree program, level (undergraduate\/graduate), college, campus, and major are correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If anything is incorrect, <strong>do not continue.<\/strong> Contact your academic advisor right away to update your curriculum. Once corrections are made, return to apply for graduation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have more than one active degree program listed, you will see multiple options. Select one at a time, starting with your highest degree first. For example, if you are pursuing a bachelor&#8217;s degree and a certificate, select the bachelor&#8217;s degree first. You must then go back and submit a separate application for each additional program or certificate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If all information is accurate, including any minors, select <strong>Continue.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 4: Select Your Graduation Date<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The next screen will ask you to select the term in which you plan to complete your requirements and graduate. Choose your graduation term from the dropdown menu and select <strong>Continue.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note for students with multiple majors:<\/strong> Students with multiple majors attend only one commencement ceremony. The first major you select during the graduation application process determines which commencement ceremony you will attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 5: Review and Submit<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A Graduation Application Summary will display your selected graduation date, term, curriculum, degree program, level, college, campus, and major. Review all information one final time for accuracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If everything is correct, select <strong>Submit Request.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"section has-gold-background  page-layout-wide\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who can apply to graduate?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply once you reach your second semester of junior year (classification 6 or higher), or if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;in Veterinary Nursing (AAS),&nbsp;Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs (P3 or P4 classification).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do you have&nbsp;more than one major?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If both majors are in the same college,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;receive one degree with both majors listed on your transcript. If your majors span two colleges,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;submit&nbsp;two separate graduation applications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I apply if I have a hold on my record?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some holds prevent you from&nbsp;submitting&nbsp;your application. Resolve any active holds before applying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  id=\"distinction\" class=\"section  page-layout-wide\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Graduating&nbsp;with&nbsp;Distinction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Purdue celebrates exceptional academic achievement with&nbsp;Distinction&nbsp;and&nbsp;Highest Distinction&nbsp;honors at commencement.&nbsp;Honors are based on your final&nbsp;cumulative GPA&nbsp;and your&nbsp;class ranking within your college or school.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The preliminary GPA thresholds for&nbsp;<strong>May 2026 graduates<\/strong> are included below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Degree Type<\/th><th><strong>Distinction<\/strong>*<\/th><th><strong>Highest Distinction<\/strong>**<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Associate degrees<\/td><td>3.95<\/td><td>3.99<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Agriculture<\/td><td>3.90<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Education<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Engineering<\/td><td>3.89<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Health and Human Sciences<\/td><td>3.93<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Liberal Arts<\/td><td>3.93<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Daniels School of Business<\/td><td>3.85<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pharmacy<\/td><td>3.82<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Purdue Polytechnic<\/td><td>3.88<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Science<\/td><td>3.95<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Veterinary Nursing<\/td><td>3.79<\/td><td>3.98<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Doctor of Veterinary Medicine<\/td><td>3.90<\/td><td>4.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Doctor of Pharmacy<\/td><td>3.93<\/td><td>4.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>*<strong>Distinction<\/strong>&nbsp;represents&nbsp;the top 10% in each college or school based on the GPA threshold noted for each degree type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**<strong>Highest Distinction<\/strong>&nbsp;recognizes the top 30% of&nbsp;graduates who qualify for Distinction.&nbsp;The GPA threshold for Highest Distinction is 3.74 for associate degrees and 3.98 for all other degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section has-gray-background  page-layout-wide\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Have&nbsp;Questions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have questions about your eligibility or degree progress, connect with your:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Academic advisor<\/strong>&nbsp;(undergraduates and professional students)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major professor or Graduate Registration Contact<\/strong>&nbsp;(graduate students)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-strap purdue-home-cta-strap--narrow \">\n    <div class=\"section has-gold-background\">\n        <div class=\"container has-gold-background purdue-home-cta-strap__container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-strap__container--left\">\n                            <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-strap__subTitle\">\n                    <strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong>            <\/h2>\n                            <p class=\"purdue-home-cta-strap__content\">Once your eligibility is confirmed,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0ready for the next step \u2014\u00a0registering for commencement\u00a0and preparing for your big day.\u00a0<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-strap__container--right\">\n                                                    <a class=\"purdue-home-button purdue-home-button--black\" href=\"\/commencement\/graduates\/your-commencement-timeline\/\"  target=\"_blank\">Explore<\/a>\n                            <\/div>  \n        <\/div>\n    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