Diplomas are produced for all individuals upon whom a degree is conferred provided a diploma application has been filed. Diploma applications should be submitted in Cardinal Students prior to the posted deadline each term.
The diploma is awarded under the student’s name of record in the format submitted by the student on the diploma application. The student’s name of record includes first name, middle initial or full middle name, and the family name. Nicknames may not be used. Students with a legal basis for a name change may submit a request for a change to their name of record; however, such requests should be submitted prior to the degree conferral date. The university is under no obligation to record a change of name for students who are not currently enrolled, including those who have graduated, and will not do so without a court order.
Diplomas will bear the name of the degree but not the name of the student's major(s) or minor(s).
Diplomas for Spring graduates will be presented at the May commencement ceremony. Diplomas for students excused from attending the commencement ceremony will be mailed on or after the degree conferral date. The degree conferral date for students completing degree requirements in the Spring term is the date of the commencement ceremony. If a diploma mailing address is entered when the diploma application is filed, the diploma will be mailed to that address; if no diploma mailing address is submitted the diploma will be mailed to the home address on record.
Diplomas for Summer and Fall graduates will be mailed shortly after the degree conferral date. The degree conferral date for students completing degree requirements in the Summer term is the first Saturday prior to the start of the subsequent Fall semester. The degree conferral date for students students completing degree requirements in the Fall term is the first Saturday prior to the start of the subsequent Spring semester. Because the summer and fall conferral dates fall just prior to the start of the subsequent semester, diplomas for graduates in those terms are not able to be mailed immediately; however, degree conferral will appear on the academic transcript as of the conferral date.
A graduating student who has an outstanding obligation with any department of the university will not receive a diploma until such obligation is satisfied in full.
Replacement Diplomas
Requests for issuance of replacement diplomas will be honored only upon submission by the student of 1) a statement that the original has been lost, stolen or destroyed and 2) payment of the diploma replacement fee. The statement should be mailed to:
The Catholic University of America
Office of Enrollment Services
Attn: Diploma Replacement
620 Michigan Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20064
Requests for a replacement diploma should include as much of the following information as possible:
- name of record at time of graduation
- date of birth
- years of attendance
- degree earned
- current contact information
- current mailing address
Replacement diplomas are printed with the student's name of record at the time of graduation. The university is under no obligation to record a change of name for students who are not currently enrolled, including those who have graduated, and will not do so without a court order.
Diploma Authentication
Information on diploma authentication is available here.