Graduation
General Graduation Requirements
Seniors: Did you know you must apply to graduate? An Application for Graduation must be submitted through Workday by the deadlines below. Follow these instructions for more information on how to apply.
- December application deadline: September 1
- May application deadline: December 15
- August application deadline: May 30
Along with satisfying core requirements, students must satisfy one of the following options along with a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation:
- A single major
- A single major and a minor
- A single major and a double minor
- A single major and a triple minor (minimum 135 credit hours)
- A double major
- A double major and a minor (minimum 135 credit hours)
Once an application has been submitted, if for any reason the term you plan to graduate needs to be changed, please follow these instructions to revise your graduation application.
Graduation Distinctions (Latin Honors)
Graduation distinctions are determined by the grade-point average (GPA) system and are based entirely on grades earned in Wake Forest courses.
Effective for the Class of 2024 and forward: The candidate for a degree with distinction must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA), based on all grades earned in Wake Forest courses, sufficient to place the candidate in the top 30 percent of their graduating class, with the honors awarded at the following specific percentage cut offs:
- Top 5% are to be awarded the distinction of summa cum laude
- a cumulative GPA of 3.956 for Class of 2025
- Next 10% are to be awarded the distinction of magna cum laude
- a cumulative GPA of 3.886 for Class of 2025
- Next 15% are to be awarded the distinction of cum laude
- a cumulative GPA of 3.797 for Class of 2025
Percentages are calculated on the basis of those degree candidates for May (gpa cut-offs for May candidates will be in-effect for the following August and December degree candidates). Cumulative GPAs will be calculated to three decimal places and truncated without rounding.
Commencement
The University conducts one Commencement Ceremony each year in May. Students who have earned their degree the previous August or December are invited to participate in the May ceremony following their graduation. For information about Commencement visit the Commencement website.
Preferred Name on Diploma
Starting with the Spring 2021 graduating class, WFU students will have the option to choose to have their preferred name printed on their diploma. While completing your graduation application in Workday, please update the ‘Diploma Name’ field to reflect exactly how you want your name to appear on your diploma. Be mindful if your preferred name differs from your legal name there are a few things that could be an issue in the future:
- Apostille – diploma apostille can only be provided when using your full legal name.
- Degree Verification – third parties using a preferred diploma name will not be able to verify your degree through the National Student Clearinghouse using that name. Enrollment and degree verifications are provided using your full legal name.
- Planning to live or work abroad – some countries require your diploma for various legal, immigration, and employment purposes. Choosing to print your preferred name on your diploma may result in complications due to the discrepancy between your diploma name and other documents that contain your full legal name.
- Professional Licensing – licensing requirements require you to use your full legal name. Using your preferred name on your diploma may result in complications or delay (requiring additional proof of identification.
If you decide to change your diploma name back to your legal name after graduation (any time in the future), please note that you will be required to request and pay for a duplicate diploma