In Anticipation Of Finishing Your Degree

• Review your degree requirements with your academic counselor
• Verify the degree requirements and graduation deadline

Graduation Clearance Procedure

Students may request a graduation clearance letter by submitting a Graduation Clearance form to the Office of Student Records or to an academic counselor if you are within 9 credits or 90 days prior to your expected completion date. Please allow 48 hours for processing. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic counselor to review remaining requirements and make arrangements for capstone courses.

Graduation Deadlines

All Western International University (West) students are expected to complete their programs within a reasonable time frame. The following timelines have been determined as reasonable for completion:

• Associate of Arts degree: 5 years from start of program
• Bachelor degree: 8 years from start of program
• Master degree: 6 years from start of program
• Certificate: 3 years from start of program

If you leave the University and return as a reentry student, your time away will not be counted against graduation deadlines.

Commencement Ceremony

The West commencement ceremony is held once a year in the early summer, in Phoenix, AZ. Notification is sent out through MyWest to all students who have completed their degrees or who are within 9 credits of degree completion at the time of the ceremony. Students may sign up for the commencement ceremony before the enrollment deadline (usually 2 months before the ceremony) through MyWest or by contacting the Office of Student Records. Students may participate in only one ceremony per degree earned. Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional.

Honors are recognized at the ceremony for those undergraduate students who have met the academic requirements and completed their degrees a minimum of 60 days prior to the ceremony.

Diploma Request Procedure

Please click here for information about requesting your diploma.