Last update: January 2025
Students are eligible to graduate from TUJ once they have completed all of their degree requirements, including university, college, and major requirements. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisors to ensure academic program requirements are being met.
The following checklist details the steps and timelines for graduation.
If students have any questions regarding the graduation procedure, they should contact their academic advisor or the Academic Advising Center (aac@tuj.temple.edu).
Graduation Checklist
1. Schedule a Graduation Review with your Academic Advisor
Timeline: upon completion of 80 credits (including transfer credits)
Upon completion of 80 semester hours including transfer credits, bachelor's degree candidates (40 credits for associate's degree candidates) should request graduation review with an academic advisor from the Academic Advising Center to determine whether they are meeting the university, college, and major requirements for their degree.
In the graduation review appointment, students will be informed of the outstanding requirements they must complete to graduate. Students who choose not to meet an advisor will assume full responsibility for errors and absence of relevant information which may impact their graduation eligibility.
2. Submit the Graduation Application
Timeline: One semester prior to your graduating semester (e.g. during Fall semester for a Spring graduation)
Students must submit the Application for Graduation (PDF) through Self-Service Banner (SSB) by the following deadlines, also listed on the academic calendar:
- November 30th for Spring graduation
- April 30th for Summer graduation
- July 31st for Fall graduation
Students who have submitted their graduation application before the deadline will receive a Graduation Preview email before the start of their graduating semester. This email will indicate whether a student is on track to graduate or if there are required courses missing from their registration. It is the responsibility of students to check this email and revise their course registration accordingly, if necessary.
If a student misses the graduation application deadline, they should contact their academic advisor immediately to submit a paper application. Students who submit late graduation applications may not receive a Graduation Preview email.
Students who have TUJ-Sponsored Student Visas
There are specific student visa policies related to graduation. Students with a TUJ-sponsored visa should read this website regarding graduation BEFORE applying for graduation.
TUJ cannot sponsor students' visa once they have finished their studies at TUJ. However, students may be able to stay in Japan if they switch to another visa status or find another sponsor.
Students who are Fly 2 Philly Participants in their Final Semester
Students who are participating in the Fly 2 Philly program at Main Campus in their final semester have different application deadlines. Students should let their academic advisor know their intention to graduate at the end of their Fly 2 Philly semester and submit a graduation application per the Main Campus deadlines . Academic advisors at TUJ and Main Campus will work together to review and clear the student for graduation.
If students are at Main Campus and graduating in the Spring semester, it may be possible to participate in the Main Campus Commencement ceremony. Students can only participate in one Temple Commencement ceremony, either in Philadelphia or Japan. Students can ask their academic advisor for details.
Students who are eligible for Latin Honors or Distinction in their Major
Academic advisors also review candidates’ records for Latin Honors . To be eligible for Latin Honors, at least 60 credits must be completed at Temple University, and the final cumulative GPA must meet the qualifying standards.
Some majors at Temple offer students the opportunity to earn distinction in their major. At TUJ, the following majors offer this opportunity: Asian Studies, Computer Science, Economics, International Affairs and Political Science. To learn more about distinction in the major, please speak with your faculty or academic advisor.
Students who want to petition to attend Commencement as non-graduates
Students who meet eligibility requirements may appeal for permission to participate in Commencement activities as non-graduates by submitting a digital petition form . This is informally known as “Early Walk.” The submission form for this petition opens at the start of the Spring semester.
Eligible students must be within 2 courses or 8 credit hours of meeting their degree requirements or receive special permission from the Dean’s Office. Students not currently meeting GPA requirements for graduation must demonstrate they will be able to meet this requirement within their remaining credit hours. Courses with Incomplete grades will not count as completed credits.
Progress toward degree requirements will be verified by the Academic Advising Center upon submission of the petition.
The deadline for the petition is indicated on the Spring semester academic calendar. Students will receive a timely decision about their petition upon submission and are encouraged to submit the petition in advance of the deadline.
3. Prepare for the Commencement ceremony
Timeline: Variable by semester
TUJ’s Commencement (graduation) ceremony is typically held once a year in the middle of May. The exact date, time, and location will be posted on TUJ's website. Successful graduates from Summer and Fall semesters and Spring graduation candidates will receive the invitation to Commencement from the TUJ Dean's Office, typically in March.
Students should pay attention to deadlines for regalia (e.g. Commencement cap and gown) and RSVPs.
Applying to graduate does not automatically register a student to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students who have applied to graduate must register to participate in the commencement ceremony if they wish to attend.
4. Review Your Student Account for any Outstanding Holds
Timeline: At least two weeks prior to the end of your graduating semester
Students must clear all outstanding balances in their tuition account and must return all items to the library in order to receive their diploma. Students should check their account to make sure any holds are removed at least two weeks prior to the end of your graduating semester. To find out if your account has any outstanding holds, check TU Portal > Student Tools (top tab) > Records (middle right side) > View Holds
Students may not be able to request official documents (e.g. transcripts, diploma) if there is a hold on the account.
5. Check Your Diploma Name
Timeline: By the end of your graduating semester
The name appearing on your official diploma will be your legal name listed on the official academic record. If the legal name needs to be changed, follow these instructions to update your record. For questions regarding Name Changes, please contact TUJ’s Registrar's Office at tujregistrar@tuj.temple.edu.
6. Receive Your Diploma
Timeline: Four to six weeks after degree completion is confirmed
Students who are academically cleared for graduation, and do not have holds on their student record, will be contacted via email with information about how to obtain their digital diploma and/or request a print diploma.
For questions or concerns about the status of a diploma, please view the Office of the University Registrar webpage . This website also provides a timeline for diploma issuance.
* All diplomas are issued from Temple Main Campus, so TUJ offices are not able to respond to any queries concerning diploma issuance. Please view the Office of the University Registrar webpage for details.