Decoding Your Cornell University Diploma: A Comprehensive Guide

Earning a degree from Cornell University is a significant achievement, culminating years of hard work and dedication. The diploma itself is a symbol of this accomplishment, and understanding its details, along with the processes surrounding graduation and degree verification, is essential for every Cornell graduate. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Cornell University diplomas, covering everything from the diploma's physical attributes to degree verification and honors distinctions.

The Cornell University Diploma: A Symbol of Achievement

Your Cornell University diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it's a tangible representation of your academic journey and success. The diploma design reflects the university's prestige and commitment to quality.

Diploma Features

The Cornell University diploma boasts several distinctive features:

School Name and Official Seal: The school name and official seal are gold embossed on black museum-quality matting.
Frame (Optional): Many graduates choose to frame their diplomas. A popular option features Studio moulding crafted of solid hardwood with a deep mahogany furniture finish. This frame typically fits a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degree (diplomas issued 1993-present).
Dimensions: The document size is 14" wide x 11" high, with an approximate overall frame size of 21.3" wide x 18.3" high.
Easy Access: The back of the frames are removable so you can easily insert your diploma document.
Hanging System: Includes easy-to-use Level-Lock Frame Hanging System.
Packaging: Ships in a branded SMARTbox package.
Handcrafted: Each custom frame is handcrafted in the USA and made-to-order.
Frame Quality: Milled with the same exacting quality standards as the Classic line, the Petite line offers a lower-price option. Though similar to the Classic and Satin lines, the Petite profile is 1" wide and will appeal to those looking for a narrower moulding in more of a value-priced frame.
Glass: This frame includes premium clear standard glass that blocks up to 45% of UV light, allows over 90% of light transmission and less than 8% light reflection.
Mounting: You also get a wall mounting kit that comes with your frame package.

Degree Verification and Enrollment Certification

The Office of the University Registrar plays a crucial role in certifying student enrollment and degrees.

Responsibilities of the University Registrar

The Office of the University Registrar maintains both past and present student records, but cannot verify future enrollment.
Cornell University utilizes the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to offer students verification services and the ability to print their own certifications.
For more information, visit Cornell CIT.
Attendance prior to Spring 2009: Request certification here. There is a small fee for each request.
Office Hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am-1pm, 2pm-4pm (subject to change for holidays and circumstances).

Third-Party Verification

Cornell University utilizes the National Student Clearinghouse for enrollment and degree verifications for third-party requesters.

Applying for Graduation

The graduation process begins well before the actual ceremony. Understanding the application timeline and requirements is essential for a smooth transition to alumni status.

Read also: Immersive Pre-College Experience

Graduation Application Timeline

Students apply to graduate during their penultimate semester of study.
If you are on a typical schedule and graduating in the spring, your application deadline will be during the previous fall semester.

Application Guidelines

Part I: College Requirements: Fill out and submit Part I: College Requirements. This includes your DUST (Distributed Undergraduate Student Tracking) report and a chart of all of the courses and credits you have taken, term by term and in total. You need to answer a series of questions about the fulfillment of other college requirements. You can also monitor your progress toward meeting your college degree requirements by checking your DUST (Distributed Undergraduate Student Tracking) report. The DUST report is updated soon after the end of each semester.
Part II: Major Requirements: Work with your faculty advisor to fill out Part II: Major Requirements. If you have more than one major, you must meet with each major advisor to fill out a Part II for each major. External transfer students and students who have studied abroad should take transcripts of their non-Cornell courses to their advisor meeting(s).
Advising Dean Appointment: Schedule an Appointment with Your Advising Dean. To prepare for that appointment, put together a list of courses you have taken for the major.

Early Graduation and Extended Study

You may elect to graduate early if you are able to complete all graduation requirements in fewer than eight semesters.
You must still satisfy the college’s residency requirement as part of the graduation requirements.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is expected to be completed in eight terms. If degree requirements cannot be completed in eight terms, students may seek permission to continue their studies.
Requests will only be granted for students who have found themselves in emergent circumstances beyond their control which have prevented them from completing the degree in eight terms.
Study beyond the eighth term is not automatically granted for the purposes of changing a major. Such requests should be discussed with a college academic advisor and require registrar approval.
To request a 9th term, students must first have their faculty advisor update Part II detailing any remaining major requirements. Next they will need to submit a study plan to their college advisor listing the specific courses that will meet degree requirements for one major.
If approved, students in the 9th and 10th term will be in a conditional status and will have restrictions placed on their enrollment to ensure successful completion of their degree.
Students may elect to prorate credits if enrolling in 9 or fewer credits or take a full-time load if they desire. However, enrollment will be limited to 18 credits for the term so students can focus on their remaining required courses.
Students needing to enroll in a 10th term to complete their degree will be required to prorate tuition and their enrollment will be limited to only the courses/credits needed for successful completion of one major.

Academic Honors

Cornell University recognizes outstanding academic achievement through various honors designations.

Latin Honors

Notice: beginning with the December 2026 conferral date, Cornell University will institute a standardized Latin Honors system based solely on final cumulative undergraduate GPA.
The Latin Honors categories include: Summa Cum Laude (top 5%), Magna Cum Laude (next 10%), and Cum Laude (next 15%).
The student's cumulative undergraduate GPA percentile at the time of degree conferral will be computed with respect to the student's particular college.
Existing college-specific Latin Honors systems not based upon the new standardized criteria will be discontinued at the end of Summer 2026. This will apply to all major honors in Arts & Sciences as they will no longer use Latin Honors and will award “Honors in X” (e.g. Honors in Chemistry, Honors in English, etc.) Please see Graduation and Academic Honors for more information.

Bachelor of Arts with Honors

Almost all departments offer honors programs for students who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishment in the major and succeeded in research.
The conferring of honors, and the requirements for conferral (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) are set by the departments for each major, the Independent Major Program, or the College Scholar Program.
Minors do not offer honors programs.
Students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies with questions about honors in the respective program.

Bachelor of Arts with Distinction

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with distinction in all subjects will be conferred on students who have completed the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, if they have met the following requirements by the end of their final semester:

completed at least 60 credits while registered in regular sessions at Cornell;
achieved a GPA in the upper 30 percent of their class at the end of the seventh semester, or next-to-last semester for transfers and accelerants;
received a grade below C- in no more than one course;
received no failing grade (excluding PE);
have no frozen Incompletes on their records; and
maintained good academic standing, including completing a full schedule of at least 12 academic credits, in each of their last four semesters.

Diploma Details and Ordering

Understanding the specifics of your diploma, including name display and ordering processes, is important. Undergraduate degrees are conferred by the college. Graduate degrees are conferred by the Graduate School. Once conferrals are complete, the Office of the University Registrar orders the diploma.

Name on Diploma

Your Primary Name on your academic record will appear on your diploma, unless you specify a Diploma Name.
Your Diploma Name is a preferred name you choose for your diploma.
Your request will be reviewed and you will be notified when it is processed.
International students need to be aware of the implications of having diploma with a different name from their official student record.
Review your Primary Name in Student Center. If you wish to correct your Primary Name you must do so prior to your degree date.

Diploma Delivery and Format

All diplomas are sent via the United States Postal Service.
Majors appear on the official transcript. Minors and concentrations are added to the transcript at the time of degree conferral.
Majors are not printed on the diploma unless honors are awarded in the major.
eDiplomas are an electronic version of the paper diploma. They cannot be printed. However, you can provide the PDF as confirmation of the completion of degree.
The eDiploma is a certified PDF of your diploma. You will receive your eDiploma when your diploma is ordered, after your degree is conferred.
For alumni, an eDiploma can be ordered for a one-time charge of $5. A Secure ID is required to order your eDiploma, however if you do not have your Secure ID, you may request one at Michael Sutter, by choosing the Request Secure ID button.

Diploma Holds and Reissues

Your diploma will not be ordered if a diploma hold has been placed on your record.
A preferred name may be chosen for the diploma.
An $85 reissue fee will be assessed. Please note delivery time is 6-8 weeks.
Order Online: Orders for reissued diplomas can be placed through our official diploma vendor, Michael Sutter. Once at their site please click on the Request a Secure ID button. You will be required to enter credit card information. Note: Orders must be placed by the graduate.

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